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Wish to function a pedicab in Portland? This is the take a look at you will need to cross

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Cycling

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One of many Radburro pedicabs coming quickly to South Waterfront!
(Photograph: Jonathan Maus/BikePortland)

“We wish to incentivize non-emitting pedicab-type automobiles on our streets. So we now have a less expensive allow course of for them.”
— Hannah Schafer, PBOT

Right here’s a pleasant tip: For those who love Portland are on the lookout for a aspect hustle, or perhaps a new enterprise to run, it is likely to be a very good time to think about pedicabs.

Based on the Metropolis of Portland there aren’t any lively, permitted pedicab corporations or drivers in operation for the time being. Covid doubtless worn out any of them that have been round earlier than early 2020. And with the post-Covid, get-outside-and-live-your-life growth that’s certain to come back this summer season (knocking on wooden as I kind that), plenty of new carfree areas and plazas downtown, and a pleasant new bike path about to open on Naito Parkway all alongside the Waterfront, we might be headed for a pedicab renaissance.

I’ve all the time beloved pedicabs for city exploration. They’re basically big bicycles with a sofa within the again that permit nearly anybody to benefit from the quiet, clear and calm expertise of transferring by the town with out a automotive.

(Two questions from the pedicab operators take a look at.)

Pedicabs have lengthy been a mainstay on Portland streets. In 2009, they have been a sufficiently big deal that former Metropolis Commissioner Dan Saltzman created a particular advisory committee to supervise modifications to the town’s pedicab insurance policies. Talking of which, Metropolis Council handed a raft of recent pedicab laws in 2015.

Final Friday on the Go By Bike birthday, Kiel Johnson (proper) rolled up in a really cool Rad Energy pedicab. Seems he’s partnering with Oregon Well being Sciences College (OHSU) for a brand new pedicab service that may ferry folks round South Waterfront.

Kiel Johnson can’t wait to pedal you round South Waterfront.

He talked about having to take a take a look at to get his pedicab allow and it piqued my curiosity. I had no concept Portland required pedicab drivers to take a take a look at!

After asking round I lastly obtained my fingers on the take a look at and thought it’d be enjoyable to share.

The 28-question take a look at consists of a lot of what you would possibly count on, like primary site visitors guidelines. It was enjoyable to see a query asking what a sharrow is and what inexperienced bike lane markings imply. One query asks: “The place are the very best eating places?” and I can solely assume the reply is “all the above”.

PBOT’s Hannah Schafer was additionally good sufficient to share just a few extra enjoyable pedicab factoids:

  • Pedicabs are regulated by the Personal For-Rent Transportation course of that’s much like what taxi and Uber/Lyft drivers undergo.
  • All operators should have a allow, enterprise license and legal responsibility insurance coverage to be legit.
  • PBOT does a motorized vehicle report background examine on all pedicab drivers (I can’t determine if I ought to discuss with them as “drivers” “operators” or “riders”).
  • Annual allow charges embody: $100 for the corporate, $25 for the motive force, $25 for the pedicab automobile. These are about one-fifth what a cab driver would pay, and Schafer says that’s as a result of they wish to encourage low-emission automobiles like pedicabs.

For those who’re interested by pedicabs both as an operator or a enterprise proprietor, try this web page on PBOT’s web site for extra info.