Council leans toward limiting pedicab and horse-drawn carriage services while allowing regulated shuttles

City staff told council that Chapter 138 of the city code — which covers vehicles-for-hire including pedicabs, horse‑drawn carriages and shuttles — is outdated and requires either a full overhaul or removal of commercial pedicab operations from the public right of way.

The mayor and multiple council members expressed safety and enforcement concerns. Assistant Chief Dave Blevins said pedicabs operating in the downtown grid would create an enforcement burden and raise safety risks because the downtown network has tight streets and high pedestrian traffic: "It seems like just an overall enforcement nightmare," he said.

Staff recommended removing commercial pedicab operations from the right of way; they noted the alternative would require a multi‑department work group, public input and several months to draft updated operating rules, loading/unloading zones, depot requirements and hours. Councilmembers generally supported the staff recommendation to restrict pedicab services and expressed similar reservations about horse‑drawn carriages, citing animal welfare and limited right‑of‑way space. Several members, however, supported a measured permitting program for motorized shuttle services (private operators) and asked staff to prepare a franchise/ordinance and curb‑management plan for regulated shuttle stops and routes.

Staff will send the pedicab recommendation and a draft shuttle framework to the city’s transportation advisory board and return to council with ordinance text and enforcement options.