Starting October 1, the City of Houston will begin towing and impounding any pedicabs operating without a yellow permit sticker on their seat posts.
“Whenever we have large events, we see an influx of out-of-town pedicabs that aren’t licensed by the city,” said Billy Rudolph from the city’s administration and regulatory affairs division.
A pedicab permit costs $353, covering inspection and administrative fees. Operating without one results in a $500 fine.
“Citations don’t always deter them, but towing might make them reconsider,” Rudolph added.
Alonso Quintanilla, founder of Rollout Productions Pedicab, supports the stricter enforcement. “There has to be a limit, and if they won’t comply, that’s the consequence,” said Christopher Sprott, one of his drivers.
Along with the required pedicab permits, drivers must also be licensed, and companies must carry a $1 million liability insurance policy to protect passengers in case of accidents.
Currently, the city has licensed 133 pedicabs and 170 drivers. More information on the permitting process is available on the Houston Permitting Center’s website.
