Business & Tech

Santa Monica's First Licensed Pedicab Business Hits the Streets

The business was the first to be licensed under the city's new guidelines for pedicabs, which were approved by the City Council in May.

Santa Monica's busy streets now have another form of transportation with pedicab rides being offered from the newly permitted L.A. Bike Taxi. 

Jose Prats, owner of L.A. Bike Taxi, told Santa Monica Patch that his business began offering rides Thursday. Pedicabs, used mostly by tourists, are known by other names, like cycle rickshaws. They are similar to taxi cabs, but are human-powered.

"There's lots of people that were pointing at us and smiling and surprised to see Pedicabs in Santa Monica," Prats said. 

The business was the first to be licensed under the city's new guidelines for pedicabs, which were approved by the City Council in May

Four drivers from L.A. Bike Taxi have been licensed, according to Salvador Valles, Santa Monica's Business and Revenue Operations Manager.
 
After six months, the Santa Monica City Council will review a report on the number of licensed pedicabs, which will not be allowed on the Beach Bike Path.

Prats said his drivers were out scouting the best locations to pick up fares on Thursday, and that he will continue to hire and add cabs as his business grows. He said for now he plans to focus on the areas around the Santa Monica Pier, Ocean Boulevard and the Third Street Promenade. 

As part of the licensing process, Prats and his drivers underwent a safety class at Santa Monica Spokes

"We are very conscious to be safe and operate in the right manner," he said.

Prats said the best part about his business is that he can transport people without using fuel. 

"Santa Monica is great for pedicabs because there is a lot of congestion and there are a lot of people who want to get through there," Prats said.

He is also planning to donate proceeds to Heal the Bay as part of the 1 Percent for the Planet program. 

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