Pedicab Enforcement Agreement

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Pedicabbing In Austin

Suggested Pedicab Enforcement Agreement

The current enforcement agreement with the APD is woefully unsuited to the increased amount of pedicabs on the streets of Austin. In the interest of having a single set of outlines that both APD and pedicab shop owners can agree on and enforce unilaterally we formerly request a modification of the enforcement agreement with the following considerations:

1. Waiting Areas: Pedicabs shall be allowed to wait anywhere within the Austin City limits, so long as we pedicabs wait in a manner that complies with city code sections 12-2-13 and 12-2-15 as well as state transportation code section 545.302. This shall explicitly include in between cars in parking spaces, adjacent to crosswalks, on sidewalks, and behind barricaded areas open to pedestrians but not to cars.

2. Sidewalks: Travel on sidewalks is permitted, so long as travel occurs in compliance with sections 12-2-13 and 12-2-15 as well as state transportation code section 545.302.

3. One-way streets near closures: when a road is closed to vehicular traffic, pedicabs shall be permitted to travel in both directions on perpendicular roads for a 2-block radius in each direction. Example: when 6th st. is closed to cars, pedicabs are allowed to travel both North and South on San Jacinto between 5th and 6th St.s.

4. Specifically-designated pedicab waiting areas:
1. 2nd & Guadalupe
2. 4th & Colorado
3. 5th & Congress
4. 6th & Brazos
5. 6th & San Jacinto
6. 5th & Neches
7. 6th & Neches
8. Congress & Cesar Chavez
9. 6th & Rio Grande
10. 6th & West Ave
11. 6th & San Antonio
12. 6th & Nueces
13. 4th & Trinity
14. 6th & Red River

The old agreement can be viewed here.

Please email Tom Wald at tomwald@gmail.com if you have any productive input, or if you just want to thank him for all his help for the pedicab community.

If you have been involved in an accident:

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The following is re-posted with permission of http://cyclistlaw.com/

“Cyclists should immediately get the emergency care needed.
911 should be called immediately. DO NOT refuse medical attention. You may be in shock and/or not realize your injuries.

Make sure to get the drivers license number, license plate, and description of the car and other driver if it appears the police are not coming or the driver may leave the scene.
As close in time to the incident as possible, take as many notes as you can recall about the incident, include a diagram of the location, the vehicles, and your physical as well as property damages.
Make sure witness names, phone numbers, or some way of contacting them following the incident are collected.
DO NOT discuss liability with the driver of the other vehicle.

Keep your bike and the clothes you were wearing (no matter how soiled), and take photos of them as well as your injuries. These should not be thrown away.

You should call a bike accident or personal injury attorney to discuss your rights following a bike accident.

Riders, follow-up with your primary care physician. Your number one concern should be treating your injuries and getting well.

Do not speak to the insurance company of the person/company who injured you until you have contacted an attorney. Insurance companies will try to contact cyclists who have been injured. through an adjuster or attorney with one goal in mind, limit the amount of money the injured rider may be entitled to recover.
Investigation: Only trained professionals should investigate incidents causing severe injury. This will include speaking with witnesses and taking their statements. Photographs of the incident site will need to be taken by a trained individual who knows what to look for and preserve evidence as close in time to the incident as possible.

Non-traffic Related Bicycle Incidents: If your accident is not traffic related and you have been attacked by a dog or other animal it is urgent that you seek immediate emergency care. The Shefman Law Group has litigated numerous dog bite and dog mauling cases. Cyclists are often victims of dog attacks. It is important to know where the dog originated and who the owner is. We will investigate prior attacks by that same dog and handle your strict liability claim against the dog’s owner.”

Bikes Across Borders Pannier Workshop

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DirtNail Pedicab Is proud to partner with Bikes across borders to bring you a pannier workshop. The email form the coordinator is as follows. Everyone should join ride or just the list-serve google group as they are amazing people doing great things. Plus they have a huge adventure to mexico each year.

To: “bikesacrossborders@googlegroups.com”
Sent: Thursday, 1 December 2011, 12:46:01
Subject: Events; Bike graveyard @ Dirtnail avail; Panniers!

Hey BXBers:

Don’t forget 2 weeks from 2day:
Thur., Dec. 15th, 6:30pm MEET & EAT, dinner/mingle/info/benefit, loc. TBA

…and 2 weeks from 2esday:
Tue., Dec. 20th, 7:00pm PANNIERS, make-em at Dirtnail Pedicab shop

PANNIER STUFF (skip ahead for WHAT WE NEED IN THE KITCHEN & PACKING)

IF YOU WANT TO MAKE COROPLAST PANNIERS, YOU’LL NEED:
1″-1 1/2″ wide strips of wood, 1/2″ thick in lengths of at least 1′ (to reinforce the coroplast)
(1 strip per pannier)
this gives you an idea: http://kentsbike.blogspot.com/2007/01/tobys-coroplast-panniers-fenders.html

IF YOU WANT TO MAKE KITTY LITTER PANNIERS, YOU’LL NEED:
Kitty litter buckets (Ecology Action at 9th and I-35 has them)
this gives you an idea:

http://www.instructables.com/files/deriv/FJK/K7TD/FH6EBR5W/FJKK7TDFH6EBR5W.MEDIUM.jpg

EITHER WAY, YOU’LL ALSO NEED THE HARDWARE TO ATTACH THE PANNIERS!
E-mail or call with questions 512-203-1339,

STEPHEN of Dirtnail has offered the shop and has asked what tools we might need to use. Please e-mail me if you want to use tools other than: a drill & box cutters. He should be at the shop and available to answer questions about Dirtnail resources.

STILL DON’T HAVE A BIKE?
Stephen @ Dirtnail has offered his “bike graveyard” for pilfering parts and even a frame. There are frames at Rachel’s. Contact her or Roy to set up a time to pick one out. Yellow Bike hours for December are set at the meeting on Tuesday.

Dress Right to Pedicab in Winter

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Being able to pedicab in winter isn’t hard if you have the right gear. We are lucky in Austin to have a good 9 months of seasonable weather. For those rough three though, you need the right gear. Let’s start with the base layer and move outward. You

1. Good Base Layer Pearl Izumi Long Pant and Thermal Base-layer

2. Bike Shorts. There are all sorts. Take your Pick.

3. Jeans. This is so you don’t rip your good thermal stuff on your chain and seat. I just use some basic extra strong levis but if you are truly want the best Austin Pedicabbing has to offer you can buy these.
The Psychlisatx Also has some of the best accessories around, and the company is owned by a former Austin pedicabber, so you know they are legit.

4. Cycling Socks. Pearl Izumi

5. Long Sleeve Shirt Or Sweater. I think you guys can get this one on your own.

6. Long Athletic Socks. This is to protect your cycling socks and to tuck your jeans into so the bottoms don’t rip.

7. Gloves. Very important, as your hands are the most exposed and fathers away from your core. Do not skimp on these, or just wear normal gloves. Treat yourself.

8. Pick A hat.

9. Fleece Jacket

Put on your thermals first. Then, put on your bike shorts. Tuck your cycling socks into the thermals. Put on the your jeans and tuck them into your regular socks. The rest is self explanatory. The idea here is not just being warm. Having layers you can take on and off is critical to your comfort out there. Good luck. Winter pedicabbers are the toughest of the tough, and I have so much respect for you all.