(a) It is unlawful for any person to operate or cause to be operated a pedicab unless the pedicab has been licensed and issued a pedicab license decal by the Commissioner pursuant to this section. The Commissioner shall provide a pedicab license decal to a pedicab licensee once the licensee has obtained a pedicab license and met the requirements of this chapter. Each pedicab in operation must be licensed. The pedicab license decal shall be affixed in a manner prescribed by the Commissioner by rule.
(b) The Commissioner shall deliver with each pedicab license a metal plate of such size and material as the Commissioner shall determine which shall bear the words: “City of Chicago” and the license number of the pedicab. Said metal plate must be affixed to the back side of the passenger carriage in a conspicuous and visible manner. In addition, each pedicab licensee shall be issued a decal with an identification number established by the Commissioner. The decal pertaining to the pedicab must be affixed on the metal plate on the back side of the passenger carriage in a place and position and in a conspicuous and visible manner, unobstructed by spare tires and advertisements displayed on the pedicab, and in a condition to be clearly legible. If a metal plate or decal is lost, stolen or damaged so as to require replacement, the licensee shall make application to the Commissioner for a duplicate plate or decal on forms provided by the Commissioner. In the case of a damaged plate or decal, the licensee shall return such plate or decal with such application. Upon receipt of an application and the payment of a replacement fee of $50.00 for a duplicate metal plate or $25.00 for a duplicate decal, the Commissioner shall issue a duplicate metal plate or decal to the licensee.
(c) Application for the issuance or renewal of a pedicab decal shall be made in writing to the Department on a form provided by the Commissioner and signed and sworn to by the licensee and a qualified technician not employed by the licensee. A pedicab license decal will be issued only for a pedicab that meets all of the following requirements:
(1) The pedicab must be no more than 55" wide and 120" long;
(2) The pedicab shall be equipped with:
(i) a functioning headlight capable of projecting a beam of white light for a distance of 500 feet;
(ii) functioning taillights mounted on the right and the left, respectively, at the same level on the rear exterior of the passenger compartment. Taillights shall be red in color and plainly visible from all distances within 500 feet to the rear of the pedicab;
(iii) hydraulic or mechanical disc or drum brakes, which are unaffected by rain or wet conditions;
(iv) spoke or wheel rim reflectors on each wheel of the pedicab;
(v) a seatbelt for all passengers or seatbelts for every passenger that secure the passengers in a safe manner to prevent personal injuries;
(vi) turn lights;
(vii) a bell or another similar audible signaling device; and
(viii) such other equipment as required by rules and regulations promulgated by the Commissioner.
(d) The total number of initial pedicab license decals to be issued shall not exceed 200 (two hundred). No licensee shall be issued, or shall control, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, more than 20 percent of the total number of pedicab license decals available to be issued. The Commissioner may increase the total number of pedicab license decals to be issued and may determine the percentage of pedicab license decals to be issued to a licensee by rules and regulation promulgated pursuant to this chapter. In making such determination, the Commissioner shall consider the impact that additional pedicabs may have on the safe and efficient flow of traffic in the city and shall consult with the Superintendent of Police and the Commissioner of Transportation, or their respective designees, before raising the number of pedicab license decals to be issued. If the Commissioner determines that there are more qualified applicants for pedicab license decals than the maximum number of decals that the Commissioner has set to issue at any given time, the Commissioner shall conduct a lottery or other neutral process for allocating decals among qualified applicants as set forth by rules promulgated by the Commissioner.
(e) A pedicab license decal is non-transferable. A pedicab license decal is valid for the duration of the pedicab license. If a pedicab license is not renewed on time, or the pedicab license is no longer valid, or the required insurance lapses, the pedicab license decal shall be void. If a licensee fails to renew a pedicab license, the licensee shall return the pedicab license decal and metal license plate to the Department within 30 days of the date of license expiration. Displaying an expired pedicab license decal or metal license plate shall be considered a deceptive business practice, subject to the sanctions under Section 2-25-090.
(f) Each pedicab license decal shall be numbered and the number of the pedicab license decal shall be painted or affixed on each side and back of each pedicab in a place and position and in a conspicuous and visible manner, unobstructed by spare tires and advertisements displayed on the pedicab, and in a condition to be clearly legible, pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the Commissioner. It shall be the responsibility of the licensee to paint or affix such number on the pedicab.
(g) To register a pedicab in order to secure a pedicab license decal, the pedicab licensee must provide a unique identification number associated with the pedicab, such as a manufacturer's stamp on the bottom bracket; or if there exists no stamp, the licensee must inscribe or engrave a unique identification number on the bottom bracket, and provide such unique identification number to the Department.
(h) If the licensee decides to change a pedicab within the licensing period, the licensee must submit a written request to the Commissioner and register the new pedicab. The Commissioner shall provide a duplicate metal plate and decal upon payment of the replacement fees provided in subsection (b) of this section.
(Added Coun. J. 4-30-14, p. 80633, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 10-8-14, p. 92379, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VI, § 5; Amend Coun. J. 4-17-24, p. 11059, § 1)