Columbus approves pedal cabs, bans commercial scooters

The city of Columbus will start regulating pedal cabs under an ordinance that received final approval from Columbus City Council Tuesday night. Pedal cabs are used to shuttle paying passengers on a fixed route. They are powered by a single pilot with an electric motor.

The ordinance requires a $200 per pedal cab licensing fee, proof of insurance and a check of the criminal backgrounds of operators and company officials. In addition, all pedal cab operators must register each of their vehicles with the Office of Community Development.

The ordinance also bans commercial rental scooter operations in the city until such time as officials come up with rules covering their use.

Many larger cities have struggled with a surge of interest by businesses in providing the rental scooters to tourists and others. Issues in other cities have focused on the safety of the scooters, their use on sidewalks and the clutter they bring. Most scooter companies allow the devices to be abandoned once they reach their destination and until they are rented by another customer.

Council stresses that the ordinance doesn’t ban personal use of these scooters.

The council vote was unanimous.