Code Section Group

Vehicle Code - VEH

DIVISION 11. RULES OF THE ROAD [21000 - 23336]

  ( Division 11 enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3. )

CHAPTER 1. Obedience to and Effect of Traffic Laws [21000 - 21300]

  ( Chapter 1 enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3. )

ARTICLE 4.5. Operation of Pedicabs [21215 - 21215.5]
  ( Article 4.5 added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 496, Sec. 2. )

21215.
  

(a) A pedicab defined in subdivision (c) of Section 467.5 shall operate subject to all of the following requirements:

(1) The pedicab shall have a seating capacity for not more than 15 passengers.

(2) The pedicab shall be authorized by local ordinance or resolution to operate within the applicable local jurisdiction.

(3) The operator of the pedicab shall be at least 21 years of age, with a valid California driver’s license.

(4) The pedicab shall be equipped with seatbelts for all passengers, seat backs, brakes, reflectors, headlights, and grab rails. The pedicab shall be inspected annually for compliance with the requirements of this paragraph by an entity designated by the local jurisdiction that authorized the pedicab to operate. The entity may charge a reasonable fee to cover the costs of the inspection. A pedicab that does not meet these requirements shall meet these requirements by January 1, 2017, in order to continue operation.

(5) The operator of the pedicab shall at all times be able to establish financial responsibility in a minimum amount of one million dollars ($1,000,000) general liability insurance coverage and an additional five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) general umbrella insurance that covers the pedicab. The local jurisdiction that authorized the pedicab to operate may require additional proof of financial responsibility.

(6) A pedicab shall not operate on any highway under the jurisdiction of the local authority unless authorized by resolution or ordinance. A pedicab shall not operate on any freeway and shall not operate on any highway with a posted speed limit in excess of 30 miles per hour, except to cross the highway at an intersection.

(7) The operator of the pedicab shall annually report to the Department of the California Highway Patrol, commencing on January 1, 2016, any accidents caused or experienced by the pedicabs.

(8) The pedicab shall not load or unload passengers on roadways or in the middle of highways.

(9) Pedicabs shall be operated as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when necessary to overtake another vehicle, to avoid a stationary object, or when preparing to make a left turn.

(b) This article only applies to pedicabs defined by subdivision (c) of Section 467.5, and does not apply to pedicabs defined in subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 467.5.

(Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 496, Sec. 2. (SB 530) Effective January 1, 2016.)

21215.2.
  

(a) If alcoholic beverages are consumed on board the pedicab, a pedicab defined in subdivision (c) of Section 467.5 shall additionally operate subject to all of the following requirements:

(1) The consumption of alcoholic beverages onboard the pedicab shall be authorized by local ordinance or resolution.

(2) An onboard safety monitor who is 21 years of age or older shall be present whenever alcohol is being consumed by passengers during the operation of the pedicab. The onboard safety monitor shall not be under the influence of any alcoholic beverage and shall be considered as driving the pedicab for purposes of Article 2 (commencing with Section 23152) of Chapter 12 of Division 11 during the operation of the pedicab.

(3) Both the operator and safety monitor shall have completed either the Licensee Education on Alcohol and Drugs (LEAD) program implemented by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control or a training course utilizing the curriculum components recommended by the Responsible Beverage Service Advisory Board established by the Director of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

(4) Alcoholic beverages shall not be provided by the operator or onboard safety monitor or any employee or agent of the operator or onboard safety monitor of the pedicab. Alcoholic beverages may only be supplied by the passengers of the pedicab. All alcoholic beverages supplied by passengers of the pedicab shall be in enclosed, sealed, and unopened containers that have been labeled pursuant to Chapter 13 (commencing with Section 25170) of Division 9 of the Business and Professions Code prior to their consumption on board the pedicab.

(5) Alcoholic beverages may be consumed by a passenger of the pedicab only while the passenger is physically on board and within the pedicab.

(6) All passengers shall be 21 years of age or older if alcohol is consumed during the operation of the pedicab.

(7) For purposes of this subdivision, passengers who are pedaling the device are not operators.

(b) A license or permit from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control shall not be required of the operator or onboard safety monitor, so long as neither they, nor their employees or agents sell, serve, or furnish any alcoholic beverage to any passenger.

(c) For purposes of this section, “alcoholic beverage” has the same meaning as defined in Section 23004 of the Business and Professions Code.

(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 280, Sec. 1. (SB 543) Effective January 1, 2020.)

21215.5.
  

This article does not preclude a local authority from imposing more stringent operating or equipment requirements on a pedicab subject to this article.

(Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 496, Sec. 2. (SB 530) Effective January 1, 2016.)

VEHVehicle Code - VEH4.5.