Photo by sciascia.

As promised, the District of Columbia released new guidelines for pedicab operators this morning, including regulations on seatbelt use, brakes and sober operation of said vehicles. The regulations — which are presented on an emergency basis (because, according to the notice, “the pedicab industry will not be able to deliver safe service to visitors and residents of the District” unless the regulations are adopted immediately) — technically went into effect on August 1.

So, the basics: pedicabs are only allowed to use public streets and operators aren’t allowed to drive ’em while drunk. (Both rules that were already pretty clear, I think.) As for the new laws, there’s nothing that we didn’t already know was coming: each pedicab now needs a seatbelt for each customer or one that covers all customers, brakes that are unaffected by wet conditions (much like the ones that Bikeshare cycles are equipped with), and other safety equipment, like bells, turn signals, head lamps and reflectors. The notice also puts into effect rules that have been floated since the spring, like prohibitions for pedicabs to use roads with a speed limit above 30 or drop passengers off in a way that blocks traffic, parking or pedestrians.

Of course, having the regulations is one thing; enforcing them is quite another.