Editorial: Self-defeating business

Thursday, March 4, 2004 | 8:54 a.m.

For good reasons -- safety concerns and illegal collection of money from tourists -- the Clark County Commission on Tuesday banned pedicabs from the resort corridor. Operators of the businesses hit upon the idea years ago: Hitch bicycles to carriages big enough for two or three people, then rent these "pedicabs" out to independent drivers. The businesses would profit from the rentals, and the drivers would receive tips from tourists who found the rides convenient.

Unfortunately for the businesses, the county defined them as "rental" companies, not transportation companies, meaning charging for rides was illegal. The county also determined that it was illegal for the drivers to collect tips.

This did not stop the proliferation of pedicabs. The largest business on the Strip provided work for 100 drivers. Aside from the illegal collections from tourists, safety became an issue. Pedestrians were muscled out of the way as drivers sped along sidewalks. Safety was jeopardized on the streets as pedicabs darted in and out of traffic, disregarding signs and lights. Drivers were not apt to be insured, creating liability problems. Tourists began complaining about drivers shaking them down for payments.

Enough was enough. The County Commission acted correctly in finally banning them.