2025-44

AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF TITLE FIVE OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND, REVISION OF 1994, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED, "BUSINESS LICENSES AND REGULATIONS."

BE IT ORDAINED by the City of Newport:

SECTION 1. Chapter 5.97 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Newport, RI, Revision of 1994, as amended, entitled, "Pedicab," is hereby further amended be

5.97.120. Regulations for pedicab operations.

A. It is unlawful for any person to operate, or cause to be operated, a pedicab during the hours of darkness, without using a headlight capable of projecting a beam of white light for a distance of three hundred (300) feet.

B. It is unlawful for any person to operate, or cause to be operated, a pedicab during the hours of darkness, without using battery-operated taillights mounted on the right and left respectively, at the same level on the rear exterior of the passenger compartment. Taillights shall be visible from all distances within five hundred (500) feet to the rear of the pedicab.

C. Pedicabs shall not operate between the hours of two a.m. and six a.m.

D. It is unlawful for any person to operate, or cause to be operated, a pedicab in an unsafe condition.

E. No driver shall stop or off-load passengers in any location which would disrupt the flow of traffic.

F. The operation will not appear to be designed to defraud any person.

G. There will be notices in each vehicle stating the charges and routes or methods of operation.

H. No drivers shall park in any restricted zones identified for other vehicles.

I. Pedicab operators shall not park at any time in the recessed parking area on America's Cup Avenue south of Long Wharf designated for bus parking.

J. Pedicab operators shall not park at any time in the turn area on the south side of Memorial Boulevard West at Thames Street.

K. Pedicab operators offering tours at the Humphrey J. Donnelly, III, Transportation and Visitors Center must register their vehicles in the visitors center and operate through the visitors center consolidated tour program.

L. Pedicabs shall be maintained in a business appearance acceptable to the public. This includes a clean interior and exterior appearance.

M. Nothing shall be transported in a pedicab that will cause the interior of such cab to become soiled or offensive to passengers because of odor or appearance.

DELETE PARAGRAPH N IN ITS ENTIREY

N. Smoking by operator or passengers in a pedicab is prohibited.

ADD IN LIEU THEREOF THE FOLLOWING:

N. Smoking of any cigar, cigarette, weed or plant product or pipe, including vaping apparatus by operator or passengers in a pedicab is prohibited.

O. All pedicab drivers must be dressed in a neat and professional manner.

P. It shall be unlawful to operate a pedicab in or upon any street in the city unless such operator has a valid U.S. driver's license and a pedicab operator permit.

Q. It shall be unlawful while the pedicab is in motion for the operator to collect fares, make change or embark or debark passengers.

R. It shall be unlawful to operate a pedicab upon a sidewalk.

S. It shall be unlawful to operate a pedicab wearing headphones.

T. It shall be unlawful to operate a pedicab more than one pedicab abreast, except when overtaking and passing another pedicab proceeding in the same direction.

U. It shall be unlawful for an operator to allow a passenger in the pedicab to drink or consume alcoholic beverages or to possess an open container of alcohol.

V. It shall be unlawful for an operator to drink or consume alcoholic beverages or to possess an open container of alcohol while operating the pedicab.

W. It shall be unlawful for an operator to refuse to provide a receipt in legible writing containing the name of the operator, the decal number, the total amount paid and the date of payment.

X. Pedicabs shall be operated in a manner as to be part of the normal traffic flow; provided, however, slower moving pedicabs shall safely pull temporarily to the side of streets and out of traffic flow so as to prevent unnecessary delays to following traffic.

SECTION 2. This ordinance shall take effect upon its passage and any ordinances or parts of ordinances inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed.

IN COUNCIL
READ AND PASSED
MAY 28, 2025

Laura C. Swistak, CMC
City Clerk