After nixing the idea of e-scooters buzzing along the streets and sidewalks of Monterey, city officials instead have turned their attention to regulating bicycle-powered cabs, or pedicabs, which were previously strongly discouraged.

Next month the council will vote on a final ordinance setting the regulations for the pedal-powered rickshaws. The regulations primarily address safety issues, something pedicab owners seem to fully agree with.

“It’s very typical,” said Aidan Hosler, owner of Rainbow Rickshaw in Santa Cruz after being read the regulations. “I’ll be in Monterey in a heartbeat. I already have a guy who wants to ride in Monterey.”

Among the regulations are:

• Operators must pay a $194.12 fee that is calculated on the time a Monterey Police Department services assistant to process the permit.

• No one younger than 21 may operate a pedicab.

• Operators must possess liability insurance.

• Passenger fares must be posted in the pedicab vehicle.

• Pedicabs must park in the same parking spaces as cars.

• Permits can be revoked if the operator is convicted of a violent crime.

• Permits can be revoked if the operator is convicted of any misdemeanor or felony driving under the influence charge.

• Permits can be revoked if the operator is convicted of any sex crime that requires them to register as sex offender.

Again, Hosler agrees with the requirements, particularly with the need for background checks.

“We are transporting vulnerable, often intoxicated people,” he said. “People are operating illegally in Monterey and that’s a concern.”

Hosler tells the story of giving a guy a ride and at the end the passenger handed him a $100 bill. “What’s this for?” Hosler asked. “It’s a lot cheaper than a DUI,” the passenger replied.

Hosler said pedicabs were prohibited in the past in Monterey, but that gets kind of dicey. Elizabeth Caraker, the housing and community development manager, said pedicabs have always been allowed by California Vehicle Code.

Before being removed earlier this month, e-scooters could be seen all over CSU Monterey Bay and into Marina. The concept is that the e-scooters are left on sidewalks and the next rider who comes along pays for it via an app, and when that rider gets to his or her destination it is just left for the next rider.

Therein is the rub. A number of Monterey residents, like Pete Wynn, a recreational cyclist, and Marc Kelley, told council members they were concerned about the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians on the Recreation Trail.

Frank and Michelle Knight asked the council to think about safety and existing congestion on the Rec Trail as well as e-scooters creating clutter.

After listening to residents’ concerns, the council voted unanimously to restrict e-scooters and focus on pedicabs.