Siesta Key Association to advocate for pedicab regulations

The arrest of a Siesta Key pedicab driver in March, who was found to be a Texas-registered sex offender, caused the Siesta Key Association to investigate the rules and regulations surrounding these businesses on Siesta Key.

In March, Jordan Tamez was stopped after a man told Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office deputies that Tamez had given him counterfeit bills as change. When the deputies identified Tamez, they learned he was a registered sex offender and wanted in Texas, and had failed to register in Sarasota County. 

Michael Shay, SKA president, started making calls after hearing about the incident, and he discovered that Sarasota County doesn’t regulate its pedicab businesses. There are no licensing or business insurance requirements. 

Shay proposed at April’s SKA meeting and to the Siesta Key Village Association that they should work with the county to establish regulations to monitor these kinds of for-tips businesses — but he said he didn’t want Draconian rules.

“I don’t want to drive anyone out of business — I think it would protect residents and visitors,” Shay said.

The city of Sarasota has a regimented program for vehicles-for-hire, which includes taxis, low-speed vehicles and pedicabs. Companies must be licensed, get vehicle inspections, review employee criminal history and check driving records every year. 

The application is $100 for a business license, plus $30 per vehicle permit and $35 per driver’s licensing annually. Driver’s licensing is $20 for an annual renewal.

Shay wants SKA to work with the county to devise standards for requiring a basic background check and proof of insurance.

Businesses and individuals can get a local background check completed by the Sheriff’s Office for $25.

 “Homeowners and visitors need to be protected. I think that’s critical,” Shay said. “We need the pedicabs and golf cart guys — not debating or questioning that. I just want them to be legal.”

Some companies already have protection, however. Johnny’s Original Free Rides, which operates both vans and golf carts, requires drivers to have a safe driving record and insures its vehicles. 

Glen Cappetta, owner of Sun Rides Pedicab and a board member of SKVA, supports regulations but said he suggested the county needed to have control years ago, when businesses like his and others began to gain popularity.

Cappetta does state background checks on his drivers and has $1 million worth of commercial liability insurance. His five pedicabs have seat belts and lights. 

“Every business should have commercial liability insurance,” he said. “I support fair requirements. I’ve been asking for this for three years.”