Rickshaws will be able to continue operating freely on the streets of Galway for the rest of the summer after a proposed new set of bylaws was kicked into touch at Monday’s council meeting.
In April, it was announced that the Galway City Council would introduce bylaws for the operation of rickshaws and any other “non-motorised passenger transport” in the city.
A number of councillors felt the operation of rickshaws needed to be regulated. “We cannot continue to have people driving these around the city picking up the public, charging a fee, and answerable to no one,” said Mayor Michael J Crowe at the time.
The proposed bylaws were put on public display to allow for submissions and observations, and amendments were made to address the concerns of rickshaw operators.
Under the proposed bylaws, those applying to operate a rickshaw or hackney carriage must have valid public liability insurance cover with an approved insurance company. The permitted number of passengers must be no more than “three adults”.
Rickshaws shall operate on public roads only and not in pedestrianised streets between 3am and 10pm, or on footpaths, public open green spaces, Kennedy Park in Eyre Square, the prom, and public beaches.
Rickshaw and hackney carriage operators must display their current fares on their vehicle and there will be specific set down areas for rickshaws at William Street and Eyre Square West.
Despite this, the vote on the bylaws was deferred until the September meeting. As a result rickshaws can potentially continue to operate on pedestrianised streets, if the driver so chooses, for the next six weeks.
