July 4, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Pedicab Company Takes Advantage Of New Santa Monica Ordinance:

Santa Monica’s first registered pedicab company is now in operation after Jose Prats launched his pedal powered taxi service called LA Bike Taxi last Thursday.

The newly launched service provides tourists and residents in downtown Santa Monica with an alternative to contending with local traffic.

The Santa Monica City Council unanimously approved an ordinance in April to allow pedicabs to operate in most of Santa Monica.

Prats said he discovered his passion for bikes after founding adoptabikela.com, which specializes in restoring vintage road bikes.

“I got involved in biking and I loved it,” Prats said. “I started LA Bike Taxi after looking for my next venture to get into. I love Santa Monica and I was motivated to come to Santa Monica first and start this service safely and effectively.”

Although only currently operating within Santa Monica city limits, Prats hoped to expand to other areas of Los Angeles.

“Hollywood and Downtown LA are congested and need a better way for people to get around, so we hope to expand to these areas,” he said.

Prats and his pedicab drivers can be flagged down for a ride near the Third Street Promenade, or they can be contacted via phone or through the LA Bike Taxi website. “Our rides may involve going around the Third Street Promenade, Main Street, or shuttling people to their respective hotels,” Prats said.

LA Bike Taxi will soon introduce the ability to track pedicab drivers through the company’s website. The “locate bike taxi” tab on the site will open an app which will lead people to bike taxi locations.

Since beginning service last Thursday, its drivers are still figuring out ways to target certain people.

“We are currently focusing on well-populated areas and then we will work on ways to target more locals and make it part of their routine,” Prats said.

The pedicabs, which LA Bike Taxi owns and then leases to drivers, can safely accommodate up to five people.

“Five people is our limit, and this might include three adults and two children,” Prats said.

LA Bike Taxi is currently looking to hire new drivers. The company’s drivers must be aged 18 or older and have a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record. Additionally, drivers must be able to pull 500 to 800 pounds for six to eight hours a day.

As a new company, the price of a ride is negotiable.

“Since we are new we ask the customer if they think our price is fair,” Prats said. “A lot of times they agree with the set price, which is currently $2 per block per person.”

Prats said this price may be subject to change, however, as he is considering lowering the price to $1 per block per person.

Aside from offering an alternative to driving, LA Bike Taxi’s mission is to help reduce the high emissions that accompany the transportation system.

LA Bike Taxi is also part of the “1% for the Planet” movement.

“The 1% for the Planet movement is a certification for donating at least one percent of our earnings to charity,” Prats said.

Through their 1% for the Planet membership, the company will donate a certain amount of money to non-profit environmental group Heal the Bay, which is committed to protecting beaches, oceans, and rivers.

When choosing to take a ride with LA Bike Taxi, Prats said customers not only get to experience scenic Santa Monica, but they also get to contribute to a worthy foundation.

For more information about LA Bike Taxi, visit labiketaxi.com.

in News
<>Related Posts

Col. Eric Swenson Honored by LA for Historic Debris Removal Effort

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Swenson, with a distinguished military background including a Ph.D. and multiple master’s degrees from Penn State and other institutions, has...

(Video) A visit to New York Bagel & Deli in Santa Monica

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Authentic NY Style Bagels with Extra Creamy Cream Cheese and Multi-Cultural Desserts. Located at 2216 Wilshire Blvd. A visit to...

(Video) Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Go To Homefrontbuild.com For More Information @home_front_build Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles. Go...

(Video) Gladstone’s Malibu Prepares for Reopening after Surviving Palisades Fires

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

With One Half of its Structure Slightly Charred and Undergoing Repairs, Gladstone’s Malibu is Reopening its Patio Space Just in...

Santa Monica Public Library Launches Community Mapping Survey

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

The initiative aims to shape the library’s programs and services to better meet community needs, fostering an inclusive and accessible...

Third Street Promenade Loses Bibibop Asian Grill

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Bibibop opened at the Santa Monica location in 2017 after taking over a former ShopHouse space Bibibop Asian Grill, a...

Proposed Rebuilding Authority for Wildfire Recovery Sparks Local Control Debate

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Plan Aims to Streamline Rebuilding but Raises Questions Over Community Input A proposed “Resilient Rebuilding Authority” to oversee recovery from...

Pentagon Orders Troop Drawdown in LA: 150 National Guard Members Reassigned to Wildfire Duty

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Federal Forces Begin Partial Withdrawal From Protest Response as California Leaders Push Back U.S. Northern Command announced Tuesday that 150 National Guard...

(Video) ‘World’s Strongest Man’ Champion Pulls Big Blue Bus for 30 feet

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

World-class strongman Martins Licis pulled a 34,680‑pound, 35-feet long, battery electric bus through the Pier to set off Pier 360...

California Highway Patrol Deploys for Independence Day Enforcement Surge

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

All Available Officers to Hit California Highways for Holiday Weekend As Californians gear up for Fourth of July festivities, the...

Court Postpones Arraignment for Driver in Malibu Crash That Killed Four Students

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Fraser Michael Bohm Faces Murder Charges in Fatal PCH Wreck  The arraignment for Fraser Michael Bohm, the 23-year-old man accused...

More Commercial Uses Could Be Coming to RAND Building

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Amendment Unlocks New Opportunities, Secures $5.5 Million in Community Benefits The Santa Monica Planning Commission unanimously approved an amendment to...

People are Using Palisades for “Disaster Tours.” Local Officials Are Trying to Stop Them

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

A new motion introduced to City Council requests a coordinated strategy from LADOT, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the...

Santa Monica Favorite Esters Rebrands as Esters Wine Shop & Oyster Bar

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

New Concept Launches With French-Spanish Flair and Free Bubbles Esters Wine Shop, the fave Parisian-style wine bar in downtown Santa...

Letter to the Editor: Santa Monica’s Great Park: It’s Time to Deliver on 100 Years of Promise

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

Santa Monica stands at the edge of history. For nearly a century, residents have consistently supported turning the airport land...