Pedicab complaints during San Diego Comic-Con

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The Comic-Con crowd is mostly long gone, leaving San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter with memories of celebrity sightings, outrageous costumed patrons, and most importantly the buzzing animation splashed across downtown.

”It was good to see the vitality of the city,” said Tony Titanium, a long-time downtown resident.

Just 24 hours later, the pedicab drivers say they are already missing the crowds.

“I like it, it’s the most fun, especially Comic-Con with all the costumes. It’s way enjoyable,” said Shawn Swift, a pedicab driver.

With Comic-Con in the rear view mirror, the city and disgruntled residents are once again focusing on pedicabs they say are causing problems downtown.

“Disco music blaring, hip hop music blaring. People on the pedicabs making all kinds of noise at 2 or 3 in the morning in a residential district, not right,” said one long-time resident.

Pedicab riders say the city is regulating their industry constantly and trying to kill the vibe.

“I feel like getting rid of the music is really going to decrease from the fun factor that happens down here,” said Swift.

But some people have also complained about being gouged by pedicab drivers who might not give a price prior to the ride.

Shawn Swift says these drivers are giving his industry a bad name. Swift said he is even thinking of putting a sign on his pedicab that says “I don’t charge crazy like the other guys,” said Swift.

The city is kicking around the idea of creating a uniform price in order to build trust with tourists. Swift says he hopes they don’t have any major changes, but admits he’d like to see bad actors reined in.

“That’s a relationship that will take a while to turn around, but it could be done,” said Swift.

The City Council plans on taking up the new ordinances in September.

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