Bike Taxis Downtown!

[Bike Jax]

because Jax Beach won't give us a Vehicle for Hire Permit because we are not motorized.

This needs press coverage. [Hello...? TU staff lurkers? Here is a good story for you.] I can't believe they're giving you a hard time about bicycles. What...do they want a cut or something??

I have already talked with Jax Bike Taxi and am meeting with him this evening. I have also been in contact with a couple of other larger media friends and are at this moment working out how best to proceed with this in matter.

Hopefully we can get this issue in the open and find out why Jax Beach supersedes the State of Florida, Duval County and The City Of Jacksonville. All Of which have had no problem licensing and permitting Jax Bike Taxi.

[thebrokenforum]

It makes no sense whatsoever and sounds like someone's personal agenda. I hope this story gets out. If anything bike taxi service is an asset to the beaches that helps reduce the ongoing parking problem. Bike taxis are convenient and fun! I would love to see some quotes by city of Jax beach regarding why they are so opposed. Brought to the public I can't see anyone having a problem with bike taxis at the beach...except maybe cab drivers. Maybe the cab driver mafia has made threats...?

[JaxBikeTaxi]

We started operations in Jax Beach during the Putt n' Crawl and we have had nothing but a positive response.  We've given rides to bar hoppers, taken inebriated guests through the drive-thru late at night, and taken residents home.  From a public saftey perspective we help along those that are too drunk to walk and we give residents a better option than having to walk home alone in the dark.  We haven't had any issues with traffic since the beach is full of bicyclists anyway.  We don't threaten the business of taxi cab companies because we are limited in the distance we are able to travel.  If anything we help them out a little by allowing them to concentrate on longer distance runs and we even give their potential clients rides to the taxi staging area outside the Ocean Club.  If the cab companies want something to worry about they should worry about the FREE Beaches Trolley that takes people from JTB to Atlantic Blvd.  It seems that Jax Beach is not so much oblivious to the potential the area possesses but rather they are actively taking measures to avoid the change that growth inevitably brings.  Ironically it's this growth that many residents and visitors would like to see.

[thebrokenforum]

I agree with you 100% and you make a great point about the trolley. So I have no clue as to why they won't permit you. The points you raise about safety are awesome. I mean, would they rather have a bike taxi taking people home or have people driving drunk? Seems pretty simple when you put it that way. I'm dying to know their reasoning.

I seriously hope you get some press with this and that you get your permits. Your service is a cool one and needed. 

[thebrokenforum]

Any updates on this story?

[JaxBikeTaxi]

I have started another thread to keep track of what is going on with the Jax Beaches issue to avoid having to repost it in different areas and keep everything in one spot.  Thanks.
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,2753.0.html