SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — From Seaport Village and Little Italy to the Gaslamp Quarter, visitors can’t escape the call of a pedicab, but some residents feel like they’re ripping people off.

“These tourists think they’re just going for a fun little ride and then it turns out it costs about $100,” said Wally Gallo, who works at a store in Seaport Village.

“It should be upfront and they should stick to whatever they’re told,” said Kristen Jensen, a San Diego resident. But this is often not the case.

Around 100 homeless people receive sleeping coats

“We’re going to require prices to be posted on both sides of the pedicab and we’re going to require prices to be agreed upon in advance,” District 3 City Council member Stephen Whitburn said.

On Monday, the City Council voted unanimously in favor of amendments to the city code that will regulate speakers in pedicabs and require drivers to clearly display their license and fare.

“Not only will amplified music be banned, but they won’t be allowed to have speakers on pedicabs at all,” Whitburn said.

Man to cross Pacific Ocean from San Diego to Australia on solo rowboat

Matt Williams has been driving pedicabs in downtown San Diego for 25 years, but he says the drivers who draw complaints are ruining the situation for everyone.

“It gives us all a bad name, you know. It makes us all look bad,” Williams said.

He supports stricter regulations and says it’s in the best interest of the community.

“It’s definitely a good thing because, especially at night, it will prevent more people from getting scammed and all that,” Williams added.

Other pedicab drivers oppose stricter regulations, arguing that banning music would be detrimental to the industry.

“If music is banned, we’re actually going to lose about 70 percent, not 50 percent of our business,” said Sam, a public commentator.

Whitburn says the new laws will likely take effect by the end of the year.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports and streaming video, visit FOX 5 San Diego and KUSI News.