The Gainesville City Commission unanimously passed an ordinance to regulate the bicycle cabs and rickshaws that give rides for tips and donations during game days.
The ordinance was first suggested in an October commission meeting as an answer to the problem of too many pedi-cabs on the streets near the campus.
Drivers will have to wear identification and display a vehicle-for-hire permit on the cab, as well as a license plate.
The rickshaws will also be required to have turn signals, head- and taillights and side-view mirrors.
Alejandro Ramos, owner of local bicycle-cab service Gainesville Rickshaws, said he expects the ordinance to increase business because it will discourage companies from Orlando, who often come to Gainesville on game days and don't act professional.
"Sometimes they don't have lights or good brakes," he said.
Ramos said despite the initial cost of bringing his company up to the standards of the new ordinance, he is excited about its passing.
"It'll help me more than it will hurt me," he said. "I'm really excited about it."
Early in the meeting, Viola Moore, mother of a resident in the soon-to-close low-income housing development Seminary Lane, also spoke before the commission in a plea to help the residents there.
Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan said that the commission is working with the city to provide funding for Seminary Lane tenants to transfer their utilities and pay for other moving expenses.
The commission also approved the annexation of a piece of privately owned property on Southwest Williston Road for development use.
Seven members of the community spoke against the annexation, saying they were worried that the land will become overdeveloped and create a traffic problem similar to those on 34th Street and Archer Road. One speaker pointed out that there are already too many unsold houses in Gainesville.
Hanrahan emphasized that the owner of the land is legally allowed to develop, and the choice is only whether it will be under city or county jurisdiction.
"Our hands are tied under state law," she said. "Is it a great idea for someone to be building right now? Maybe, maybe not. But that's not the decision before the city commission."
