City of Boulder Established New Pedal-Cab Licensing Requirements

The city has approved an ordinance establishing new licensing requirements for pedal-cab agencies and pedal-cab drivers. Beginning Oct. 3, 2026, it will be unlawful for a person to operate a pedal-cab agency or act as a pedal-cab driver within the City of Boulder without the required license. 

A pedal-cab agency is a person or business engaged in transporting people for hire using one or more pedal-cabs. A pedal-cab driver is any person who drives a pedal-cab, including an agency owner, employee or independent contractor working with an agency. Pedal-cab agency licenses expire March 1 of each year.

To obtain pedal-cab agency and driver’s licenses, applicants must:

• Agencies:
  • Complete the City of Boulder pedal-cab agency license application.
  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Have a valid Colorado driver’s license.
  • Provide proof of required insurance coverage.
  • Pay the applicable application and license fees.
  • List all pedal-cab drivers on the application
• Drivers must also:
  • Authorize the city to obtain a Colorado Bureau of Investigation background report
  • Provide a Motor Vehicle history from the Department of Motor Vehicles
  • Be listed on a pedal-cab agency license

• Pay the applicable application and license fees.

• Provide proof of required insurance if the driver is not insured through a licensed pedal-cab agency.

Licensed pedal-cab agencies will have ongoing responsibilities, including: 

• Posting the agency license in a conspicuous location at the principal place of business. 
• Keeping the city informed of the agency's local principal place of business and notifying the Licensing Division of any address change within 10 business days. 
• Notifying the Licensing Division within three business days when a pedal-cab driver is hired, resigns, is terminated, or is suspended. 
• Maintaining the required insurance coverage throughout the license period. 

Requirements while operating a pedal-cab include: 

• Pedal-cab drivers are subject to the rights and duties applicable to bicycle riders under the city's traffic regulations. 
• Posting the agency license showing that they are a licensed pedal-cab driver in a conspicuous place while operating in the City of Boulder. 
• Pedal-cab agencies and drivers may not offer, sell, serve, deliver or give away products while performing pedal-cab activities within the City of Boulder. This includes, but is not limited to, food, water, alcoholic beverages and other items. 

The city encourages pedal-cab agencies and drivers to begin the licensing process before the Oct. 3 effective date to ensure they can continue operating in compliance with city regulations. 

More information, applications, forms, insurance requirements and licensing instructions can be found on the city’s website.

For questions about the new pedal-cab licensing requirements, please contact City of Boulder Regulatory Licensing at licensingonline@bouldercolorado.gov, or call 303-441-4192.