Bicycle food vendors will be allowed to peddle their wares on streets in Victoria and in most city parks this summer under a pilot program approved by councillors Thursday.
“I think it’s an awesome idea. I’m really quite thrilled,” said Coun. Marianne Alto.
Results of the project will help in a review of the regulations dealing with bicycle vendors, food trucks and street vending now underway, city staff say.
Coun. Margaret Lucas said it’s important to run the pilot project to see what works and what doesn’t before moving too far with bylaw changes.
City clerk Chris Coates said recommendations for bylaw amendments will address issues such as hours of operation and noise.
City staff say there is a growing demand for street vending as residents are looking for more dynamic and diverse use of public spaces and entrepreneurs are increasingly interested in opening mobile food operations.
“I think there will be uptake. This is a really small-scale entrepreneur activity and we’ll see what happens,” said Mayor Lisa Helps.
Coun. Jeremy Loveday agreed, saying the mobile carts will “be an exciting opportunity to give entrepreneurs a shot at small business success and it will add more life and vibrancy to our streets.”
Loveday said a one-year pilot project, especially given the short notice, may not be enough time and council might have to consider extending it a second year to weigh the pros and cons.
Currently, three mobile food vendors are grandfathered and permitted to operate on city property. No new food vendors, including food trucks, carts and bicycles, have been permitted to operate on streets for years under the city’s street-vendor bylaw. Food trucks are, however, allowed to operate on private property.
Coun. Geoff Young said care has to be taken ensure mobile vendors enhance the downtown experience without unduly impacting brick and mortar operations.
“It’s important when these bylaws are being designed in detail that we have a very clear idea in mind of what we want to achieve. Merely transferring the sale of an item from a taxpaying business to somebody who has bought himself a bicycle cart is not, in itself, adding to the vitality of the city although it can do so,” Young said.
Staff are recommending that vendors using bicycles be permitted on all city streets and in parks, for up to 30 minutes at a time.
The bike vendors would not be allowed in several locations, including:
• Beacon Hill Park, because of the 1882 trust that prohibits commercial activity.
• Inner Causeway, which is under the authority of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority.
• Within 30 metres of grade schools on school days between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
• Too close to businesses that sell ice cream.
Councillors also agreed to staff recommendations that street vending be allowed in front of shops during special days such as Car Free Day and occasions when portions of Government Street are closed to vehicles.
The existing bylaw allows for a small portion of the sidewalk to be used for the sale of fresh produce, limited to one-fifth of the sidewalk. The only non-food vending currently permitted is newspaper hawkers.
The staff report says a large number of sidewalk displays downtown are not in compliance with the bylaw — either selling non-permitted goods or using too much of the sidewalk.
