A pedicab ordinance enacted by the City Council in October is one step closer to enforcement. City officials have now completed the distribution of 250 restricted-zone decals to pedicab owners and operators, said Lt. Tim Saelens of the San Diego Police Department’s Traffic Division. Pedicab owners or operators doing business in any of the four restricted zones — which include downtown, Mission Beach/Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach and La Jolla — will be required to display the official decal. The rules became effective March 19. City officials will now issue written warnings to violators during a 30-day grace period that began March 19. After the grace period, any owner or operator not displaying a decal will be subject to a citation, according to police officials. The area encompassing the Downtown Zone is bordered by the south curb line of Ash Street between San Diego Bay and 11th Avenue; the east curb line of 11th Avenue between Ash Street and C Street; the north curb line of C Street between 11th Avenue and 14th Street and; the east curb line of 14th Street between C Street and San Diego Bay, according to the city’s municipal code. Saelens said the city began exploring the issues surrounding pedicabs several years ago when a group of business owners, residents and pedicab owners approached the city with a variety of concerns, including safety hazards, traffic congestion and accidents attributed to the pedicabs, Saelens said. Saelens noted that pedicab owners and operators had complained thwew were too many pedicab bicycles operating in the area and the increased competition made it difficult to make money. In addition to limiting the number of pedicabs that are allowed to operate in restricted zones, the ordinance also establishes rules governing mandatory seatbelts, parking areas, passenger seating requirements, exterior markings and lighting, and the posting of the fare schedules. According to a March 3 report to the City Council, program organizers issued 215 restricted-zone decals to existing pedicab owners and operators, and held a lottery to determine who would receive the remaining 35 decals. The permits will be up for renewal every year, Saelens said.