Category: News

Broadway’s Latest Drama: “Rogue” Pedicabs Turn Up the Volume and the Chaos

Midtown’s theater district is battling a noisy new antagonist: unlicensed pedicabs that blast catchy New-York anthems while jockeying for tips outside stage doors. Actors, ushers, and frustrated locals say the bikes are drowning out dialogue, clogging sidewalks, and pushing theatergoers into busy streets.

“They park an hour before curtain call, crank up the speakers, and charge whatever they can,” said Kenneth Winter, a 22-year veteran driver and spokesperson for the New York Pedicab Alliance. “They’re like piranhas—out to make the biggest haul per ride.”

Although a valid pedicab license costs under $50 a year, it also requires liability insurance that can run thousands—one reason, Winter says, so many post-pandemic newcomers operate without a permit and demand sky-high fares.

Noise creeps inside the theaters

Belasco Theatre security guard Pete Tarr often hears “Empire State of Mind” echoing through the lobby mid-performance. “We’ll ask them to turn it down,” he said. “Most of the time we just get the finger back.”

Staff at other playhouses report the same headache. “They create a real problem,” a Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre guard noted.

City Council targets the din

Fed-up council members Erik Bottcher and Keith Powers have drafted a bill that would ban pedicabs from idling within 50 feet of any Broadway house, citing “excessive noise and routine harassment.” Bottcher insists the measure will “bring order to the chaos outside stage doors and let performers do their jobs.”

Drivers divided

John Aybaz, a 26-year-old driver from Turkey, concedes he pumps music to draw crowds—“but only after the show’s over,” he said. “It’s unfair to punish everyone for a few bad apples. If we can’t wait outside, we’ll lose business.”

Winter is also skeptical of a blanket ban. He favors strict action against unlicensed operators and wants seized bikes permanently impounded. “Moving them 50 feet down the block doesn’t solve fraud,” he argued, pointing to tourists hit with $300 to $400 bills for ten-minute spins.

Police step up enforcement

The NYPD calls pedicabs a “chronic quality-of-life issue.” Between Nov. 1, 2024 and Jan. 31, 2025, Midtown North and South precincts issued 965 summonses and seized 425 unauthorized cabs—though many are returned once ticket disputes are settled.

Neighborhood concerns grow

David Stuart, who leads a Hell’s Kitchen block association, says congestion forces pedestrians into traffic as shows let out. Times Square Alliance chief Tom Harris echoes the safety fears: “When theaters empty, streets jam. Pedicabs only add to it.”

Yet some theatergoers take the hubbub in stride. Actor Ezra Knight, currently in Othello at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, compares it to sirens and garbage trucks: “Just another New York soundtrack.” And Lion King attendee Melanie Trintin dismissed the proposed ban as “the dumbest thing I’ve heard all day. If you can’t handle the noise, move to the country.”

Whether the bill passes or not, one truth remains: on Broadway, even the drama spilling into the streets demands a spotlight.

For more information:

https://nypost.com/2025/06/02/us-news/music-blaring-pedicabs-are-interrupting-broadway-performances

Pedicabs — a colorful and often chaotic part of New York City’s street life — are facing renewed scrutiny as Mayor Eric Adams announces a sweeping enforcement campaign targeting illegal operations in Central Park.

While pedicabs have been a fixture in the city for over three decades, officials say persistent issues like unlicensed drivers, overcharging scams, and excessive noise have undermined the integrity of the industry. Despite existing regulations, unauthorized pedicabs continue to operate in large numbers.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Mayor Adams emphasized the importance of preserving Central Park as a safe and welcoming space for all.

“This park is a great equalizer,” Adams said. “Whether you’re a bartender or a banker, a CEO or a student, everyone deserves to feel safe here.”

Under a broader quality-of-life initiative, a multi-agency task force of 1,500 officers will ramp up enforcement efforts focused on illegal vending, disruptive noise, and unlicensed pedicab activity in the park.

So far this year, the NYPD has issued 194 summonses to pedicab drivers in Central Park — a notable increase from 162 during the same period last year. Authorities have also impounded 19 pedicabs, compared to just one last year, signaling a sharp escalation in enforcement.

Some of the worst offenders have been linked to credit card fraud schemes, with unsuspecting tourists charged exorbitant fares for short rides. Kenneth Winter, co-founder of the New York Pedicab Alliance, said one visitor was charged $968 for a 15-minute trip.

“It reflects badly on the whole city — and on those of us trying to do things the right way,” said Winter, who has been a licensed driver for 22 years. His group represents 220 pedicab operators who follow the rules.

Winter called on the city to pair increased enforcement with stricter penalties for fraudulent and unlicensed drivers. He estimates there are more than 1,200 pedicabs in the city, despite a legal cap of 850 licenses. Most pedicabs are now electric-assisted, capable of reaching speeds between 6 and 14 mph.

Public pressure continues to mount. In response to noise and congestion complaints, three City Council members recently proposed a bill that would ban pedicabs from operating within 50 feet of Broadway theaters. Winter criticized the measure as a misdirected response that doesn’t tackle the real problem: unchecked illegal operations.

Faced with repeated reports of scams, Winter says he now routinely ends his rides with a warning to his passengers.

“Please don’t fall for it again,” he tells them.

For more information:

https://gothamist.com/news/mayor-adams-orders-crackdown-on-pedicabs-in-central-park

Mayor Eric Adams is intensifying efforts to improve safety and quality of life in Central Park by expanding the city’s multi-agency “Community Link” program. This move is part of a broader strategy to address rising concerns over unlicensed and aggressive pedicab activity in the iconic park.

The initiative, now operating under the name Central Park Conservancy Partnership, brings together 20 city agencies and cultural institutions to coordinate enforcement and community outreach. The NYPD, Parks Enforcement Patrol, and the Central Park Conservancy’s newly established Ranger Corps will take a leading role in addressing pedicab violations.

These specially trained Central Park Rangers will respond directly to complaints related to pedicabs, helping ensure safe and enjoyable park experiences for all visitors.

In addition, the New York Pedicab Alliance will work alongside the interagency task force to curb bad actors in the industry. The Alliance will also help educate park-goers about their rights and how to report violations, aiming to restore trust and accountability within the pedicab system.

For more information:

https://nypost.com/2025/05/30/us-news/mayor-adams-expands-key-safety-program-to-central-park-to-address-quality-of-life

So no more unlawful pedicabs, or excessive noise forcing family and tourists to cut their visits short in this world-class park. And we know that New Yorkers and tourists are fed up with these quality of life concerns.

Together, we created a punch list of 78 specific action items to improve the safety and quality of life inside Central Park. To date, 48 are completed, 13 are in progress, and 11 are long-term, ongoing efforts. That teamwork includes coordinating enforcement strategies to address unlicensed pedicabs, while also engaging directly the pedicab operators to prevent violations before they even occur, launching a dedicated Pedicab Task Force to drive long-term solutions to bring operators into compliance and to hold bad actors accountable for and to protect the riders.

Park Enforcement Patrol has issued 289 summonses this year related to pedicab violations, and the NYPD Central Park Precinct has issued 194 related summonses up from 162 the same time period last year. The NYPD has also seized 19 pedicabs so far this year compared to just 1 during the same time period last year.

We are seeing fewer violations related to pedicabs.

Question: What is the specific regulation with respect to these pedicabs? Because if you go to Central Park South, for example, by 6th Avenue, it can be overwhelming. They’re blasting their music, cutting people off. What is the regulation regarding them, and how is that specifically being addressed?

Mayor Adams: Well, one thing for sure, and we’re talking about some enforcement, it’s not a petty concern, that’s for sure. You know, we are really concerned with the over proliferation of pedicabs that many of them are unlicensed.

They’re overcharging tourists. Some of the cases that we’ve heard are really astonishing. When you think about people coming here to visit the city, they don’t want to be ripped off and harassed in a manner. And so we did several operations. You want to talk about those operations?

Deputy Mayor Daughtry: Thanks, N.J. And that’s one of the biggest concerns here in Central Park is the pedicabs. They’re out of control. Last year, we did a really big pedicab initiative through Midtown as well as even down in Central Park. But a pedicab is just what it is, a pedicab.

You notice some of these pedicabs, the majority of them have motors on them. They’re not supposed to have motors. And their prices are very deceiving to New Yorkers, especially tourists, when I’m coming here from a different country because this is the best place in the world.

When they jump on a ride, it says $8.99. People think it is $8.99 per [person], but they’re charging you $8.99 per [minute]. So a ride around Central Park can cost a person almost $200. And that gets into a conflict between the rider, the ride-goer, and the pedicab operator.

So when the officers come in and converge on them, initially they try to take off. But we have a really tactical plan in place for how we go after these individuals. But if you see a pedicab with a motor on it, if you don’t see the license sticker on the side by the Consumer Worker Protection Program, they’re supposed to be registered.

And I would say about 95 percent of these pedicabs are not registered. They’re not licensed. So it’s an easy confiscation. We’re working with our law department in the sea of ways of how we can take these pedicabs legally and lawfully and not give them back to the owner because we only can have them seized for a couple of days.

So we’re working with our legal teams, our Law Department, to come up with some sort of resolution so we can actually take these pedicabs permanently if they don’t come pick them up.

Question: What about the music?

Deputy Mayor Daughtry: The music is also, you’re not supposed to have a sound reproductive device. I mean, listen, the pedicabs are fun, attractive for people that are not from here. But sometimes they do take advantage of our tourists.

And we don’t want that. We want people to come here, have a good time. We don’t want them to get into altercations with the pedicab drivers over a $250 fare, which is sometimes absurd. Thank you.

For more information:

https://www.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/369-25/transcript-mayor-adams-multi-agency-community-link-operation-enhance-quality-of

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced the “Central Park Conservancy Partnership,” a multi-agency response aimed at addressing public safety and improving quality of life in and around Central Park. The partnership – part of Mayor Adams’ “Community Link” initiative – is focused on improving coordination across enforcement agencies and increasing public education for parkgoers, particularly around unlicensed or unlawful pedicabs.

The New York City Police Department (NYPD) and New York City Department of Parks and Recreation’s (NYC Parks) Parks Enforcement Patrol (PEP) have increased enforcement efforts in the park, particularly on unlawful pedicab operations. Year to date, this increased coordination has led to 289 summonses issued by the PEP for pedicab violations.

The NYPD’s Central Park Precinct officers have issued 194 summonses year to date for pedicab violations.

As part of the partnership, the Mayor’s Office has also already convened an interagency task force to address unsafe pedicab operations. The task force – working in partnership with the New York Pedicab Alliance – is focused on sustained enforcement and compliance with pedicab laws and regulations. Key initiatives includes Crackdowns on unlicensed and repeat-offender pedicab operators. Year to date, the PEP has issued 289 summonses, and the NYPD has issued 194 summonses related to pedicab enforcement. The NYPD has also seized 19 pedicabs – up from just one during the same period in 2024. The task force is also working with Midtown Community Justice Center to identify and address repeat offenders.

Key initiatives also includes education to protect pedicab riders. The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), in coordination with the Mayor’s Office, produced an educational flyer that will be distributed throughout Central Park and shared across multiple communication channels to inform riders of their rights, help them identify properly licensed pedicab drivers, and explain how to report violations.

The partnership is led by the Mayor’s Office and the Central Park Conservancy, in collaboration with community partners from New York Pedicab Alliance.

For more information:

https://www.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/368-25/mayor-adams-multi-agency-community-link-operation-enhance-quality-life-improve#/0

Two runaway carriage horses caused chaos in Central Park on Monday, injuring several people including a driver who suffered a broken wrist. The incident began when a horse named Shadow got spooked near the Central Park Zoo and bolted toward 59th Street traffic before veering back into the park and crashing into parked pedicabs. A Central Park pedicab driver — the same one who stopped a runaway horse the previous week — heroically intercepted the carriage, suffering a leg injury in the process. He later took the injured coachman to the hospital. NYCLASS’s director praised the pedicab driver for his bravery and noted the horses were likely traumatized.

For more information:

https://nypost.com/2025/05/28/us-news/central-park-carriage-driver-breaks-wrist-others-injured-after-two-horses-break-loose

Two carriage horses, Hamilton and Shadow, ran loose in Central Park, causing panic as they charged toward people and crashed into several pedicabs. Witnesses described the chaotic scene, with frightened park-goers screaming and running for safety. One pedicab driver in Central Park, Mohammed, managed to stop the runaway horses by using his pedicab to block the carriage, even though he was kicked in the process. Remarkably, this was the second time Mohammed had stopped a runaway horse in the park recently.

For more information:

https://abc7ny.com/post/advocates-calling-ban-horse-drawn-carriages-nyc-scary-collision-central-park/16567788

NYC Council Proposes Broadway Buffer Zone for Pedicabs

Pedicabs may be a tourist favorite in Midtown Manhattan, but for many New Yorkers—especially around the Theater District—they’re more of a nuisance than a novelty.

Now, some City Council members want to curb their presence near Broadway theaters. A newly proposed bill would prohibit pedicabs from operating within 50 feet of theater entrances, aiming to ease congestion and cut down on noise in some of the city’s most crowded streets.

“When pedicabs are lined up ringing their bells and calling out to tourists, it only adds to the chaos,” said Councilmember Erik Bottcher, who co-sponsored the legislation. He represents part of the Times Square area, where the issue is most acute.

The bill would not only enforce distance requirements but also require the Department of Transportation to post clear signage marking no-pedicab zones. According to Bottcher, many theaters already ask drivers to keep their distance—but enforcement is inconsistent.

“It’s not about banning pedicabs entirely,” he said. “They just need to respect the space around theater entrances.”

Some theatergoers agree. “If you want to ride one, great,” said Viviana Barcelo, a recent Broadway patron. “But if you don’t, it just feels crowded and uncomfortable.”

Beyond the physical congestion, the primary complaint is the noise. Theater staff, audiences, and even performers have reported disruptions from pedicabs blasting music during shows.

“You don’t want to hear ‘Empire State of Mind’ during an emotional monologue,” Bottcher said.

Pedicab drivers interviewed by Eyewitness News said they’d comply with any new rules. However, the New York Pedicab Alliance, which represents licensed operators, opposes the bill, arguing that better enforcement of existing regulations would more effectively weed out bad actors.

Gina Patrick, a frequent theatergoer, supports the proposal. “Tourists know what they’re looking for. The pedicabs don’t need to be right on top of them.”

Others questioned how much impact the move would really have. “How many people actually use them?” asked a theatergoer named Travis.

In areas like West 46th Street—home to four major theaters—the logistics could be tricky. Still, Bottcher insists pedicabs will have nearby options. “Some blocks have more theaters than others, but in most cases, drivers can still operate just a bit further down the street.”

Fines or penalties for violations have yet to be determined as the bill moves through City Council review.

For more information:


https://abc7ny.com/post/nyc-council-members-working-bill-ban-pedicabs-operating-broadway-theaters/16488524/

Proposed Council Bill Would Push Pedicabs 50 Feet Away from Broadway Houses

A trio of City Council members—Keith Powers, Erik Bottcher, and Chris Banks—has drafted legislation that would bar pedicabs from stopping, parking, or loading passengers within 50 feet of any Broadway theater entrance. The measure follows a surge of complaints from residents and theatergoers who say the tricycle taxis clog sidewalks and blast music such as “Empire State of Mind” during performances.

If adopted, the bill would also order the Department of Transportation to install signs marking “pedicab-restricted zones” around the Theater District.

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Supporters: Protect the Broadway Experience

Powers, whose district covers Midtown and parts of the East Side, said constituents routinely report noisy pedicabs outside stage doors. “We’re trying to get people back into seats and ensure their night at the theater is universally enjoyable,” he explained. The Times Square Alliance and the Broadway League back the proposal; League president Jason Laks called unregulated pedicabs “a significant challenge for audiences, staff, and law enforcement.”

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Drivers: Bill Misses the Real Problem

Kenneth Winter, co-founder of the 220-member New York Pedicab Alliance, concedes that loud music, pushy sales tactics, and hidden prices plague the industry. Still, he argues the legislation targets legitimate drivers rather than the estimated 90 percent of pedicabs that run without required licenses, registration plates, or liability insurance. “This won’t stop the bad actors,” Winter said. “It just takes income away from people operating in good faith.”

He blames the city’s weak enforcement—licenses issued without background checks and rare prosecution of unlicensed operators—for letting the problem fester. “It’s a mess the city doesn’t seem interested in cleaning up,” he added.

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Enforcement Already Ramping Up

In December, NYPD officers seized dozens of cabs they said were operating illegally in Midtown. Tom Harris, president of the Times Square Alliance, said such crackdowns show the need for clearer rules: “This bill is a first step toward holding unscrupulous operators accountable, though it won’t solve everything.”

The measure remains in committee, and a public hearing date has not yet been set.

For more information:

https://gothamist.com/arts-entertainment/a-new-bill-would-ban-pedicabs-from-broadway-some-drivers-say-it-misses-the-point

Council Bill Seeks to Quiet Pedicabs Near Broadway Theaters

A trio of New York City Councilmembers—Keith Powers, Erik Bottcher, and Chris Banks—has introduced legislation to keep pedicabs at least 50 feet away from Broadway theater entrances, citing mounting complaints about noise, sidewalk crowding, and price-gouging by unlicensed operators.

The proposed law would:

Prohibit pickups and drop-offs within 50 feet of any theater

Require the Department of Transportation to post “pedicab-restricted zone” signs

Supporters say the measure would help audiences enjoy shows without hearing blaring tunes like “Empire State of Mind” from idling pedicabs and would encourage visitors to return to Broadway as the industry rebounds.

“New Yorkers want a calmer, more welcoming theater experience,” Powers said. “This bill supports Broadway’s recovery and keeps the area manageable.”

Pushback from Licensed Drivers
Kenneth Winter of the New York Pedicab Alliance argues the plan punishes the minority who follow the rules while ignoring an estimated 90 percent of drivers who operate without proper licenses or insurance.

“Enforcement is practically nonexistent,” Winter said. “Licensed drivers will move, but illegal ones will keep doing business as usual.”

Industry Backing
The Broadway League and Times Square Alliance both endorsed stricter oversight. Jason Laks of the Broadway League called unregulated pedicabs a “significant challenge” for theatergoers and staff alike, while Times Square Alliance president Tom Harris said the bill “takes a needed step toward accountability.”

Next Steps
The proposal is still in committee; no hearing date has been set. Meanwhile, NYPD crackdowns—such as a December sweep that seized dozens of illegal pedicabs—highlight ongoing enforcement gaps the bill aims to close.

For more information:

https://lavocedinewyork.com/en/new-york/2025/05/19/new-york-bill-would-bar-pedicabs-near-broadway-theaters/