Category: News

The de Blasio administration has not issued a single ticket to pedicab drivers or businesses in 2015, a stark decrease from previous years under Mayor Mike Bloomberg when enforcement was significantly stricter. In 2014, only four drivers were ticketed, compared to 97 during the same period in 2013. Pedicab drivers have noticed the leniency, attributing the reduction in tickets to the change in administration. Tourists, such as Akiva Abdurahmanov from Israel, report being aggressively approached by pedicab drivers with exorbitant rate quotes, despite the legal requirement for drivers to post clear, consistent rates. The Department of Consumer Affairs attributes the enforcement drop to legal challenges that have limited their ability to conduct random stops, but plans to resume inspections in collaboration with the Law Department, Parks Department, and NYPD, aiming to address the ongoing issue of overcharging and harassment by pedicab drivers towards tourists.

For more information:

https://nypost.com/2015/06/04/de-blasio-administration-hasnt-issued-one-pedicab-ticket-in-2015/

Under Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration, enforcement against pedicab violations has significantly decreased, with not a single ticket issued to pedicab drivers as of mid-May this year, compared to 97 tickets during the same period in 2013 under Mayor Mike Bloomberg. This decline in enforcement follows court rulings that limit the ability of inspectors to randomly stop pedicabs, but critics argue this shouldn’t result in zero enforcement. Suggestions have been made for the Department of Consumer Affairs to employ undercover investigations to tackle ongoing rip-offs, such as exorbitant charges to tourists. The lack of current enforcement contrasts sharply with previous efforts that led to a quarter of pedicab drivers quitting and the remainder moderating their behavior, indicating a need for the city to intensify its regulatory efforts.

For more information:

https://nypost.com/2015/06/04/the-city-gives-up-on-policing-pedicab-sleaze/

An illegal motorized pedicab parked in a Midtown Manhattan parking garage caused a three-alarm fire after its battery likely exploded on Friday morning. The incident occurred in the basement of a garage near East 54th Street and Madison Avenue, in an area designated for off-duty pedicabs. The fire, which took 145 firefighters about an hour and a half to extinguish, spread to surrounding pedicabs but did not damage any cars. The use of golf-cart-like motors beneath passenger seats, a common practice among pedicab drivers to work longer hours without fatigue, is against city law due to the increased risk of accidents and incidents like this fire. This event follows a similar occurrence in September when a pedicab with an illicit motor overheated and caught fire in Central Park.

For more information:

https://nypost.com/2015/05/30/illegal-pedicab-bursts-into-flames-sets-off-three-alarm-fire/

A pedicab fire in a Midtown parking garage on 17 E. 54th St. prompted a response from more than 100 firefighters on Friday morning. The incident began at 10:34 a.m. when a pedicab parked on the ground level caught fire, leading to surrounding pedicabs also igniting. The FDNY managed to bring the fire under control by 12:05 p.m. The street was closed from 5th to Madison avenues as a result. Workers speculate that the fire might have been initiated by an exploding pedicab battery. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries from the incident.

For more information:

https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20150529/midtown/106-firefighters-respond-parking-garage-blaze-midtown/

The Mark Hotel, located on East 77th Street between Madison and 5th Avenue in New York City, is known for its luxury services and celebrity guests, especially during the pre-Met gala events. This summer, the hotel is enhancing its offerings by providing shuttle services to Bergdorf Goodman via pedicabs for their guests. This exclusive service includes 24/7 access to the flagship store on Fifth Avenue, with the option for guests to have their driver wait outside to transport any purchases back to the hotel. Additionally, guests who spend $2000 or more at Bergdorf will receive a $500 shopping spree and a complimentary facial at the store’s spa. This promotion runs from June through September, adding an extra layer of luxury to the hotel’s already impeccable concierge care.

For more information:

https://www.bustle.com/articles/85889-nycs-mark-hotel-will-provide-shuttle-service-to-bergdorf-goodman-adding-a-new-meaning-to-luxury

An incident occurred in Central Park around 96th Street where a pedicab overturned, leading to emergency workers extricating a woman from the carriage on Sunday morning. The cause of the vehicle flipping was not immediately clear. The woman was found upside down in the pedicab, receiving attention from EMS personnel and wearing a neck brace, but it was uncertain if there were any other injuries. Police were seen speaking with another woman who appeared to be unharmed. A local, expressing concern, highlighted the high speed and congestion in the area, citing it as dangerous with the mix of bicycles, runners, skates, and now pedicabs. There was no immediate information available from NYPD and FDNY spokespeople regarding the incident.

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The city is taking steps to enforce a ban on motorized pedicabs by clarifying previously ambiguous legislation from 2007, which aimed to regulate the industry but was so poorly drafted that it was considered unenforceable by the Department of Consumer Affairs. The need for revision is driven by safety concerns and the desire to protect the public from the dangers associated with motorized pedicabs. Department Commissioner Julie Menin emphasized the importance of having a clear law with the power to effectively regulate the industry. The revised law will explicitly prohibit the operation of pedicabs that are propelled by any motor or mechanical device, aiming to remove any ambiguity from the original legislation. The city plans to finalize and enforce these new rules following a public hearing scheduled for June 15, marking a significant move towards the regulation of pedicabs in the city.

For more information:

https://nypost.com/2015/05/19/new-laws-could-spell-the-end-of-motorized-pedicabs/

Uber has partnered with HBO Now to offer a unique “Game of Thrones” experience, #RideOfThrones, to fans in New York. This promotion, available on Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., provides fans with two options: a Throne option for a photo opportunity with a replica of the Iron Throne (though not for riding around the city) and a pedicab ride within a specific area of Manhattan. Both services are offered free of charge, with Uber promising quick arrival times. The event has seen high demand, with many fans waiting to access the Throne ride option, but the pedicab rides have been more readily available. The promotion has been popular among fans, with many engaging deeply with the “Game of Thrones” theme, including speaking in character and humming the show’s theme song during their rides.

For more information:

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/game-thrones-uber-brings-iron-789250/

On New Year’s Eve in Midtown Manhattan, a pedicab driver charged Ken Smith, a Red Cross worker visiting from Haiti with his family, an exorbitant fare of $165 for a ride of about 15 blocks from Herald Square to Rockefeller Center. The driver illegally charged per rider and obscured the pricing on his sign, leading Smith to feel robbed by the encounter. Despite having extensive international experience, Smith and his wife, who owns a toy company in Laos, were taken aback by the scam in their own country. They paid the fare using a credit card through Square on the driver’s cracked iPhone and reported the incident to 311. New York City’s Department of Consumers Affairs, which mandates that drivers must clearly display rates and company information and prohibits per-passenger fees, has stated it will investigate the matter. Despite this negative experience, Smith expressed his continued love for New York City and his intention to return.

For more information:

https://nypost.com/2015/01/02/pedicab-takes-tourist-for-165-new-years-eve-ride/

Following a city crackdown aimed at curbing overcharging by pedicab drivers in New York, the number of licensed pedicabbies has significantly decreased, with more than a quarter opting out of renewing their licenses. Before the new regulations, which were introduced in 2013 to enforce fair pricing and improve safety, there were 1,217 licensed drivers at the start of 2014. By April, this number had dropped to 903, according to the Department of Consumer Affairs. The new rules mandate pedicab drivers to charge by the minute, display clear pricing on visible signs, and use city-approved timers, in response to incidents where tourists were grossly overcharged, sometimes up to $500 for short rides. While the reduction in pedicabs has been welcomed by many New Yorkers and residents of the Theater District and Midtown, where complaints of slow, dangerous, and obstructive pedicabs were common, there are indications that some drivers continue to find loopholes to overcharge passengers, including concealing high prices and targeting tourists at luxury hotels. Despite these challenges, the crackdown is seen as a positive step towards eliminating the most unscrupulous operators from the streets.

For more information:

https://nypost.com/2014/11/20/pedicab-licenses-down-after-city-crackdown-on-overcharging/