Category: News

New York City is nearing an agreement to relocate horse carriage stables to Central Park, a move that would significantly reduce the number of horses operating within the park from 220 to 75 by October 2018. This proposed legislation, which could be reviewed as early as Friday, also aims to restrict pedicabs from operating south of 85th Street within the park, addressing conflicts between pedicab and horse carriage operators over passenger rides. Additionally, the bill would allow carriage drivers to implement a $5 night surcharge for rides after 6 p.m. and on certain holidays. This development follows extensive discussions between Mayor Bill de Blasio’s aides and the Teamsters union, amidst de Blasio’s initial but unfulfilled promise to ban horse carriages from his first day in office, which met substantial resistance from the City Council and public support for the industry.

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NYC close to deal with horse carriage industry to permanently move horse stables to Central Park

Under a compromise brokered by Mayor Bill de Blasio, New York City’s horse-drawn carriages will be confined to Central Park, significantly altering the landscape of the city’s iconic tourist attraction. This agreement, reached with the union representing carriage drivers, aims to halve the number of licensed horses from about 180 to 95 and relocate them to stables within Central Park by October 1, 2018. The move addresses animal-rights concerns by removing the horses from city streets, thereby fulfilling a campaign promise de Blasio made over two years ago, despite the political controversies it stirred.

The deal, described as “an agreement in concept,” not only aims to end a longstanding debate over the presence of carriage horses in the city but also introduces a contentious measure to ban pedicabs south of 85th Street in Central Park. This part of the agreement has sparked outcry from pedicab operators who argue that the restriction will severely impact their business, primarily serving tourists in the park’s more frequented southern end. Some, like pedicab driver Richard Costella, see the move as unfairly favoring the carriage industry at their expense, with legal action being considered in response.

For more information:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/deal-would-restrict-new-york-city-carriage-horses-to-central-park-1453093043

Mayor Bill de Blasio, alongside the City Council and horse carriage industry representatives, has reached a compromise to maintain the horse carriage operations within Central Park, New York City. This new arrangement will decrease the number of carriage horses from 180 to 110 by December and further to 95 upon the inauguration of new stables within the park by 2018. The deal restricts horses from traveling on streets outside of Central Park, except for direct routes to their existing stables starting in June, aiming to address animal welfare concerns and regulate the industry more tightly.

The agreement includes several key provisions: the construction of a stable inside Central Park financed by the city, a reduction in working hours for horses to nine hours per day, and the ability for drivers to impose a $5 surcharge for rides during specific evening hours and holidays. Additionally, to reduce competition for carriage horses, pedicabs will be banned from operating south of 85th Street in Central Park.

Despite initial vows to ban horse carriages on his first day in office, de Blasio faced significant opposition, leading to this compromise. The deal, still pending City Council approval, is described as an “agreement in concept” and could be subjected to legislative hearings as soon as this week. This development follows extensive negotiations between the mayor’s office, the Teamsters union representing carriage drivers, and amid public campaigns supporting the preservation of the horse carriage industry.

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Horse carriage industry, City Hall strike deal to keep carriage rides in NYC

Cornelius Byrne, a New York City stable owner with deep family ties to the horse carriage industry, is facing uncertainty as ongoing negotiations between Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration and City Council could significantly impact the future of horse-drawn carriages in the city. Despite public support, there’s a potential for the industry to be drastically reduced, with a proposal to relocate horses to a Central Park stable that only fits 70 out of the current 220. This has raised concerns about the welfare of the remaining horses and the livelihood of carriage drivers.

The situation is further complicated by discussions to restrict pedicabs to less popular areas of Central Park, potentially giving carriage drivers a monopoly on tourist tours. This move has been criticized by pedicab drivers and reflects the complex political dynamics surrounding de Blasio’s campaign promise to ban horse carriages, a promise that has become a contentious issue in his tenure as mayor. The outcome of these negotiations remains uncertain, with the future of many horses and the traditional carriage industry hanging in the balance.

For more information:

https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2016/01/13/carriage-horse-latest-

Mayor Bill de Blasio’s proposal to restrict carriage horses to Central Park and ban pedicabs from operating below 85th Street has faced significant opposition from city council members, the carriage horse and pedicab industries, and animal rights activists. During a nearly seven-hour hearing, council members criticized the plan for its lack of transparency and the negative impact it would have on both industries. Queens Councilmember Van Bramer expressed strong disapproval, highlighting the administration’s failure to defend the legislation effectively.

The deal, announced in conjunction with City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and the Teamsters union, aims to reduce carriage horses from 180 to 95 by October 2018, coinciding with the opening of a new stable in Central Park. However, concerns were raised about the feasibility of completing the stable by the deadline, the lack of consultation with pedicab drivers, and the dissatisfaction among animal rights activists who prefer a total ban on carriage horses.

The Teamsters union, despite not being fully satisfied with the deal, views it as preferable to a complete ban on carriage horses. The reduction in horses and working hours is expected to result in a loss of 40 to 50 jobs, amounting to a 25% reduction in the industry. Pedicab drivers, who are not unionized, voiced strong opposition to the bill, arguing that the ban below 85th Street would severely limit their business opportunities and that they had not been consulted during the bill’s drafting process.

City council members showed sympathy for the pedicab drivers’ plight, with several expressing support for more lenient legislation towards pedicabs. The council’s response suggests a desire to include pedicab drivers in the conversation and find a more balanced solution that considers the interests of all parties involved.

For more information:

https://gothamist.com/news/de-blasios-carriage-horse-plan-struggles-to-whinny-over-angry-neighsayers

Since 2001, Chen Guanming has undertaken a remarkable 105,630-mile journey across 1,764 cities in China and 22 countries in a 400-pound pedicab rickshaw to promote the spirit of the Olympics, reaching destinations like Beijing for the 2008 Games and London for the 2012 Winter Games, aiming for Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Along the way, he has faced formidable physical challenges, relying on the kindness of strangers and the support of the Chinese communities he visits. Chen, a former farmer from Jiangsu, China, has turned his rickshaw into his home, facing natural disasters and law enforcement encounters with resilience and a philosophy of overcoming fear and adversity. His journey symbolizes a commitment to a cause greater than himself, transforming personal challenges into an inspiring testament to the human spirit’s endurance and the universal appeal of the Olympic ideals.

For more information:

https://gothamist.com/news/this-guy-who-spends-his-life-riding-around-the-world-in-a-rickshaw-knows-whats-up

Legislation aims to safeguard both customers and transportation providers, including pedicabs, which offer a responsible and enjoyable alternative to conventional modes of transport in urban settings. Gregg Zuman, the founder of Revolution Rickshaws in 2005, emphasizes that pedicabs are efficient, especially in Midtown Manhattan where they can outpace other forms of transport in terms of speed. However, the pedicab industry faces challenges such as unregulated pricing, the presence of illegal motorized pedicabs with safety risks, and a lack of regulatory oversight by city authorities, leading to concerns over training and licensing of drivers. New York City law requires pedicabs to have a DCA-issued registration plate and drivers to be licensed, but the industry still struggles with compliance and safety issues. As the city continues to explore and expand transportation alternatives, including the extension of Citi Bike to more boroughs, the guide to pedicab ride success outlines important tips for passengers to ensure a safe and fair experience, including verifying the driver’s license, confirming prices before the ride, and using a timer to track ride duration.

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Commercial Observer Website

The horse and carriage industry in New York City is facing competition from pedicab drivers who allegedly use deceptive practices to lure tourists away from traditional carriage rides, claiming to offer both services when they are not connected. This has led to calls for intervention from the de Blasio administration, despite the industry’s previous conflicts with City Hall. The issue centers around pedicab drivers falsely advertising horse carriage rides and misleading customers about pricing and park regulations, alongside using illegal motors on their bikes. Following complaints, the Consumer Affairs Department conducted enforcement actions, resulting in a temporary increase in business for carriage drivers and 15 summonses being issued for various infractions.

Leaders of the horse-carriage industry have lobbied for stricter enforcement of regulations governing pedicabs, including the requirement to post rates clearly and prohibitions on motorized assistance, seeking a level playing field rather than opposing the presence of pedicabs. On the other hand, representatives and some drivers from the pedicab industry acknowledge the issue of misleading customers but also highlight harassment from carriage drivers and emphasize their compliance with directing tourists to their preferred mode of transportation. The situation has led to ongoing tension between the two groups, with city officials and the Consumer Affairs Department taking steps to address the deceptive practices and enforce existing laws.

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Hoofin’ to Bill Horse folk seek unlikely ally vs. pedicab ‘scam’

Police Commissioner Bill Bratton expressed frustration with the complexity of pedicab regulations in New York City, highlighting the challenges faced by law enforcement in dealing with the rickshaw business. During a radio interview, Bratton described the pedicab laws as “Byzantine” and overly complicated, admitting that even after consulting with the city’s top attorney for three hours, he remained confused about the regulations. This situation reflects broader concerns about the lack of effective regulation and enforcement in the pedicab industry, as evidenced by a recent report noting that not a single pedicab driver had been ticketed by the Department of Consumer Affairs up to mid-May of the current year. Bratton called for a simplification of the laws to make it easier for police officers to enforce them and manage the challenges posed by pedicabs, particularly those exploiting tourists.

For more information:

https://nypost.com/2015/06/11/even-bill-bratton-doesnt-understand-pedicab-laws/

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/