Category: News

An NYPD officer, Brett Armstrong, found himself in a peculiar situation when his middle finger got stuck in the trunk of his police vehicle in Lower Manhattan on a Sunday afternoon. Armstrong and his partner were placing a pedicab driver’s belongings into the trunk following the driver’s arrest due to the absence of seatbelts in his cab. During the process, the trunk lid closed on Armstrong’s right hand, trapping his finger. After calling for help, a civilian approached, accessed Armstrong’s keys, and after initially opening the hood by mistake, successfully opened the trunk with assistance from three other individuals, as directed by Armstrong to the release mechanism “on the wheel.” The ordeal, which lasted about three minutes, was captured on video and thankfully, Armstrong did not sustain serious injuries.

For more information:

https://www.complex.com/life/a/gavin-evans/group-of-people-help-nypd-cop-who-got-finger-stuck-in-trunk

As New York considers legalizing e-bikes and e-scooters, pedicab drivers in NYC see an opportunity for growth. The recent bill passed by the State Senate and Assembly may allow pedicabs to use pedal-assist technology, transforming them from tourist attractions to viable transit options for short-distance trips. Despite the legalization of pedal-assist e-bikes, city regulations currently prohibit their use by pedicab drivers due to a ban influenced by the taxi industry, limiting the pedicabs’ potential and drivers’ earnings. Advocates argue that legalizing e-assist for pedicabs could increase maneuverability in traffic, enhance driver earnings by allowing more rides per day, and make the industry more accessible. However, concerns exist within the pedicab community regarding the use of fully motorized e-bikes that do not require pedaling, emphasizing the need for a distinction in regulation to maintain safety and preserve the essence of bicycling.

For more information:

Overlooked in Debate Over E-Bikes, Pedicab Drivers Hope for a Boost

A sedan driver, after being involved in a minor collision with a van at 55th Street and Fifth Avenue, attempted to flee the scene despite the van driver’s efforts to stop him. The sedan driver, whose vehicle had TLC plates, injured the van driver in his escape. However, a pedicab driver named Cagdas Ozturk, along with other quick-acting bystanders, managed to halt the fleeing driver a block away from the incident. The confrontation and the subsequent citizen’s arrest of the sedan driver were captured in exclusive video footage, showing bystanders and Ozturk demanding the driver to stop. The van driver was seriously injured and taken to the hospital, while the Taxi & Limousine Commission is investigating the sedan driver, who is now under police custody with charges pending.

For more information:

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/citizen-arrest-nyc-midtown-hit-and-run/1824741/

Pedicab operators in New York City are expressing frustration for being excluded from new regulations that allow certain low-speed e-bikes but not pedal-assist technology for pedicabs. The Department of Transportation, under Mayor Bill de Blasio’s directive, has made pedal-assist bikes legal, which require the rider to pedal to operate, but has kept throttle e-bikes, which can function without pedaling, illegal. This move aims to benefit commuters and delivery workers, but leaves pedicab operators at a disadvantage due to existing laws that mandate pedicabs to be “solely propelled by human power.” This regulation, enforced by the Department of Consumer Affairs, prevents pedicabs from utilizing pedal-assist e-bikes, limiting their efficiency and potential as a pollution-free transportation alternative. Council Member Rafael Espinal is sympathetic to the pedicab industry’s plight and is working on legislation to allow pedicab use of pedal-assist technology. The industry and advocates, including HOST (Hop On Short Trips), are calling for inclusive regulation that acknowledges pedicabs’ contribution to eco-friendly transportation and their hardworking operators. The city is open to public comments on the DOT proposal before a hearing scheduled for May 29 at 1:30 p.m.

For more information:

https://abc7ny.com/pedicab-transportation-dot-e-bikes/3507836/

Rudy Giuliani, along with two of his staffers, was involved in an incident where they accidentally struck a passing pedicab driver with an SUV door in Midtown. The event occurred as they were exiting a Cadillac SUV around 2:20 p.m. near the corner of 49th Street and Eighth Avenue. The 33-year-old pedicab driver involved in the incident was not injured and was treated at the scene. There were no passengers in the pedicab at the time, and no injuries were reported among Giuliani’s staff. No legal actions or summonses were filed immediately following the incident. Giuliani, who has recently taken a role as an attorney and adviser to President Trump, has been in the news for various reasons, including his statements about the investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller into the 2016 election.

For more information:

Rudy Giuliani and two staffers strike passing pedicab driver while opening SUV door

A Parks Enforcement Patrol officer was dragged by a pedicab in Central Park around 1:10 p.m. near 66th Street while attempting to issue a summons to the driver, Brent Greenberg, aged 52. The incident occurred at Tavern on the Green when Greenberg fled, causing the officer’s radio to become entangled in the pedicab’s wheels, dragging her 50-100 feet. Witnesses described the scene, noting the officer’s perilous position and Greenberg’s initial belligerence. The officer sustained minor cuts and bruises and was treated at Lenox Hill Hospital. Greenberg was arrested for violating pedicab regulations, resisting arrest, and obstructing government administration. Pedicabs are permitted in Central Park but not in front of Tavern on the Green, and the use of a motor on a pedicab is also prohibited.

For more information:

https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/pedicab-drags-parks-officer/

A Parks Enforcement Patrol officer was injured in Central Park after her radio got caught in the wheels of a pedicab she was issuing a summons to. The incident occurred around 1 p.m. near West 66th Street, resulting in the officer being dragged for 50 to 100 feet. She received hospital treatment for cuts and bruises. The pedicab driver was apprehended and faces charges for pedicab restrictions, resisting arrest, and obstructing government administration.

For more information:

https://abc7ny.com/pedicab-officer-dragged-central-park-parks/3450888/

In Central Park, a Parks Department officer was dragged by a pedicab for a distance of 50 to 100 feet, resulting in her hospitalization for cuts and bruises. The incident occurred around 1:10 p.m. near West 66th Street and Central Park West when the officer and her partner attempted to issue a summons to the pedicab driver. The driver responded aggressively, shoving the officer, whose radio became entangled in the pedicab’s wheels, leading to her being dragged as the driver fled. The police later apprehended the driver, who now faces charges including resisting arrest, obstruction of government administration, and various pedicab-related violations. The identities of both the officer and the driver were not disclosed immediately following the incident.

For more information:

https://nypost.com/2018/05/09/parks-officer-dragged-by-pedicab-in-central-park/

Pedicab riders in New York City are experiencing shock over exorbitant bills, some topping $600, due to a rogue group of pedicab drivers allegedly concealing their prices and exploiting customers. Despite city laws mandating clear disclosure of prices, investigations by 7 On Your Side revealed numerous violations, with many operators failing to display their rates as required. This lack of transparency and enforcement has led to customers being significantly overcharged, with reports of rides costing hundreds of dollars for short distances. The situation not only affects riders but also damages the reputation of pedicab operators who comply with regulations, as public trust diminishes. The Department of Consumer Affairs, NYPD, and NYC Parks Department, responsible for enforcement, have been criticized for insufficient action, particularly outside of Central Park. Industry advocates are calling for stricter regulations, including the introduction of GPS meters and a cap on per-minute rates, to prevent price gouging and ensure pedicabs serve as a legitimate transportation alternative rather than a source of scams.

For more information:

https://abc7ny.com/pedicab-riders-laws-bikes/2968749/

The article from On Your Side Investigates reveals a widespread issue with pedicab operators in Central Park, New York City, using illegal motors or pedal assists despite a city law mandating pedicabs to be powered solely by human effort. This law was established after a motorized pedicab caught fire in 2014, raising concerns about safety and traffic accidents due to high speeds. Despite these regulations, many operators, like Diallo and Andre (who also used the name Alexander), claim ignorance of the law, even though the licensing checklist explicitly prohibits electric or motor-operated mechanisms.

The investigation sparked concern among potential pedicab patrons, highlighting the dangers posed by these illegal modifications. Enforcement appears to be a challenge, with three city departments sharing responsibility but achieving limited success. The Parks Department issued an average of three citations a month for the year, while the NYPD issued 607 summons to pedicab drivers in 2017, a slight increase from the previous year. However, it’s unclear how many of these were for illegal motors. The Department of Consumer Affairs conducted 359 pedicab inspections, resulting in 99 violations.

Operators adhering to the law express frustration over the lack of effective enforcement, suggesting that the city’s efforts are insufficient to address the issue. The police note the difficulty in enforcement due to the concealed nature of the motors. Violators face financial penalties and can lose their license after repeated offenses. The city encourages public reports of any law violations to 311.

For more information:

https://abc7ny.com/pedicab-illegal-motors-pedicabs-central-park/2804296/