Category: News

A lawsuit by New York City pedicab operators, including Capitol Pedicabs LLC and former driver Bourama Camera, against city officials for excessive ticketing was dismissed by U.S. District Judge Katherine Forrest. The plaintiffs argued this was an attempt to drive them out of business, violating their rights to equal protection and against illegal searches and seizures. However, Judge Forrest ruled they failed to prove the city, Mayor Bill de Blasio, and other defendants lacked reasonable suspicion for stops or that the policy was unconstitutional. The plaintiffs’ lawyer, Austin Brown, indicated a potential appeal, criticizing the city’s treatment of pedicab drivers. The city’s law department spokesperson, Meryl Holt, deemed the claims meritless. The lawsuit was filed after Mayor de Blasio dropped proposed restrictions on pedicab operations in Central Park, which was part of a plan affecting horse-drawn carriages as well.

For more information:

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-new-york-pedicabs-lawsuit/new-york-city-pedicab-ticketing-lawsuit-is-dismissed-idUSKCN1C72GE/

Karlie Kloss made a striking appearance at the 2017 Met Gala in a Carolina Herrera tuxedo dress, showcasing her new platinum blonde bob. Despite her poised look, she chose an unconventional means of arrival to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, opting for a pedicab.

For more information:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-4464870/Karlie-Kloss-tuxedo-dress-takes-pedicab-Met-Gala.html#ixzz4fwDtS1Sq

Rush-hour traffic in New York City, notoriously challenging on any given day, becomes even more so during high-profile events like the Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. With streets clogged by fans, celebrities, and luxury vehicles, navigating Manhattan becomes a daunting task. To circumvent this, some celebrities have found creative solutions to ensure timely arrivals, which is critical given the Gala’s strict schedule and the importance placed on punctuality by figures like Anna Wintour. Model Karlie Kloss, for example, opted for a pedicab ride through Central Park to beat the traffic, arriving at the event without compromising her look, dressed in Carolina Herrera. Similarly, actress Mindy Kaling chose public transportation, taking the subway from Nolita to the Gala, showcasing the lengths to which celebrities will go to navigate the city’s congested streets during major events.

For more information:

https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/national-international/pedicabs-subway-stars-improvise-to-avoid-met-gala-traffic/2015147/

During a safety blitz in Manhattan, 247 illegal motorized bicycles were seized by the police as part of Vision Zero, an initiative by Mayor Bill de Blasio aimed at eliminating traffic deaths in New York City. The operation, which saw an average of over 10 bikes confiscated per hour, was primarily concentrated in southern Manhattan and also included seizures by the Midtown North Precinct. The crackdown has been met with criticism, particularly from bicycle messengers and advocates who argue that the enforcement targets vulnerable workers and capitalizes on ambiguous laws. They emphasize the essential role these motorized bicycles play for many, including immigrants and those with physical limitations, in earning a livelihood. Despite the federal government deeming bicycles with a maximum motor-powered speed of under 20 miles per hour as legal, New York state law bans them, leading to a call for reconsideration and adaptation of these regulations to support the city’s delivery cyclists.

For more information:

NYPD cracks down on illegal e-bikes in 24-hour blitz

For more information:

https://www.foxbusiness.com/video/2488057066001?playlist_id=932683241001

On the Upper West Side, a pedicab, valued at thousands of dollars and essential to its owner Madison Reyes’s livelihood, was stolen the night after Christmas. Reyes, who has been conducting pedicab tours for nine years, expressed his love for the job and how it allows him to give people lasting memories of Central Park. The theft, captured by surveillance video, involved two individuals using a Budget rental truck to carry away the pedicab after cutting through its chain lock. Reyes highlighted the personal significance of the pedicab, stating it was more than just a bike but a means of conducting his business, Madison and Park Tours, especially during its peak season. He mentioned the cost of replacement to be at least $6,000 and urged the thieves to return it, emphasizing the impact of their actions on his ability to work and pay off student loans. The pedicab, which has a plate and VIN number, is registered with the Department of Consumer Affairs, making it difficult for someone else to use it for tours.

For more information:

https://abc7ny.com/pedicab-stolen-theft-upper-west-side/1685122/

Frankie Legarreta, a Queens native known as “Frankie Legs,” has dedicated the past decade of his life to being a pedicab driver in Manhattan. Despite a severe accident at age 12 that left him with a shattered femur and a prognosis of potential permanent disability, Frankie turned to cycling for rehabilitation and eventually made it his career. Working nearly every day, he navigates the challenging terrain of Central Park and the busy streets of Midtown, relying on his remarkable physical endurance and strength to earn his living.

His journey has not been easy. The physical demands of pedicab driving have taken a toll on his body, but through a regimen of high-carb meals, coffee, and exercise, he has maintained his health and even achieved an athlete’s level of fitness. Despite the hardships, including the initial skepticism towards pedicab drivers and the industry’s challenges such as regulation and the negative perception following incidents of collisions and price gouging, Frankie remains dedicated to his craft. He views himself as an ambassador for New York City, going so far as to learn several languages to better communicate with tourists and diving into the history of Central Park to enrich his passengers’ experiences.

Legarreta’s passion for cycling and commitment to providing a distinguished experience set him apart in the pedicab community. His story highlights the resilience, dedication, and love for the city that drive him to pedal every day, embodying the spirit of a true New Yorker and a pure cyclist at heart.

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A group of tourists from Pennsylvania, celebrating a 15th birthday, were charged nearly $500 for a 15-block pedicab ride in Midtown Manhattan by an unlicensed driver, who has been described as a “bully.” The fare for the 13-person group, distributed across three pedicabs, came to a total of $492 for a journey that industry experts say should have cost around $72. The incident, which occurred on October 22, highlights a recurring issue with pedicab scams exploiting tourists due to the lack of a fare cap and clear rate posting requirements. The driver, identified as Samad Mansurov, took a longer route to inflate the cost, charging $7 per minute plus a surcharge for extra passengers, leading to a 21-minute ride costing the exorbitant fee. Despite attempts to argue, the driver became very aggressive. The New York Pedicab Network, an industry group, criticizes such deceptive practices and calls for a fare cap of $3 a minute to prevent exploitation. The City’s Consumer Affairs Department confirmed Mansurov’s license expired in 2014, and City Hall stated that multiple agencies are working to enforce regulations within the pedicab industry to protect riders.

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EXCLUSIVE: Manhattan ‘bully’ pedicab driver tries to charge whopping $500 ride to Pennsylvania tourists

A pedicab with two passengers overturned in Central Park after colliding with a Hansom cab. The incident occurred around 12:09 p.m. on the 65th Street Transverse. The pedicab driver sustained a minor knee injury and was transported to New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. The passengers also appeared to have minor injuries, according to a witness, and were seen lying on their side until the arrival of the police.

For more information:

https://nypost.com/2016/10/14/horse-drawn-carriage-overturns-in-central-park/

The story captures a unique New York City experience, where the author, returning to the city for the first time in 20 years, opts for a pedicab ride over waiting in a long taxi line at Penn Station on a sweltering Friday afternoon. Challenging the pedicab driver’s rate of $5/minute and intrigued by the prospect of a quicker, albeit more expensive, journey, the author decides to embrace the opportunity for a new story amid the city’s bustling streets. The ride becomes an adventure through traffic, a chance for conversation on diverse topics, and an introduction to Jayson Gladstone, the pedicab driver who is also an actor with a film debuting on Amazon Prime. The narrative highlights the vibrancy and interconnected stories within New York City, reflecting on how its energy intertwines with the lives of its inhabitants and visitors.

For more information:

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/new-york-by-pedicaba-15-minute-interview-on-the_b_5761b82ce4b02081542faef8