Helen David, the only female pedicab driver in New York City, faces severe harassment from a group of male pedicab drivers in Columbus Circle, who are trying to force her out of the industry. This group, primarily licensed from Mali and Senegal, targets her with threats and physical intimidation, asserting that it is inappropriate for a woman to operate a pedicab. They disrupt her interactions with potential customers by surrounding her, offering lower prices, and verbally abusing her and her customers. Incidents of spitting and tire slashing have occurred, with one recent assault involving an attempt to kick her in the chest. David has reported these incidents to the police and is seeking a restraining order. She advocates for the requirement that all pedicab drivers in the city have U.S. driver’s licenses to ensure better regulation and safety standards, contrasting with current practices where drivers can operate with licenses from various international locations.
For more information:
https://nypost.com/2014/04/22/citys-only-woman-pedicab-driver-says-fellow-drivers-harass-her/