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/