Ibrahim Barrie, a pedicab driver and immigrant from Sierra Leone, is seeking a dialogue with Mayor Bill de Blasio as the City Council is about to vote on a bill that could significantly impact his livelihood. The proposed bill, part of de Blasio’s plan, aims to reorganize the horse carriage industry within Central Park, establish a new stable for the horses, and restrict pedicab operations to the park’s northern end above 85th Street. This restriction has sparked protests from the pedicab community, predominantly consisting of immigrants, who argue that the mayor’s proposal will push them out of business by limiting their access to the more tourist-frequented lower parts of Central Park.
Barrie and over a hundred pedicab drivers have rallied at City Hall, demanding to be included in discussions about the proposal, which they believe was made without adequate consideration of its impact on their industry. The Department of Parks and Recreation claims the rule aims to create balance within the overcrowded park, but pedicab drivers fear it will end their operations by excluding them from their main business area. An alternative suggestion from the pedicab community involves negotiating a compromise that allows them to operate between 59th to 77th Street, preserving their access to tourists and ensuring their survival. Despite these concerns, Mayor de Blasio’s office has not directly addressed the pedicab drivers’ requests, stating only that an adjustment was needed for balance.
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