Ibrahim Barrie, a 28-year-old immigrant from Sierra Leone, has built a life and business driving a pedicab in Central Park, New York. Over nearly a decade, Barrie has transformed his job into a thriving venture, owning three pedicabs and teaching new drivers about the trade. However, Mayor Bill de Blasio’s proposal to limit horse carriages in Central Park and ban pedicabs south of 85th Street threatens the pedicab industry, potentially depriving drivers like Barrie of access to key tourist areas and landmarks.
The plan, part of an attempt to regulate the more influential horse carriage industry, has caused significant concern among pedicab operators, who rely on tourists for their income. Despite occasional negative perceptions of pedicab drivers overpricing rides, most are diligent, licensed professionals contributing to the city’s vibrant tourism sector. The industry, capped at 850 registration plates, consists predominantly of immigrants without a union to protect their interests.
City officials have not clarified why pedicabs were included in the deal with the horse-carriage business, a move that aligns with de Blasio’s campaign promise supported by some of his political donors. The proposal has sparked fear among drivers like Barrie, who supports his family in New York and Sierra Leone through his work. Barrie’s day starts with a lengthy commute from South Brooklyn to Central Park, where he navigates through traffic to share the city’s stories with visitors, providing a peaceful and engaging experience away from the stress of his past life in war-torn Sierra Leone.
The City Council’s response to the job losses potentially caused by the proposal remains vague, with Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito suggesting there are other opportunities in the city. Meanwhile, pedicab drivers like Barrie face an uncertain future, as the peaceful sanctuary of Central Park and their livelihoods hang in the balance.
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