New York Pedicab Services Blog & News

The horse and carriage industry in New York City is facing competition from pedicab drivers who allegedly use deceptive practices to lure tourists away from traditional carriage rides, claiming to offer both services when they are not connected. This has led to calls for intervention from the de Blasio administration, despite the industry’s previous conflicts with City Hall. The issue centers around pedicab drivers falsely advertising horse carriage rides and misleading customers about pricing and park regulations, alongside using illegal motors on their bikes. Following complaints, the Consumer Affairs Department conducted enforcement actions, resulting in a temporary increase in business for carriage drivers and 15 summonses being issued for various infractions.

Leaders of the horse-carriage industry have lobbied for stricter enforcement of regulations governing pedicabs, including the requirement to post rates clearly and prohibitions on motorized assistance, seeking a level playing field rather than opposing the presence of pedicabs. On the other hand, representatives and some drivers from the pedicab industry acknowledge the issue of misleading customers but also highlight harassment from carriage drivers and emphasize their compliance with directing tourists to their preferred mode of transportation. The situation has led to ongoing tension between the two groups, with city officials and the Consumer Affairs Department taking steps to address the deceptive practices and enforce existing laws.

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Police Commissioner Bill Bratton expressed frustration with the complexity of pedicab regulations in New York City, highlighting the challenges faced by law enforcement in dealing with the rickshaw business. During a radio interview, Bratton described the pedicab laws as “Byzantine” and overly complicated, admitting that even after consulting with the city’s top attorney for three hours, he remained confused about the regulations. This situation reflects broader concerns about the lack of effective regulation and enforcement in the pedicab industry, as evidenced by a recent report noting that not a single pedicab driver had been ticketed by the Department of Consumer Affairs up to mid-May of the current year. Bratton called for a simplification of the laws to make it easier for police officers to enforce them and manage the challenges posed by pedicabs, particularly those exploiting tourists.

For more information:

https://nypost.com/2015/06/11/even-bill-bratton-doesnt-understand-pedicab-laws/

The de Blasio administration has not issued a single ticket to pedicab drivers or businesses in 2015, a stark decrease from previous years under Mayor Mike Bloomberg when enforcement was significantly stricter. In 2014, only four drivers were ticketed, compared to 97 during the same period in 2013. Pedicab drivers have noticed the leniency, attributing the reduction in tickets to the change in administration. Tourists, such as Akiva Abdurahmanov from Israel, report being aggressively approached by pedicab drivers with exorbitant rate quotes, despite the legal requirement for drivers to post clear, consistent rates. The Department of Consumer Affairs attributes the enforcement drop to legal challenges that have limited their ability to conduct random stops, but plans to resume inspections in collaboration with the Law Department, Parks Department, and NYPD, aiming to address the ongoing issue of overcharging and harassment by pedicab drivers towards tourists.

For more information:

https://nypost.com/2015/06/04/de-blasio-administration-hasnt-issued-one-pedicab-ticket-in-2015/

Under Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration, enforcement against pedicab violations has significantly decreased, with not a single ticket issued to pedicab drivers as of mid-May this year, compared to 97 tickets during the same period in 2013 under Mayor Mike Bloomberg. This decline in enforcement follows court rulings that limit the ability of inspectors to randomly stop pedicabs, but critics argue this shouldn’t result in zero enforcement. Suggestions have been made for the Department of Consumer Affairs to employ undercover investigations to tackle ongoing rip-offs, such as exorbitant charges to tourists. The lack of current enforcement contrasts sharply with previous efforts that led to a quarter of pedicab drivers quitting and the remainder moderating their behavior, indicating a need for the city to intensify its regulatory efforts.

For more information:

https://nypost.com/2015/06/04/the-city-gives-up-on-policing-pedicab-sleaze/

An illegal motorized pedicab parked in a Midtown Manhattan parking garage caused a three-alarm fire after its battery likely exploded on Friday morning. The incident occurred in the basement of a garage near East 54th Street and Madison Avenue, in an area designated for off-duty pedicabs. The fire, which took 145 firefighters about an hour and a half to extinguish, spread to surrounding pedicabs but did not damage any cars. The use of golf-cart-like motors beneath passenger seats, a common practice among pedicab drivers to work longer hours without fatigue, is against city law due to the increased risk of accidents and incidents like this fire. This event follows a similar occurrence in September when a pedicab with an illicit motor overheated and caught fire in Central Park.

For more information:

https://nypost.com/2015/05/30/illegal-pedicab-bursts-into-flames-sets-off-three-alarm-fire/

A pedicab fire in a Midtown parking garage on 17 E. 54th St. prompted a response from more than 100 firefighters on Friday morning. The incident began at 10:34 a.m. when a pedicab parked on the ground level caught fire, leading to surrounding pedicabs also igniting. The FDNY managed to bring the fire under control by 12:05 p.m. The street was closed from 5th to Madison avenues as a result. Workers speculate that the fire might have been initiated by an exploding pedicab battery. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries from the incident.

For more information:

https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20150529/midtown/106-firefighters-respond-parking-garage-blaze-midtown/

The Mark Hotel, located on East 77th Street between Madison and 5th Avenue in New York City, is known for its luxury services and celebrity guests, especially during the pre-Met gala events. This summer, the hotel is enhancing its offerings by providing shuttle services to Bergdorf Goodman via pedicabs for their guests. This exclusive service includes 24/7 access to the flagship store on Fifth Avenue, with the option for guests to have their driver wait outside to transport any purchases back to the hotel. Additionally, guests who spend $2000 or more at Bergdorf will receive a $500 shopping spree and a complimentary facial at the store’s spa. This promotion runs from June through September, adding an extra layer of luxury to the hotel’s already impeccable concierge care.

For more information:

https://www.bustle.com/articles/85889-nycs-mark-hotel-will-provide-shuttle-service-to-bergdorf-goodman-adding-a-new-meaning-to-luxury

An incident occurred in Central Park around 96th Street where a pedicab overturned, leading to emergency workers extricating a woman from the carriage on Sunday morning. The cause of the vehicle flipping was not immediately clear. The woman was found upside down in the pedicab, receiving attention from EMS personnel and wearing a neck brace, but it was uncertain if there were any other injuries. Police were seen speaking with another woman who appeared to be unharmed. A local, expressing concern, highlighted the high speed and congestion in the area, citing it as dangerous with the mix of bicycles, runners, skates, and now pedicabs. There was no immediate information available from NYPD and FDNY spokespeople regarding the incident.

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The city is taking steps to enforce a ban on motorized pedicabs by clarifying previously ambiguous legislation from 2007, which aimed to regulate the industry but was so poorly drafted that it was considered unenforceable by the Department of Consumer Affairs. The need for revision is driven by safety concerns and the desire to protect the public from the dangers associated with motorized pedicabs. Department Commissioner Julie Menin emphasized the importance of having a clear law with the power to effectively regulate the industry. The revised law will explicitly prohibit the operation of pedicabs that are propelled by any motor or mechanical device, aiming to remove any ambiguity from the original legislation. The city plans to finalize and enforce these new rules following a public hearing scheduled for June 15, marking a significant move towards the regulation of pedicabs in the city.

For more information:

https://nypost.com/2015/05/19/new-laws-could-spell-the-end-of-motorized-pedicabs/

Uber has partnered with HBO Now to offer a unique “Game of Thrones” experience, #RideOfThrones, to fans in New York. This promotion, available on Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., provides fans with two options: a Throne option for a photo opportunity with a replica of the Iron Throne (though not for riding around the city) and a pedicab ride within a specific area of Manhattan. Both services are offered free of charge, with Uber promising quick arrival times. The event has seen high demand, with many fans waiting to access the Throne ride option, but the pedicab rides have been more readily available. The promotion has been popular among fans, with many engaging deeply with the “Game of Thrones” theme, including speaking in character and humming the show’s theme song during their rides.

For more information:

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/game-thrones-uber-brings-iron-789250/