New York Pedicab Services Blog & News

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio faced a significant setback when his plan to restrict the horse-carriage industry in the city fell through, after the Teamsters union representing the carriage drivers withdrew their support. Initially, the deal proposed to limit carriages to Central Park, reduce the number of horses, and ban pedicabs from certain areas of the park, with plans to invest in a new stable within Central Park funded by public money. This plan, however, faced intense criticism and skepticism from various stakeholders, including horse-carriage drivers, pedicab drivers, parks advocates, and labor unions. Critics pointed out de Blasio’s campaign contributions from groups opposed to carriage horses, suggesting a potential conflict of interest.

The collapse of the deal was a considerable embarrassment for de Blasio, who had campaigned on the promise to ban horse carriages and had the presumed support of the City Council to pass the measure. The debacle highlighted the complex interplay of political, labor, and public interests in New York City politics. In the aftermath, the mayor expressed his disappointment and intention to seek a new compromise, while pedicab drivers and their supporters saw the bill’s failure as a victory, emphasizing their desire for inclusion in future negotiations. As de Blasio prepared for his State of the City speech amidst this controversy, his administration aimed to steer clear of similar political conflicts, reflecting on the horse-carriage issue as an avoidable dispute.

For more information:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/nyc-council-wont-vote-on-horse-carriage-deal-1454597315

Ali Salih, an Iraqi refugee and pedicab driver, shares his harrowing journey from Baghdad to New York City. Initially, he welcomed the U.S. Army’s arrival in Iraq, hoping for a better future free from Saddam Hussein’s tyranny. However, the promised safety and prosperity did not materialize, leading to widespread violence and loss. Witnessing the death of friends and family, and the destruction of his surroundings, Ali decided to leave Iraq. In 2007, he moved to Jordan and applied for refugee status in the U.S., arriving at Kennedy Airport in April 2008.

For the past eight years, Ali has worked tirelessly as a pedicab driver, working seven days a week to support his family back in Iraq, including sending money for basic necessities to his mother and supporting his disabled brother who was injured in the war. Ali’s job is not just a means of livelihood; it’s a lifeline for his family in Iraq. The recent proposal by Mayor de Blasio to restrict carriage horses to Central Park, effectively limiting pedicab access to areas below 85th Street where Ali primarily operates, threatens his only source of income. Ali argues that this move would devastate his and other pedicab drivers’ lives, equating the loss of livelihood to death, as it would strip them of their ability to provide for their families.

For more information:

Pedicab drivers will be jobless under Mayor de Blasio’s proposal

Mayor Bill de Blasio remains confident that his plan to relocate carriage horses to Central Park will be approved by the City Council, despite mounting opposition and criticism. The proposed bill aims to reduce the size of the horse carriage industry and move stables inside the park, a move that has sparked controversy among horse carriage medallion owners and pedicab drivers, with the latter being restricted from operating south of 86th Street in Central Park. The Transport Workers Union (TWU) has expressed readiness to sue on behalf of pedicab drivers if the bill passes, and the Central Labor Council, representing 1.3 million workers, has voiced concerns over potential job losses. Despite these challenges, de Blasio defended the bill, emphasizing its balanced nature and the legitimate representation by the Teamsters union in negotiations. However, City Councilman Rory Lancman has shifted to opposition due to what he perceives as the administration’s disregard for the plan’s consequences. Despite the backlash and concerns, some Council members believe the bill will pass, citing the resolution of previous issues and a commitment to support the Teamsters.

For more information:

De Blasio says his plan to move carriage horses into Central Park will pass, as medallion owners and pedicab drivers voice concerns

The Central Labor Council (CLC), representing 300 unions and 1.3 million workers, is supporting the Transport Workers Union Local 100 against Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan to limit pedicab operations in Central Park. This stance places the CLC in opposition to Teamsters Joint Council 16, which supports de Blasio’s proposal to reduce the horse carriage industry and move it into Central Park while banning pedicabs from the park’s southern, tourist-heavy areas. The conflict highlights a division within the labor community, as both the TWU and Teamsters presidents serve as vice presidents on the CLC’s executive board.

The CLC has been actively lobbying City Council members to oppose the bill, citing job losses in both the pedicab and horse carriage industries. This last-minute lobbying effort has reportedly caused confusion and resentment among some council members. Vincent Alvarez, president of the CLC, has a history of opposing legislation that threatens the horse carriage industry, emphasizing the importance of protecting workers’ livelihoods.

The pedicab drivers, fearing the loss of their industry, have been organizing with the TWU’s help to protest de Blasio’s proposal. TWU’s president has written to City Council members, describing the bill as anti-worker and anti-immigrant, and emphasizing the pedicab drivers’ role in tourism.

Despite the growing opposition, a spokesperson for Mayor de Blasio stated that the administration remains committed to the proposal, expressing confidence in reaching an agreement with the Teamsters and the Council Speaker. The situation underscores the complexity of balancing labor interests, tourism, and animal welfare in the debate over the future of Central Park’s horse carriages and pedicabs.

For more information:

https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/city-hall/story/2016/02/labor-leaders-at-odds-over-de-blasio-horse-carriage-proposal-030857

Mayor Bill de Blasio is facing stiff opposition as he tries to garner support for his controversial plan to reduce and restrict the horse-carriage industry to Central Park. This plan has sparked criticism from various groups, including the Central Labor Council, pedicab drivers, horse-carriage drivers, and the Central Park Conservancy. The proposed bill, which is set for a vote, aims to significantly cut the number of carriage horses and restrict pedicabs from operating in lucrative areas of the park. Opposition has grown to include threats of legal action and concerns over the impact on park traffic and the livelihoods of those involved in the carriage and pedicab industries. Some City Council members are considering using a rarely invoked rule to amend the bill on the day of the vote, reflecting the contentious nature of the debate. Despite the backlash, the administration remains confident in securing enough votes for the bill’s passage, citing a compromise that preserves the industry while addressing safety and welfare concerns. The issue has become a persistent challenge for de Blasio, highlighting the complexity of fulfilling campaign promises amid diverse and conflicting city interests.

For more information:

The Transport Workers Union Local 100 (TWU) has allied with pedicab drivers to oppose a city plan that would prohibit them from operating below 85th Street in Central Park. This restriction is part of a broader deal aimed at reducing the number of horse-drawn carriages and establishing a new stable in the park by 2018. The agreement, negotiated between the Teamsters Union, representing the carriage industry, and Mayor Bill de Blasio, did not initially consider the impact on pedicab drivers, prompting TWU’s intervention.

TWU President John Samuelsen criticized the exclusion of pedicab drivers from the negotiations, emphasizing the union’s commitment to safeguarding their jobs and opposing the legislation that threatens their livelihoods. The union plans to provide pedicab drivers with training, legal advice, and support to contest the ban, which they argue would significantly harm their ability to earn an income, especially since their primary business area is below the 85th Street Transverse.

Mayor de Blasio justified the restriction as a means to “balance” competing uses of the park, though critics argue that the decision adversely affects hundreds of workers without sufficient justification. The City Council is expected to conduct a public hearing and vote on the bill, with pedicab drivers and TWU seeking to have their voices heard in the legislative process. Pedicab drivers, many of whom are immigrants, are calling for inclusivity and a reconsideration of the plan that they believe unfairly targets their trade.

For more information:

https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20160202/upper-east-side/bid-keep-pedicabs-central-park-gets-transportation-unions-support/

The owners of all 68 horse carriage medallions in New York City have collectively opposed a bill proposing to relocate the industry into Central Park, criticizing the Teamsters union for agreeing to the plan with City Hall without consulting them. The medallion owners argue that the move, negotiated by the Teamsters and Mayor Bill de Blasio, would harm their livelihoods by downsizing the industry and delaying the construction of new stables until the end of 2018. Teamsters leader Demos Demopoulos defended the negotiations, asserting that carriage drivers were involved throughout the process and that the compromise aims to preserve the industry within Central Park. This disagreement marks a significant rift between the carriage industry and the Teamsters concerning the future of horse carriages in the city.

Additionally, the plan has drawn criticism for potentially impacting pedicab operators by banning them from operating south of 85th Street in Central Park, a move that has not been thoroughly studied according to Brooklyn City Councilman David Greenfield. He calls for a delay in the vote scheduled for Friday, demanding a more detailed analysis of the plan’s impact on jobs and the pedicab industry. Despite the opposition and calls for a delay, Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito supports the deal, with no plans to postpone the vote. The council is also set to vote on significant pay raises for itself at the same meeting, a decision that has faced criticism from advocacy groups.

For more information:

Owners of horse carriage medallions say moving industry into Central Park will harm their business

The article critiques Mayor Bill de Blasio’s controversial plan to move the horse carriage industry into Central Park as part of a compromise to address animal welfare concerns. This plan, perceived as a fulfillment of a campaign promise to animal rights groups who supported de Blasio, has sparked widespread criticism for its potential impact on the city’s iconic horse-drawn carriages, pedicab operators, and the allocation of public funds. Critics argue that the $25 million earmarked for building a new stable in Central Park could be better spent on more pressing city issues like housing. Furthermore, the proposal has raised questions about the use of public land for private industry and the logistics of having horses commute to their work location, which could disrupt park traffic.

The opposition extends to various stakeholders, including parks advocates, pedicab operators, and even the horse carriage owners themselves, who feel betrayed by their union’s negotiations with the city. Additionally, the plan includes a provision to ban pedicabs from the southern part of Central Park, which is criticized as unfair competition regulation. The deal has also been linked to a controversial vote on City Council members’ pay raises, further tarnishing the mayor’s image and raising concerns about the integrity of his administration.

The author advises the mayor to abandon the deal, noting that it undermines public trust in government, detracts from more significant issues facing the city, and is criticized even by those managing Central Park, who are concerned about its impact on the park’s environment. The controversy surrounding the horse carriage plan is depicted as a needless distraction that damages de Blasio’s credibility and diverts attention from the city’s real challenges.

For more information:

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/come-on-mr-mayor-leave-th_b_9130568

Councilman David Greenfield is urging the New York City Council to postpone the vote on Mayor Bill de Blasio’s contentious horse carriage plan, scheduled for Friday. Criticizing the plan as ill-prepared for a council decision, Greenfield highlighted the lack of clarity and unresolved issues surrounding the proposal, which includes restricting horse carriages to Central Park, constructing a $25 million stable on public land for the industry, and banning pedicabs from the southern part of the park. The plan has drawn criticism from various stakeholders, including parks advocates, animal activists, pedicab operators, stable owners, and drivers, many of whom are concerned about job losses and the legality of allocating park land to a private industry. The vote’s timing, coinciding with a council decision on its own pay raise, has also raised ethical questions. Despite the controversy, Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito’s office has not commented on the call for delay, while NYCLASS, an animal rights group, opposes any postponement, citing the safety of horses as a primary concern.

For more information:

https://observer.com/2016/02/councilman-calls-for-delay-in-horse-carriage-vote/

The Local Transport Workers Union (TWU Local 100) is offering support to pedicab drivers who may be adversely affected by Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan to overhaul the city’s horse carriage industry, which includes a ban on pedicab operations below 86th Street in Central Park. Union leaders argue that this restriction unfairly targets pedicab drivers, potentially jeopardizing their livelihoods. In response, TWU Local 100, known for representing subway and bus workers in the city, is providing the pedicab drivers with training, legal advice, and other forms of assistance. Mayor de Blasio has defended the overhaul, suggesting that pedicabs can continue operating in other areas and that a long-term plan for the industry will be developed. However, TWU Local 100’s president, John Samuelsen, criticizes the mayor’s actions as detrimental to the pedicab drivers, highlighting the lack of business opportunities north of 86th Street. The City Council is expected to vote on the mayor’s proposal soon, potentially as early as next Friday.

For more information:

https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2016/01/30/local-transport-workers-union-offers-assistance-to-pedicab-drivers-as-vote-on-horse-carriage-industry-overhaul-looms