New York Pedicab Services Blog & News

Savas Avci, a pedicab driver accused of scamming tourists by charging exorbitant fares, is facing an administrative court hearing that could result in the loss of his pedicab license. Although he wasn’t initially breaking any laws with his high prices, new city regulations now restrict what pedicabs can charge. The Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) is pursuing action against Avci for allegedly overloading his pedicab, falsifying receipts, and unlawfully charging sales tax—practices that are illegal for pedicab operators. One notable incident involved Avci charging a Texas family $442.54 for a 12-minute ride, which included hidden fees and an unauthorized sales tax. The DCA aims to revoke his license due to these violations.

For more information:

https://nypost.com/2013/04/15/ny-brake-pedi-con/

Osman Zenk, a pedicab operator who previously had his license revoked for allegedly controlling more than 100 pedicabs—well over the city’s limit of 30—can regain his license after a Manhattan judge ruled in his favor. The court decision hinged on the definition of “immediate family,” as Zenk argued that his mother-in-law, Elda Pastor, who runs Cycle Cab Inc. from his garage, should not count as part of his immediate family. Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Joan Lobis agreed, allowing Zenk to reclaim his license. However, city officials still suspect that Zenk is finding ways to bypass the fleet size limit.

For more information:

https://nypost.com/2013/04/10/pedicab-honcho-scores-kin-win/

Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed a new law aimed at regulating pedicab fares in New York City to prevent confusing and exorbitant charges, such as a Texas family being charged over $400 for a 14-block ride. The new rules, effective next summer, will require pedicabs to charge by the minute, with visible timers, instead of the current system of charging by block and per passenger, which often includes hidden fees. The law, sponsored by City Councilor Daniel Garodnick, is intended to protect passengers from unexpected or illegal charges. About 700 pedicabs operate in the city, mainly serving tourists.

For more information:

https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2012/12/15/nyc-mayor-signs-law-restricting-pedicab-fares/qoxJFcfosnk6UasJY0QORJ/story.html

Mayor Michael Bloomberg postponed signing a proposal aimed at regulating pedicab rates, citing concerns about potential discrimination against pedicab drivers. The proposal, which had unanimous City Council support, would require pedicabs to charge by the minute with a visible timer to prevent price-gouging. This comes after incidents like a Texas family being charged $442 for a 14-block ride. Pedicab owner Ibrahim Donmez argued that the rate system is unfair and discriminatory, suggesting that drivers should provide written fare estimates instead. Pedicabs have been under scrutiny since 2007, leading to licensing, safety standards, and fleet caps, with continued efforts to regulate the industry. Bloomberg, an advocate for pedicabs as eco-friendly, said he would decide on the measure by Friday.

For more information:

https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/mayor-bloomberg-halts-proposal-on-nyc-pedicab-charges/

The New York City Council approved new regulations for pedicabs to protect tourists from being overcharged. The legislation requires pedicab drivers to charge by the minute, with a visible timer, replacing the confusing system of charging by city blocks and adding various fees. This change comes after incidents like a Texas family being charged over $400 for a 14-block ride. The new rules, which Mayor Bloomberg has agreed to sign, aim to standardize pricing and increase transparency. The New York City Pedicab Owners’ Association supports the legislation, hoping it will reduce price gouging, though they believe raising driver standards would also help.

For more information:

https://www.yahoo.com/news/nyc-council-oks-bill-setting-pedicab-rates-232918912.html

New York City officials are addressing the issue of pedicab drivers charging excessive fees, particularly after a couple was charged over $400 for a 12-minute ride. In response, City Council members, led by Councilman Dan Garodnick, introduced a bill aimed at curbing these “outrageous fares,” which are common in areas like Central Park and Times Square. The bill, which is set to be voted on by the City Council, would require pedicab drivers to use visible timers during rides, charge only a per-minute rate, and provide passengers with information cards detailing the rate, driver’s name, and license number. The bill also prohibits any hidden fees, surcharges, or mandatory gratuities. The New York City Pedicab Owners’ Association and the Department of Consumer Affairs support the bill, seeing it as a way to protect consumers and improve the industry’s reputation.

For more information:

https://www.gothamgazette.com/index.php/topics/2134-how-the-city-council-plans-to-rein-in-the-wild-west-of-pedicabs-a-policy-brief

The New York City Council is cracking down on pedicab drivers who overcharge passengers by implementing new regulations. A bill, which has received unanimous approval from a key committee and is expected to pass the full council, mandates that drivers charge a per-minute rate clearly displayed on the pedicab and a rate card given to passengers before the ride. Drivers must also have a timer visible to passengers to track the ride’s duration.

These new rules, which will take effect in April, aim to eliminate surprise charges at the end of rides, a problem highlighted by incidents like a Texas family being charged $442.54 for a 12-minute ride. The bill’s sponsor, Councilman Dan Garodnick, emphasized that deception should not be a legitimate business practice in the city. The New York City Pedicab Owners’ Association supports the measure, hoping it will reduce fraudulent practices.

Garodnick noted that while this bill addresses pricing, other issues, such as reckless driving by pedicab operators, still need regulation. He encouraged riders who feel they have been overcharged to report it by calling 311.

For more information:

https://nypost.com/2012/11/27/fare-strikes-out/

Many people in New York City have been overcharged for pedicab rides, with some tourists paying exorbitant amounts like $80 for just a few blocks. To address this, the City Council is set to approve a measure aimed at preventing such confusion and ensuring that customers are not exploited. Although current law requires drivers to post their prices clearly, this has often been ignored, with some drivers using confusing rate formulas and tiny fonts to deceive passengers. There have been extreme cases, such as a Texas family being charged over $440 for a 12-minute ride covering 14 blocks. While drivers can set their own prices, the standard rate is usually around $2 to $3 per block.

For more information:

https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/city-council-to-approve-measure-aimed-at-clearing-up-pedicab-price-confusion/

The city is tightening regulations on pedicabs with a new bill that passed a key City Council committee. Supported by Mayor Bloomberg, the legislation mandates that pedicab operators charge by the minute and display the fees on their vehicles. Currently, some drivers have charged over $100 per rider, surprising unsuspecting tourists. The bill, sponsored by Councilman Dan Garodnick, also requires operators to provide passengers with rate cards detailing fees. The legislation, which passed the Consumer Affairs Committee unanimously, will likely be approved by the full Council and take effect next spring. Garodnick emphasized the need to eliminate surprises in pricing and to continue regulating the industry, which is notorious for reckless driving and overcharging tourists. Riders who feel overcharged are encouraged to call 311. Additionally, Councilman Oliver Koppell plans to introduce a bill to transfer pedicab regulation from the Department of Consumer Affairs to the Taxi & Limousine Commission.

For more information:

https://nypost.com/2012/11/26/pedicab-price-check-new-bill-halts-exorbitant-fees/

A Texas family was charged $442 for a 14-block pedicab ride in New York City, sparking City Council action to address confusing pricing practices in the pedicab industry. Pedicab operators can set their own rates, often using a complex formula that passengers find unclear, leading to unexpected high fares. In this case, the driver charged $100 per additional passenger, even though the family’s two young daughters sat on their laps, and four passengers in a pedicab is illegal. The City Council is considering scrapping rate cards in favor of a per-minute pricing system to prevent such surprises. While drivers acknowledge abuse of the current system, they have differing opinions on how to regulate fares. Some, like Greg Zuman of the New York City Pedicab Owners Association, suggest prices should be quoted upfront. Pedicabs, introduced in the 1990s as a cheaper alternative to horse-drawn carriages, now have 1,335 licensed drivers in the city.

For more information:

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/2012-10-27-new-york-city-council-tourists-pay-274-pedicab-ride.html