New York Pedicab Services Blog & News

NYC Council Proposes Broadway Buffer Zone for Pedicabs

Pedicabs may be a tourist favorite in Midtown Manhattan, but for many New Yorkers—especially around the Theater District—they’re more of a nuisance than a novelty.

Now, some City Council members want to curb their presence near Broadway theaters. A newly proposed bill would prohibit pedicabs from operating within 50 feet of theater entrances, aiming to ease congestion and cut down on noise in some of the city’s most crowded streets.

“When pedicabs are lined up ringing their bells and calling out to tourists, it only adds to the chaos,” said Councilmember Erik Bottcher, who co-sponsored the legislation. He represents part of the Times Square area, where the issue is most acute.

The bill would not only enforce distance requirements but also require the Department of Transportation to post clear signage marking no-pedicab zones. According to Bottcher, many theaters already ask drivers to keep their distance—but enforcement is inconsistent.

“It’s not about banning pedicabs entirely,” he said. “They just need to respect the space around theater entrances.”

Some theatergoers agree. “If you want to ride one, great,” said Viviana Barcelo, a recent Broadway patron. “But if you don’t, it just feels crowded and uncomfortable.”

Beyond the physical congestion, the primary complaint is the noise. Theater staff, audiences, and even performers have reported disruptions from pedicabs blasting music during shows.

“You don’t want to hear ‘Empire State of Mind’ during an emotional monologue,” Bottcher said.

Pedicab drivers interviewed by Eyewitness News said they’d comply with any new rules. However, the New York Pedicab Alliance, which represents licensed operators, opposes the bill, arguing that better enforcement of existing regulations would more effectively weed out bad actors.

Gina Patrick, a frequent theatergoer, supports the proposal. “Tourists know what they’re looking for. The pedicabs don’t need to be right on top of them.”

Others questioned how much impact the move would really have. “How many people actually use them?” asked a theatergoer named Travis.

In areas like West 46th Street—home to four major theaters—the logistics could be tricky. Still, Bottcher insists pedicabs will have nearby options. “Some blocks have more theaters than others, but in most cases, drivers can still operate just a bit further down the street.”

Fines or penalties for violations have yet to be determined as the bill moves through City Council review.

For more information:


https://abc7ny.com/post/nyc-council-members-working-bill-ban-pedicabs-operating-broadway-theaters/16488524/

Proposed Council Bill Would Push Pedicabs 50 Feet Away from Broadway Houses

A trio of City Council members—Keith Powers, Erik Bottcher, and Chris Banks—has drafted legislation that would bar pedicabs from stopping, parking, or loading passengers within 50 feet of any Broadway theater entrance. The measure follows a surge of complaints from residents and theatergoers who say the tricycle taxis clog sidewalks and blast music such as “Empire State of Mind” during performances.

If adopted, the bill would also order the Department of Transportation to install signs marking “pedicab-restricted zones” around the Theater District.

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Supporters: Protect the Broadway Experience

Powers, whose district covers Midtown and parts of the East Side, said constituents routinely report noisy pedicabs outside stage doors. “We’re trying to get people back into seats and ensure their night at the theater is universally enjoyable,” he explained. The Times Square Alliance and the Broadway League back the proposal; League president Jason Laks called unregulated pedicabs “a significant challenge for audiences, staff, and law enforcement.”

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Drivers: Bill Misses the Real Problem

Kenneth Winter, co-founder of the 220-member New York Pedicab Alliance, concedes that loud music, pushy sales tactics, and hidden prices plague the industry. Still, he argues the legislation targets legitimate drivers rather than the estimated 90 percent of pedicabs that run without required licenses, registration plates, or liability insurance. “This won’t stop the bad actors,” Winter said. “It just takes income away from people operating in good faith.”

He blames the city’s weak enforcement—licenses issued without background checks and rare prosecution of unlicensed operators—for letting the problem fester. “It’s a mess the city doesn’t seem interested in cleaning up,” he added.

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Enforcement Already Ramping Up

In December, NYPD officers seized dozens of cabs they said were operating illegally in Midtown. Tom Harris, president of the Times Square Alliance, said such crackdowns show the need for clearer rules: “This bill is a first step toward holding unscrupulous operators accountable, though it won’t solve everything.”

The measure remains in committee, and a public hearing date has not yet been set.

For more information:

https://gothamist.com/arts-entertainment/a-new-bill-would-ban-pedicabs-from-broadway-some-drivers-say-it-misses-the-point

Council Bill Seeks to Quiet Pedicabs Near Broadway Theaters

A trio of New York City Councilmembers—Keith Powers, Erik Bottcher, and Chris Banks—has introduced legislation to keep pedicabs at least 50 feet away from Broadway theater entrances, citing mounting complaints about noise, sidewalk crowding, and price-gouging by unlicensed operators.

The proposed law would:

Prohibit pickups and drop-offs within 50 feet of any theater

Require the Department of Transportation to post “pedicab-restricted zone” signs

Supporters say the measure would help audiences enjoy shows without hearing blaring tunes like “Empire State of Mind” from idling pedicabs and would encourage visitors to return to Broadway as the industry rebounds.

“New Yorkers want a calmer, more welcoming theater experience,” Powers said. “This bill supports Broadway’s recovery and keeps the area manageable.”

Pushback from Licensed Drivers
Kenneth Winter of the New York Pedicab Alliance argues the plan punishes the minority who follow the rules while ignoring an estimated 90 percent of drivers who operate without proper licenses or insurance.

“Enforcement is practically nonexistent,” Winter said. “Licensed drivers will move, but illegal ones will keep doing business as usual.”

Industry Backing
The Broadway League and Times Square Alliance both endorsed stricter oversight. Jason Laks of the Broadway League called unregulated pedicabs a “significant challenge” for theatergoers and staff alike, while Times Square Alliance president Tom Harris said the bill “takes a needed step toward accountability.”

Next Steps
The proposal is still in committee; no hearing date has been set. Meanwhile, NYPD crackdowns—such as a December sweep that seized dozens of illegal pedicabs—highlight ongoing enforcement gaps the bill aims to close.

For more information:

https://lavocedinewyork.com/en/new-york/2025/05/19/new-york-bill-would-bar-pedicabs-near-broadway-theaters/

City Council Bill Aims to Silence Pedicabs Outside Broadway Theaters

A new proposal from the New York City Council could soon bar pedicabs from operating directly outside Broadway theaters, in response to long-standing complaints about noise and harassment.

The bill, introduced by Councilmembers Keith Powers and Erik Bottcher, would ban pedicabs from parking, stopping, or picking up and dropping off passengers within 50 feet of any theater entrance in the Theater District.

“As much as we love Alicia Keys’ ‘Empire State of Mind,’ there’s a time and place for it,” one of the bill’s sponsors said, referencing the song frequently blasted by pedicab drivers outside shows.

For years, theatergoers and residents have voiced frustration over pedicabs blaring music that disrupts performances and crowding sidewalks while aggressively soliciting customers.

Councilmember Bottcher acknowledged that pedicabs could be a fun and sustainable transportation option, but said current conditions have “gotten out of hand.”

“Many drivers are illegally blasting music that interferes with live theater,” he said. “This bill is about restoring some peace and order to the area.”

The Times Square Alliance has voiced support for the legislation. Its president applauded the councilmembers for addressing what he called “the chaos of the pedicab industry that plagues theatergoers.”

If passed, the law would establish clear no-pedicab zones around theaters and empower the Department of Transportation to enforce them.

For more information:

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/new-york-city/nyc-puts-forward-bill-to-ban-pedicabs-near-broadway-theaters/6249943/