New York Pedicab Services Blog & News

A pedicab crash in Brooklyn left four people injured after the driver, Nicholas Nicometi, lost control coming off the Williamsburg Bridge and collided with a taxi. The accident occurred at 7:26 a.m., injuring Nicometi, a female passenger, and two male passengers. Nicometi was in serious condition, while the woman and one man suffered less severe injuries. The passengers had asked Nicometi to slow down as he sped and swerved on the bridge. Although a law prohibits pedicabs from traveling on bridges, it has not been enforced due to unresolved legal issues. Pedicab industry regulation has faced delays, with calls for safety measures like seat belts and passenger limits being stalled by legal battles. The incident highlighted the lack of accountability and enforcement in the pedicab industry.

For more information:

https://www.newyorkbikelawyer.com/blog/2012/january/four-hurt-in-nyc-pedicab-accident/

Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed a new law aimed at regulating pedicab fares to prevent overcharging, following incidents like a Texas family being charged over $400 for a short ride. The new rules, effective in six months, will require pedicabs to charge by the minute with visible timers, replacing the current confusing system of per-block and per-passenger fees. The New York City Pedicab Owners’ Association supports the changes, believing it will help curb overcharging, though some drivers, like Ibrahim Donmez, argue that the rules won’t standardize fares due to varying pedaling speeds. Donmez is considering legal action. This follows earlier regulations in 2007 and 2009 that set licensing, safety standards, and capped the pedicab fleet at 850.

For more information:

https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/New-York-City-mayor-signs-law-restricting-pedicab-11523111.php

Tensions have arisen among pedicab drivers in San Francisco due to the arrival of West Coast Pedicab from San Diego, which local drivers accuse of breaking unwritten rules and lacking proper permits. Established drivers like Daniel Crew from San Francisco Pedicabs claim that West Coast drivers “jump the line” by poaching passengers near the Ferry Building. The arrival of West Coast Pedicab has sparked concern among local companies, who fear the newcomers will damage their reputations by overcharging tourists, such as one instance where a tourist was charged $100 for a $20 ride. Local drivers have complained to the police and protested against issuing permits to West Coast drivers. Despite the conflict, business continues, and Mr. Crew ultimately secured passengers after the confrontation.

For more information:

The author recounts witnessing a reckless pedicab driver nearly hitting a pedestrian, reinforcing their view that pedicab drivers are often dangerous and disregard traffic laws. The combination of reckless taxi driving and the anti-authority attitude of urban cyclists, they argue, makes pedicab drivers particularly hazardous. Despite the chaotic traffic environment in New York, the author notes that in accident reports involving pedicabs, the blame usually falls on the pedicab drivers. Although the NYPD once considered cracking down on unsafe pedicab driving, the author believes little has changed. They share a personal experience of riding a pedicab, during which they felt terrified and vowed never to ride one again, adding humorously that many things in New York City seem dangerous, including vampires.

For more information:

https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/nina-in-new-york-pedicabs-are-for-lunatics/

A pedicab driver, Firdaus Nazarov, is on the run after allegedly assaulting two men in Central Park on June 4. Nazarov, along with Furkat Abidov and two other unidentified individuals, attacked the victims, ages 19 and 25, resulting in one suffering a broken nose and the other sustaining cuts and bruises. Abidov was arrested on June 9 and charged with gang assault, while authorities continue to search for Nazarov, who is also known to be an avid kickboxer.

For more information:

https://nypost.com/2011/07/20/pedicab-thug-on-loose-cops/