New York Pedicab Services Blog & News

n Midtown, a hit-and-run incident involving a pedicab resulted in injuries to two people. The event occurred just before 8 p.m. on a Sunday at 48th Street and 8th Avenue. The driver, suspected to be in his 20s, hit the pedicab and fled, only to crash his vehicle into a parked car 8 blocks later, causing it to flip. The driver was then arrested by the police. Among the injured was the pedicab driver, who declined medical help. The condition of the injured parties remains unclear, and legal action against the driver is anticipated.

For more information:

https://abc7ny.com/midtown-hit-and-run-pedicab-crash-manhattan/10756465/

A drunk driver, Ibrahim Dembele, was arrested after a series of collisions in New York City that involved hitting a pedicab, multiple cars, and a pedestrian. The incident occurred near the Port Authority Bus Terminal around 8 p.m. on a Sunday. Dembele initially struck a pedicab and another vehicle while backing into an intersection at W. 40th Street and Eighth Avenue. He then fled north on Eighth Avenue, leading to a chase by NYPD officers on foot. The pursuit ended at W. 48th Street where Dembele hit two additional cars and a pedestrian, resulting in his vehicle flipping. Two men, aged 43 and 63, were reported as victims, though details about the pedestrian were not specified. Dembele was taken to Bellevue Hospital for testing and was charged with drunk driving, leaving the scene of a crash, and reckless driving.

For more information:

https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2021/06/07/reckless-drunk-hit-and-run-driver-arrested-after-midtown-crash

In Times Square on Thursday night, two pedicab drivers were assaulted following a dispute with a large group of teenagers around 9:30 p.m. at 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue. The confrontation escalated, resulting in one driver being stabbed in the leg and the other slashed on the wrist. Additionally, one of their pedicabs was stolen. Police were questioning three individuals in connection to the incident as of Thursday night.

For more information:

https://pix11.com/news/local-news/manhattan/pedicab-drivers-stabbed-slashed-by-group-of-teens-in-times-square-nypd/

Liam Neeson has voiced concerns over the impact of pedicabs on the traditional horse-carriage business in New York City, highlighting the issue of tourists and locals being scammed by illegal vendors. With instances like Alec Baldwin’s family being scammed by illegal ticket sellers in Battery Park, Neeson points out the broader issue of tourist exploitation throughout NYC. Despite regulations, illegal vending and solicitation persist in areas like Times Square and Central Park, undermining licensed businesses and misleading tourists. Neeson notes that Central Park entrances are plagued by unauthorized hawkers and pedicabs, which interfere with the horse-carriage industry by soliciting tourists directly in front of carriage stands, often leading to confusion and disappointment for those looking forward to a carriage ride. Despite repeated complaints from carriage drivers to city agencies and the NYPD about illegal activities harming their business, there has been a lack of comprehensive enforcement from the city. The call is for Mayor de Blasio and the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection to take decisive action to protect both tourists and legitimate businesses from these practices, striving to make NYC the fairest big city in America by enforcing existing regulations against illegal vending and ensuring a fair competitive environment for all.

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A viral video showcases a moment of camaraderie in lower Manhattan, where two individuals assisted NYPD Officer Brett Armstrong after his finger got stuck in the trunk of his squad car. The incident occurred on Baxter Street near the courts, contrasting sharply with recent events where police were targeted with water attacks. Armstrong had trapped his middle finger while placing a pedicab driver’s belongings in the trunk, a driver he and his partner Officer Yan Poon had arrested for lacking a seatbelt. Upon calling for help, a passerby immediately responded, attempting to unlock the driver’s-side door but mistakenly opened the hood. With the assistance of a few more people, they successfully opened the trunk, freeing Armstrong’s finger after about three minutes. Armstrong, who suffered a pinched digit, expressed his gratitude with a fist bump, citing the incident as a restoration of his faith in humanity. This event came to light shortly after videos of individuals dousing police officers with water had sparked widespread condemnation among law enforcement and union officials.

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An NYPD officer, Brett Armstrong, found himself in a peculiar situation when his middle finger got stuck in the trunk of his police vehicle in Lower Manhattan on a Sunday afternoon. Armstrong and his partner were placing a pedicab driver’s belongings into the trunk following the driver’s arrest due to the absence of seatbelts in his cab. During the process, the trunk lid closed on Armstrong’s right hand, trapping his finger. After calling for help, a civilian approached, accessed Armstrong’s keys, and after initially opening the hood by mistake, successfully opened the trunk with assistance from three other individuals, as directed by Armstrong to the release mechanism “on the wheel.” The ordeal, which lasted about three minutes, was captured on video and thankfully, Armstrong did not sustain serious injuries.

For more information:

https://www.complex.com/life/a/gavin-evans/group-of-people-help-nypd-cop-who-got-finger-stuck-in-trunk

As New York considers legalizing e-bikes and e-scooters, pedicab drivers in NYC see an opportunity for growth. The recent bill passed by the State Senate and Assembly may allow pedicabs to use pedal-assist technology, transforming them from tourist attractions to viable transit options for short-distance trips. Despite the legalization of pedal-assist e-bikes, city regulations currently prohibit their use by pedicab drivers due to a ban influenced by the taxi industry, limiting the pedicabs’ potential and drivers’ earnings. Advocates argue that legalizing e-assist for pedicabs could increase maneuverability in traffic, enhance driver earnings by allowing more rides per day, and make the industry more accessible. However, concerns exist within the pedicab community regarding the use of fully motorized e-bikes that do not require pedaling, emphasizing the need for a distinction in regulation to maintain safety and preserve the essence of bicycling.

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