New York Pedicab Services Blog & News

Mayor Bill de Blasio experienced a significant setback when his initiative to restrict the horse carriage industry in New York City was halted by the City Council. This initiative aimed to reduce the number of carriage horses and confine them to Central Park, but it faced opposition from various groups, leading to the Teamsters union withdrawing their support. The plan, which involved spending up to $25 million of taxpayer money on a new stable in the park, was criticized by community leaders, parks advocates, and the Transport Workers Union, which supported pedicab drivers opposing restrictions placed on them. Despite this political defeat and calls from some City Council members to move on from the issue, de Blasio vowed to continue his efforts to address the horse carriage industry, a promise he made during his mayoral campaign. The decision has sparked frustration among animal rights activists, particularly NYCLASS, which supported de Blasio’s campaign due to his stance on horse carriages. The controversy surrounding the horse carriage industry remains unresolved, with both supporters and opponents standing firm in their positions.

For more information:

https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2016/02/4/city-council-shelves-horse-carriage-bill

Mayor Bill de Blasio faced a significant setback as his initiative to limit the horse carriage industry in Manhattan abruptly failed, marking a considerable embarrassment for his administration. Despite de Blasio’s efforts and personal appeals to New York City Council members, the council canceled a vote on the bill, which sought to confine the industry’s horses to Central Park. The legislation’s failure highlighted the mayor’s isolation on the issue, opposed by labor unions, parks advocates, pedicab drivers, and other groups. The Teamsters union, representing carriage drivers, withdrew support, citing concerns for the industry’s future and the safety of their jobs. This withdrawal was pivotal, as the union’s support was deemed essential for securing the necessary council votes.

The plan, which also involved spending over $25 million on a new stable in Central Park, faced criticism for being out of touch with de Blasio’s core mission and for prioritizing the interests of wealthy donors over more pressing city issues. The collapse of the deal overshadowed de Blasio’s State of the City address and served as a painful reminder of previous legislative failures, such as the attempt to limit the expansion of Uber. Opposition to the horse carriage plan grew, with key figures and unions actively campaigning against it. The bill’s removal from the council’s calendar effectively defeated the initiative, prompting calls for the city to move on to more pressing matters. Despite the setback, de Blasio vowed to continue pursuing a solution, emphasizing his commitment to finding a new path forward on the issue.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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