Legislation was recently passed regulating the pedicab industry. And of course it is fraught with problems - disagreements, protests (even free rides are being offered) and threat of a lawsuit. The key elements of the new bill are requirement of liability insurance, limitation on total number which can operate in the city (325), ban on electric motors, ban on operation in Midtown from Nov. 12 through Jan. 7 and ability for police to restrict them in situations where there is heavy traffic, parades etc. Essentially, pedicabs are being brought to a level of regulation similar to the taxicab industry - the primary opposition. Taxi drivers allege they cause congestion, are dangerous and should be limited and regulated; pedicab drivers feel they are eco-friendly and the legislation is anti-environment and anti-small business. There is a novelty element riding in a pedicab, somewhat like a horse and carriage, but they can be pricey. I recently was returning home with a large number of packages. I thought I might take a ride and support the team - I was quoted $15 for 10 blocks (about $5 in a taxi). I decided to walk ...
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Pedicabs
Legislation was recently passed regulating the pedicab industry. And of course it is fraught with problems - disagreements, protests (even free rides are being offered) and threat of a lawsuit. The key elements of the new bill are requirement of liability insurance, limitation on total number which can operate in the city (325), ban on electric motors, ban on operation in Midtown from Nov. 12 through Jan. 7 and ability for police to restrict them in situations where there is heavy traffic, parades etc. Essentially, pedicabs are being brought to a level of regulation similar to the taxicab industry - the primary opposition. Taxi drivers allege they cause congestion, are dangerous and should be limited and regulated; pedicab drivers feel they are eco-friendly and the legislation is anti-environment and anti-small business. There is a novelty element riding in a pedicab, somewhat like a horse and carriage, but they can be pricey. I recently was returning home with a large number of packages. I thought I might take a ride and support the team - I was quoted $15 for 10 blocks (about $5 in a taxi). I decided to walk ...
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6 comments:
I never knew NYC had these-thanks for the information-where are they usually?
gucci muse - these days you find them everywhere on the streets, parks and near areas typically busy with taxis.
Brian
I had no idea pedicabs existed anywhere outside of the Far East and possibly India. Nice photograph to be sure.
Brian, Gucci, and Abraham...
I offer a free ride on any of the tricycles in this photograph Brian took when we were parked (legally after 6pm -smile-). I work as a mechanic and driver from the garage not too far away in the West Village.
We were attending, as members of the Green Transporters Association, a Town Hall meeting regarding the Mayor's plan for long term sustainability. He has created an office to oversee the plan. A room full of pedicab advocates (some became advocates at the meeting when they heard of the bill), spoke out against regulations, especially since they are so out of touch with the "2030 Plan" being presented at the meeting
Two days later, Wednesday, he had second thoughts in the face of industry leaders who spoke before him as he was set to sign the bill. He decided to "think it over" with those who pushed the bill quickly through Council before we felt is was ready.
We support fair regulations -- but what City Council put on that table is anything but fair.
See the latest at PedicabNews.com
$5 for 10 blocks with a large number of packages? Never in DC, I dare say. ;-) I
I've taken pedicabs in Munich, Germany. In Vienna I haven't seen any, but they have free bycicles (all you need to do is register with your Visa and off you ride).
We have a couple of traditional styled Pedicabs here in Nelson New Zealand. (only style we could afford)..We want more!! If you guys in New York wanna get rid of any cabs send em our way!! Better still :-) Invest $30,000.00 and we'll get 4 Mainstreet Pedicabs sent down and become part of a New Zealand First!.......Beautiful place, Beautiful people.... Cheers to The Big Apple :-)
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