Pedicab Will Be Regulated Next Year

After much talk earlier this year, the Post reports that pedi-cabs will be regulated by next year, with hearings to conclude by the end of the year. Many politicians had been worried with more and more pedicabs appearing, the lack of oversight (no licenses, no age limits, no set fares, no insurance) would leave passengers at risk. The head of the NYC Pedicab Owners Association does think regulation is a good idea, given that many more drivers appear in the summer months. There are some non-fans of pedicabs: Cab drivers, who say that pedicabs are stealing their business and that they are unsafe without seatbelts. The Department of Transportation says that pedicab drivers will be expected to have valid driver's licenses (it's probably too difficult to institute a separate pedicab license) and million-dollar insurance.

The Post also got some financials from three pedicab drivers; renting a cab can cost around $200-230 a week and some make $200-300 day. And we've noticed, after a Broadway show, cabs are scarce, but pedicabs were in full force. (Gothamist ended up taking a bus.)

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By Jen Chung in News on October 10, 2006 9:43 AM

Comments [rss]

Jake

Just say no to pedicabs and advocate walking and real bike lanes instead. Pedicabs are too slow to be used for any real distance, they clog the streets and they're always going to be dangerous.

zach

seatbelts would make a pedicab unsafe; think of being trapped into one as it got knocked over.. bike lanes are a simple and welcome addition, but, seriously, who takes pedicabs but tourists? I walk a few blocks to a subway or a less-crowded avenue for a cab.

kwanito

my buddy was the only rickshaw driver this past summer in manhattan. it was grueling for the first week, but not nearly as difficult the following weeks when he rented a pedicab instead. it's good money, if you can hustle properly and are physically fit.

Paul

How about making the infrastructure work for pedicabs? That would solve a lot of problems right away. Pedicabs must be considered when bike lanes are laid down. They're one of the most sensible forms of transit in a dense urban setting.

Paul

How about making the infrastructure work for pedicabs? That would solve a lot of problems right away. Pedicabs must be considered when bike lanes are laid down. They're one of the most sensible forms of transit in a dense urban setting.

g

pedicabs are only unsafe without seatbelts if they get hit by taxi cabs. kind of weird that cab drivers would make that criticism. how about safer driving and lower speeds for real cabs?

iggy

I may do that jonny, but first I'd like a sip of your Hate-o-rade, if I may, please.

jonny

iggy, go get your bugaboo stroller and walk around park slope for a while

iggy

Wow, somebody had a big bowl full of Bitter-Os this morning.

Grammar Nazi

You took the bus. Gothamist did not go anywhere as Gothamist is a bunch of data on the internet. And the entire gothamist staff didn't take the bus together either. This royal we shit you guys do here is fucking annoying.