Comments on: Bloomberg Says He’ll Veto Pedicab Bill

By: Paul S.

Paul S. — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 05:47:39 +0000

Indeed this is a good start. Pedicabs are the step towards a future generation of green transportation. Unfortunately this bill and the vicious attitude towards cycling and environment it promulgates shows just how interested certain parties really are in our future well being as citizens.
Many pedicab operations and future buisness interests are on the precipice, with this bill deciding how the chips fall for eco-friendly devoplement. It may interest people to know there is great interest in expanding cycle livery, pedicabs, and mass cycling transit to general new york markets and outer boroughs within the industry. Local manufacturing is a thought also. Too bad we won't be able to bring them over the bridges even if we aren't capped...a cap means zero pedicabs for the outer boroughs, and a real missed opportunity at small buisness infrastructure growth citywide.

By: boon doggle

boon doggle — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 22:52:20 +0000

Agreed that the pedicabs need to start thinking about cracking into the locals market rather than just tourists. That will get them some support.

By: galvoguy

galvoguy — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 16:10:17 +0000

what is the formula for required liability insurance?
Why are pedicabs going to be required $2 million in insurance and taxi remain the same at $350,000?

By: nimby pimby

nimby pimby — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 14:49:21 +0000

The real problem, though, and the one that will allow this veto to be overriden, is that New Yorkers do not take pedicabs. These are almost entirely products for tourists. If many of the constituents of Quinn and the other City Councilmembers actually took pedicabs and this cap would restrict their access to them, the taxi lobby wouldn't matter. I don't know if it's a problem of the pedicab drivers and how they approach/charge people or a cultural one among New Yorkers. But until that changes, the pedicabs, cap or no, will have virtually no impact on making this city more environmentally friendly and less congested.

By: Jake

Jake — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 01:45:32 +0000

Not to be cynical, but isn't this 300 license cap purely the work of the taxi lobby? I went to a hearing about the pedicabs and a taxiworker lobbyist was practically beating his chest and boasting that the yellow taxis are 'new york's only legal form of hail taxi,' or something like that. Why is this? I'd love to look at the next round of campaign finance disclosures to see how many council member's campaign accounts are enriched by this override. I believe this is Quinn's first since she became Speaker.

By: Boogiedown

Boogiedown — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 21:40:41 +0000

"(T)he mayor also said he may be amenable to a revised version that simply raised the cap on the vehicles, known as pedicabs. He suggested 500 as a limit."

"Let the free marketplace decide" indeed.

By: ddartley

ddartley — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 20:59:25 +0000

Anon, spread your smart message around.

and to all NYC readers, continue to remind your Council Members that they now have a chance to take out the lousy provisions from the bill, rather than defend it in its current, 1950s-mindset draft in an override fight.

And make sure to tell them that you support Bloomberg's environmental sensibility in the face of their lack thereof!

By: l

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 20:47:19 +0000

Can anyone, especially Quinn, provide an example of a pedicab harming a pedestrian or causing a major accident?

By: anon

anon — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 18:44:35 +0000

The AP is reporting that Quinn plans to override his veto. She said: "We need to establish clear rider guidelines and passenger rights, and make sure pedicabs don't clog our streets or endanger pedestrians." Riiiiiiiight. Because as we all know, the biggest menace to pedestrians is pedicabs. What a crock. Pedicabs actually calm the streets and make them safe for pedestrians. And she wants to limit them.

By: Mike K.

Mike K. — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 16:58:20 +0000

hooray! a step in the right direction. now let's see we can get a new bill allowing pedicabs on bridges and in bike lanes...and no outlawing of electric assist.