Comments on: Pedicab Limits: Let the Free Market Decide http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/04/13/pedicab-limits-let-the-free-market-decide/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:07:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: ddartley http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/04/13/pedicab-limits-let-the-free-market-decide/comment-page-1/#comment-30791 ddartley Fri, 13 Apr 2007 21:21:57 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/04/13/pedicab-limits-let-the-free-market-decide/#comment-30791 Orcutt- yes, that's an important point that is overlooked. I heard someone from the pediab biz on the radio pointing that out, and suggested that that shows that taxi opposition to pedicabs doesn't necessarily come from taxi DRIVERS, but rather medallion and fleet owners. If it's true, it's another example of how opposition to pedicabs is far from a "people's" movement. Orcutt- yes, that’s an important point that is overlooked. I heard someone from the pediab biz on the radio pointing that out, and suggested that that shows that taxi opposition to pedicabs doesn’t necessarily come from taxi DRIVERS, but rather medallion and fleet owners. If it’s true, it’s another example of how opposition to pedicabs is far from a “people’s” movement.

]]> By: Orcutt http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/04/13/pedicab-limits-let-the-free-market-decide/comment-page-1/#comment-30790 Orcutt Fri, 13 Apr 2007 21:02:55 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/04/13/pedicab-limits-let-the-free-market-decide/#comment-30790 A bit lost in all this is the fact that taxis and pedi-cabs probably don't compete for customers that much. Maybe traffic is so bad that a few people are taking pedi-cabs from Midtown to Canal Street but I suspect people traveling that far and have time constraints are less than 1% of the pedi-cab market. A bit lost in all this is the fact that taxis and pedi-cabs probably don’t compete for customers that much. Maybe traffic is so bad that a few people are taking pedi-cabs from Midtown to Canal Street but I suspect people traveling that far and have time constraints are less than 1% of the pedi-cab market.

]]> By: brent http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/04/13/pedicab-limits-let-the-free-market-decide/comment-page-1/#comment-30786 brent Fri, 13 Apr 2007 18:42:50 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/04/13/pedicab-limits-let-the-free-market-decide/#comment-30786 Glad someone is acknowledging that there is debate on this topic. I want to express the direct threat I feel from this bogus legislation. Pedicabs are essentially cargo bikes and are generally found plying 5th and 6th Aves with the rest of the cyclists. They are contributing, rather significantly, to the safety in numbers psychology that cyclists often refer to. There are still very few cyclist, but every rider helps. Regulation will effectively eliminate pedicabs. This will mean fewer bikes on the streets. When Quinn says things like “We need to make sure pedicabs don't clog our streets” she is really saying she wants fewer cyclists on the streets. She wants that tiny bit of PUBLIC street space that pedicabs use to be for taxis. She also mentions safety concerns, but I guarantee doesn't have any statistics showing bikes clipping along at 8 mph are nearly as dangerous as vehicles. Yesterday I was in a taxi in midtown who I caught going 50 mph just to make a couple lights. Quinn and company don't have two feet to stand on. That is why, whether or not you use pedicabs, if you care about increasing cycling as a viable means of transportation, please oppose Quinn and the rest of her shameful backers. Make your voice heard! Glad someone is acknowledging that there is debate on this topic. I want to express the direct threat I feel from this bogus legislation. Pedicabs are essentially cargo bikes and are generally found plying 5th and 6th Aves with the rest of the cyclists. They are contributing, rather significantly, to the safety in numbers psychology that cyclists often refer to. There are still very few cyclist, but every rider helps. Regulation will effectively eliminate pedicabs. This will mean fewer bikes on the streets. When Quinn says things like “We need to make sure pedicabs don’t clog our streets” she is really saying she wants fewer cyclists on the streets. She wants that tiny bit of PUBLIC street space that pedicabs use to be for taxis. She also mentions safety concerns, but I guarantee doesn’t have any statistics showing bikes clipping along at 8 mph are nearly as dangerous as vehicles. Yesterday I was in a taxi in midtown who I caught going 50 mph just to make a couple lights. Quinn and company don’t have two feet to stand on. That is why, whether or not you use pedicabs, if you care about increasing cycling as a viable means of transportation, please oppose Quinn and the rest of her shameful backers. Make your voice heard!

]]> By: ddartley http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/04/13/pedicab-limits-let-the-free-market-decide/comment-page-1/#comment-30782 ddartley Fri, 13 Apr 2007 17:40:28 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/04/13/pedicab-limits-let-the-free-market-decide/#comment-30782 I am so happy that the business motivation of Quinn's position is starting to get some press. Please stay on your Council Members' cases about this! I am so happy that the business motivation of Quinn’s position is starting to get some press.

Please stay on your Council Members’ cases about this!

]]>