Though its normally not New Yorkers hailing a pedicab after seeing a Broadway performance, those who do may soon lose that option.
A new bill, sponsored by New York City Councilmembers Keith Powers, Erik D. Bottcher and Chris Banks, proposed banning pedicabs from operating near Broadway theaters.
The bill more specifically outlines prohibiting pedicab drivers from parking, stopping, or operating (picking up/dropping off) within 50 feet of any theater entrance in the Theatre District Zone. Moreover, the NYC Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) would be required to install signage and markings noting where the pedicab restrictions apply.
Not familiar with pedicabs? Pedicabs are tricycles equipped with a passenger carriage, operated by a driver who pedals and steers. You can easily recognize them by the music they typically blast or the bright lights often added to them for tourist appeal.
Pedicabs have been a staple in NYC since the late 20th century. In order to operate a pedicab in NYC, drivers must obtain a pedicab registration plate, NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) issued pedicab driver’s license and a pedicab business license.
There are currently somewhere under 840 registered pedicabs operating in NYC. The city maintains a pedicab cap, granting plates based off of the current capacity via a lottery system. That’s not to say there aren’t unlicensed pedicabs illegally operating in NYC too.
The president of the Broadway League, Jason Laks, stated that the “proliferation of pedicabs in New York City has created significant challenges for Broadway audiences, theater workers and law enforcement.”
Meanwhile, the communications chair and co-founder of New York Pedicab Alliance, Kenneth Winter, argues the bill is targeting pedicab drivers in compliance with all the legal requirements, rather than unregistered pedicabs illegally operating.
As of now there is no set hearing for the bill. However, the bill’s result could have various impacts on the stakeholders involved. Stay tuned for further updates to come.