Bicycling

Pedicab Rally in the News

AMNY reports:

By Jason Varone

10:24 AM EST on February 14, 2007

The City Council is poised to put the brakes on New York’s freewheeling pedicabs, prompting hundreds of their drivers to say the regulations would devastate a pollution-free way to get around town.
“They say we are causing traffic congestion,” said pedicab driver Mega Martinez, 43, at a protest Tuesday. “How can that be? We are the only ones who can get around the traffic.”

In addition to capping the number of pedicabs at 300, the City Council bill would completely ban those pedicabs that use electric-assist motors. While most of these motors use less power than a hair dryer, Comrie said the council considers them motor vehicles, subject to state laws.
A vote on the pedicab regulations is scheduled for Feb. 28.

Photos: Bill DiPaolo

Jason Varone

Jason Varone battles the streets everyday during a 9 mile commute on his bicycle from downtown Brooklyn to the Upper East Side. In addition to his efforts on Streetsblog, he is an artist making work related to the environment and technology. Examples of his work can be found at www.varonearts.org.