"From AM-NY -- not sure how I feel about it... I do think it is disingenuous to say they do not see how they hinder traffic.
copyright 2007"
Pedicab drivers protest proposed rules
Wed, 02/14/2007 - 8:48am
Wed, 02/14/2007 - 3:28pm
#1
They ARE traffic. (nm)
Thu, 02/15/2007 - 7:21am
#2
Traffic
I know they are traffic, but they, like taxis, hinder traffic when they just stop and hang in a lane waiting for pick up -- a lane that is supposed to be a moving lane. Taxis also hinder when they do this. (I see this alot in Times Sq area) They also hinder pedestrian traffic when they hang in the Northeast outer section columbus circle completely blocking curbcuts -- cyclist, strollers, wheelschairs are all affected.
That said. i do NOT think they should be banned. I do think they are great, and I respect what they do -- for not all that much money. However they -- like we cyclists -- have to realize how their actions impact others.
Thu, 02/15/2007 - 7:48am
#3
True enough. Did not mean to be flip.
Not only do we need to think about how our actions actually effect others, we need to think about how we are percieved.
In a future when there are more cyclists on the road, pedicab drivers' behavior will probably seem more of a concern, but at this point they probably do us, the cycling community, more good than harm. They're examples of nonpolluting transportation, they are quiet and so far haven't killed anyone, and the tourists like them.
Thu, 02/15/2007 - 11:03am
#4
If 500 pedicabs roam the streets, that is because customers use and want at least 500 pedicabs. Forcing a 300 limit only frustrates customers who prefer non-polluting transportation. If the government wants to put limits on vehicles, how about some limits on cars? We can start with Central Park ( a zero limit at all times) and work our way from there.
Fri, 03/30/2007 - 10:19am
#5
mayor to veto rules passed by City Council
"""Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said during his weekly WABC radio appearance this morning that he will veto a bill that caps the number of pedicabs in the city at 325 and imposes other regulations on the burgeoning industry.""
Fri, 03/30/2007 - 11:06am
#6
Pedicabs are an insignificant contributor to congestion
I think the congestion argument is bogus. Walk around midtown any day, and the number of yellow cabs and private automobiles you see going through traffic utterly overwhelms, in every possible way, the number of pedicabs. Any argument that pedicabs have more than a marginal influence on midtown traffic congestion is hilarious. Even pedestrians crossing the street disrupt more traffic. I don't see more calls for pedestrian barricades.
I think the main impetus for limiting pedicab numbers was fear of competition by yellow cabs. Responding to naked self-interested fear never makes for good policy - the question is why is a cab driver's desire to make money more important than a pedicab operator's? Kudos to Bloomberg.
