Mocobizscene- In a targeted operation on Wednesday, the police cracked down on numerous illegal pedicabs, confiscating over 70 in bustling areas across Midtown Manhattan.
According to the NYPD, 77 pedicabs, one moped, and two speakers were confiscated near popular New York City tourist sites such as Central Park, Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park, Times Square, and the Empire State Building. In addition, 100 summonses were handed out as part of the operation.
City Councilmember Erik Bottcher, who represents a significant portion of Midtown, expressed his support for the recent news in a post on Instagram. Last month, he had called for stronger enforcement of bike cabs that violate regulations.
According to Bottcher’s post, pedicabs should adhere to the rules in order to ensure a fun and safe experience. He acknowledges that they have been acting recklessly lately, but is pleased to see that their calls for enforcement are finally yielding some positive outcomes.
According to Patch, Councilmember X addressed city agencies in a letter, expressing concerns about the increase in noise and pricing issues related to pedicabs. His office has received numerous complaints, particularly from tourists who feel they have been overcharged.
Ibrahim Donmez, the owner of New York Pedicab Services, a company that connects customers with pedicab drivers, has been receiving numerous complaints from tourists who are seeking to correct their overcharged fees.
According to him, he informed them that it was highly probable that they had fallen victim to fraudulent drivers who were not associated with his company. He then guided them to Bottcher’s office for assistance.
“I have been advocating for stricter enforcement measures to combat the rampant fraud and scams prevalent in the pedicab industry,” Donmez expressed to Gothamist. “We are confronted with a pervasive culture of scammers right in the heart of our city.”
The reason for the crackdown and the location where the seized pedicabs are being held have not been disclosed by the NYPD, despite inquiries.
To operate a pedicab legally, drivers must acquire a specialized license from the city, which they need to renew annually. Additionally, the pedicab itself must display a registration tag at the front. However, according to the law, the city is only authorized to issue a maximum of 850 of these tags at any given time.
Pedicab operators must adhere to a range of regulations, including the prohibition of motorized pedicabs. This particular restriction was overlooked when the city legalized e-bikes a few years ago.
Donmez expressed his hope that the enforcement effort will result in a decrease in the number of customers who unlicensed pedicab drivers overcharge. However, he emphasized the importance of focusing on scammers rather than targeting drivers who use pedicabs with motors.
Jeyhun Hasamond expressed his frustration after one of the nine pedicabs he owns was seized on Wednesday. He is hopeful that the pedal-assist vehicle will be returned to him soon. Hammond believes that motorized pedicabs, like his, should be legalized, just like e-bikes were for delivery drivers.
Hasamond noted that customers tend to avoid using the motor when they see that he doesn’t have one, as they feel guilty about him pedaling.
Sarper Kadioglu, an industry veteran with 15 years of experience, revealed that he is the proud owner of three pedicabs. Among these is a motorized pedicab that was seized on Wednesday. This particular pedicab alone brings in thousands of dollars in revenue.
According to him, he is in favor of confiscating unpermitted pedicabs. However, he believes that peddle-assist versions should be exempted from this action. This is because there is a high demand for rides and prolonged periods of pedaling can take a toll on the drivers.
“It’s absolutely absurd…without a motor, it’s impossible for anyone to sustain this business. We can’t rely solely on our own physical abilities; after all, we are human beings,” Kadioglu exclaimed. “I attempted to pedal for six years, but it took a toll on my left knee, ultimately leading me to undergo surgery.”
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