This press release can be found here:

http://legistar.council.nyc.gov/View.ashx?M=F&ID=682819&GUID=948E9442-74BD-45BD-9FDF-AA038DC6E12F

PEDICAB LICENSING LEGISLATION

To improve transportation safety and reduce congestion, especially in the Midtown area where
hundreds of pedicabs operate without any regulations or safety measures, the Council will vote on legislation to regulate and license pedicabs.

“Those who have been to Times Square or Midtown lately know that pedicabs have become a flourishing mode of transportation in our city,” said Speaker Quinn. “While we want to promote and support greener transit options, we need to make sure that businesses like the pedicab industry are operating as safely and responsibly as possible. This legislation strikes a balance that makes our streets safer and greener.”

“On Central Park South and in Midtown Manhattan, pedicabs operate without any rules whatsoever — it’s like the Wild West,” said Council Member Dan Garodnick. “Because pedicabs are not licensed, it’s impossible to regulate the behavior of their drivers and owners in any meaningful way. No licenses means no consequences — and that poses an unacceptable level of risk when you’re talking about being out in the middle of New York City traffic. It’s time to finally correct this.”
Key features of the bill include:

•Creating a 60 day licensing period for owners to apply for pedicab business licenses and registration plates;
•Limiting business owners from operating more than 30 pedicabs at one time;
•Requiring pedicab businesses to provide safety training for pedicab drivers;
•Increases penalties for pedicab drivers who do not obtain proper licensing from the Department of Consumer Affairs.

This legislation will increase safety by prohibiting pedicabs from operating in pedestrian plazas and by holding pedicab business owners responsible for the actions of the drivers they employ. Additionally, a pedicab business can lose its license if its drivers fail to obey the law or it operates pedicabs that have not been inspected by the Department of Consumer Affairs. All pedicabs must be properly insured, and pass an inspection conducted by the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) before they will be permitted to operate.