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The Dark Side of Manhattan’s Pedicab Industry: A Growing Menace on the Streets
Edited by: TJVNews.com
Manhattan’s iconic pedicabs, once a charming and eco-friendly way for tourists and locals to navigate the bustling streets, have taken a dark turn. What was once a symbol of leisurely sightseeing has become a source of fear and frustration, as an increasing number of pedicab drivers engage in lawless and predatory behavior. As was indicated in a recently published report in The New York Post, the rise in criminal activity, aggressive tactics, and consumer complaints associated with these drivers has transformed the pedicab experience into a nightmare for many, leading to growing concern among city officials, residents, and visitors alike.
The past few years have seen a disturbing shift in the behavior of some pedicab drivers across Manhattan. No longer content with merely offering rides, these drivers have begun to commandeer stretches of city streets, blasting loud music, and haranguing passersby. According to the information provided in The Post report, the once quaint image of the pedicab driver has been overshadowed by reports of brawling with customers, charging outrageous prices, and even engaging in cartel-like attacks on competitors. This escalating lawlessness is reflected in a significant increase in pedicab-related criminal activity.
Midtown Manhattan NYC.
This is the video of the pedicab who attempted to get in front of my car , he them started threatening me , banging on my hood and spit on my hood, then intentionally cause damage to my car .I believe this is criminal mischief.
These guys need to go !… pic.twitter.com/9Ct4z1wJdE
— Viral News NYC (@ViralNewsNYC) August 18, 2024
According to the New York Police Department (NYPD), there has been a 51.5% spike in pedicab-related criminal summonses this year, with officers issuing 1,493 violations through June 30, compared to 985 during the same period in 2023. This surge in violations is mirrored by a corresponding rise in consumer complaints, which have jumped 56.7%, totaling 94 reports through August 12, compared to just 60 reports during the same period last year, The Post report said. These statistics paint a troubling picture of an industry spinning out of control, with little regard for the safety and well-being of the public.
The aggressive and often predatory behavior of some pedicab drivers has made headlines, with numerous reports of harassment and even sexual assault. The story of two Upper East Side women, who experienced a harrowing encounter with a pedicab driver on August 4, highlights the serious dangers that now lurk behind what should be a harmless ride. As per the report in The Post, after being badgered into accepting a “free ride” home, the women were subjected to a terrifying ordeal when the driver jumped into the backseat and groped them. When they fought back, he violently ejected them from the pedicab, leaving them traumatized.
This incident is not an isolated one. Hotel staff and local residents have also voiced their concerns about the increasingly hostile tactics employed by some pedicab drivers. Speaking to The Post, Ralph Mendez, a doorman at the Sheraton Hotel on Seventh Avenue near Times Square, described the drivers as “piranhas” who prey on tourists, guests, and even children. Mendez explained that these drivers often start out friendly, but quickly turn aggressive if their services are declined. “As soon as you tell them you don’t want it, they just absolutely flip on you,” Mendez told The Post.
The fares charged by these pedicab drivers are nothing short of astronomical. Rates that can run as high as $25 per minute are often listed in tiny print on laminated rate cards, making it easy for unsuspecting customers to overlook them until they are hit with a shocking bill at the end of their ride, The Post report explained. Mendez told The Post, “If guests are staying here, I tell them, ‘Ask them the price’ before they get in.’ Then I get dirty looks from the drivers.” He recalled one guest who was horrified to discover that her short pedicab ride from 34th Street had cost her $140.
Tourists, who often lack the local knowledge to navigate the complexities of New York City’s transportation options, are particularly vulnerable to exploitation by unscrupulous pedicab drivers. Reports of drivers charging exorbitant prices for short rides, sometimes without disclosing the cost upfront, have become increasingly common, as was reported by The Post. This exploitative behavior not only tarnishes the image of New York City but also undermines the trust and safety of visitors who come to enjoy the city’s attractions.
SAME pedicab drivers as yesterday running the SAME scam on different tourists today! @helloDCWP *ALLOWS* #NYC tourists seeking horse carriage rides to get scammed by #pedicab drivers because they DON’T actually care about consumer OR worker protection! @NYCMayor @NYCCouncil https://t.co/bQH96zmsAl pic.twitter.com/y7Mu4b4f1O
— Jill Adamski (@JillAdamski) June 17, 2024
The aggressive tactics used by some drivers to pressure tourists into taking rides, coupled with the risk of overcharging and potential harm, have led to a growing backlash against the pedicab industry. The report in The Post noted that many are calling for stricter regulations and enforcement to protect both residents and visitors from being victimized.
One recent victim, reflecting on her terrifying experience, recounted the feeling of being “tricked” by a pedicab driver who offered her and her friend a ride home at 3:30 a.m. after they had been drinking. The driver’s timing and location, outside a nightclub, seemed calculated—a predatory move to take advantage of vulnerable individuals.
“It was really convenient for him to be in front of a club at 3:30 a.m., offering rides home to girls who have been drinking. I got the feeling that he habitually does that,” she said. The Post reported that this woman’s experience is not isolated; it’s part of a growing pattern of predatory behavior by some pedicab drivers who target intoxicated or unsuspecting individuals late at night, leaving them feeling violated and unsafe.
The troubling behavior of pedicab drivers is not limited to targeting vulnerable passengers. Several incidents across New York City have showcased a disturbing trend of violence, harassment, and aggressive conduct by some in the industry. In May, a hansom-carriage driver in Central Park found himself surrounded and attacked by a group of pedicab drivers after he requested one of them not to wash his bicycle in a fountain that horses regularly drink from, The Post report said. The carriage driver, identified only as Yalcin, was allegedly punched in the face by one of the hot-headed pedicabbers, escalating a simple request into a violent confrontation.
NEVER get a Pedicab in #NYC #NYCpedicab Its a complete scam! $135 ADO LLC 6 West 52nd St. NYC pic.twitter.com/yDs2CWzVCn
— Respect The Voodoo™ (@TheDivinePrince) July 28, 2024
“They think this is like a third world country, the law doesn’t work over here, ‘We can do anything we want,’” Yalcin told The Post. “They feel like big guys — big mafiosos over here.” This mindset has contributed to a growing sense of lawlessness among pedicab drivers, who seem to operate under the belief that the rules do not apply to them.
In June, another shocking incident occurred near the Empire State Building, where a pedicab driver engaged in a physical altercation with three passengers over their fare. As per the information in The Post report, the chaotic scene was captured on video, showing blows being traded in what should have been a routine exchange between driver and riders.
The aggression has not only been directed at customers but also at other workers in the city. The Post report also indicated that on August 12, a foul-mouthed pedicab driver near Central Park verbally attacked carriage horse driver Jill Adamski, hurling vile insults such as “dirt b—h” and “Irish slut.” The encounter escalated as the pedicab driver threatened to physically assault another man who was recording the altercation. Such incidents reveal a disturbing level of hostility and a willingness to engage in violent or abusive behavior with little provocation.
The pattern of violence and aggression extends beyond physical altercations. In May 2023, a pedicab driver in Midtown was arrested after he randomly spat in the face of a transgender woman and, along with others in his vehicle, hurled transphobic slurs at her, The Post report said. The 27-year-old driver was charged with aggravated harassment, highlighting the potential for hate crimes within this unregulated sector of the city’s transportation network.
The overloading of pedicabs is back in force with the spring weather. No license and an illegal motor allows this kind of reckless endangerment of passengers and of all users of the park drives. (No pedicab may take more than 3 passengers of any age or size.) @helloDCWP @NYC_DOT https://t.co/hc4gkNBXlv pic.twitter.com/eQXzkXUQmr
— Christina Hansen (@CarriageCavalry) May 26, 2024
The drivers have become a familiar sight in some of the city’s most tourist-heavy areas, particularly around Central Park, Times Square, and Midtown Manhattan. Decked out in flashy string lights, plush animals, and speakers blasting pop music, these pedicabs are designed to catch the eye of tourists looking for a fun and memorable experience to share on social media, The Post report said. However, what many of these tourists don’t realize until it’s too late is that they are being drawn into one of the city’s most expensive tourist traps.
A doorman at the Hilton Hotel near West 54th Street and 6th Avenue described how as many as 15 pedicabs can be seen daily in front of his building, their drivers yelling and doing their “whole spiel” to attract attention.
The tactics used by these drivers are often aggressive and invasive. The Post observed multiple instances where pedicab drivers yelled at families with children, followed pedestrians, and pressured them into taking a ride. “C’mon ladies, you girls look like you can use a ride,” one driver whistled, waving a laminated page detailing the exorbitant prices. Another driver shouted, “It’s cheap, take a ride,” despite the reality being quite the opposite.
Out-of-control NYC pedicab drivers terrorize tourists, locals — and even sexually assault their own customers: ‘They’re like piranhas’ https://t.co/bti0R8h5I9 pic.twitter.com/hVW82k6vR4
— New York Post Metro (@nypmetro) August 18, 2024
Adding to the chaos is the blatant disregard for traffic laws exhibited by many pedicab drivers. On any given day, it’s not uncommon to see pedicabs running red lights, swerving into bike lanes, or blocking traffic as they jockey for passengers, according to The Post report. Some drivers are even seen taking selfies with their riders while pedaling through busy intersections, further endangering themselves and others on the road.
Livery driver Mario Chauch, 43, experienced this reckless behavior firsthand when a pedicab driver smashed off one of his side mirrors. “They don’t respect drivers or the traffic rules,” Chauch told The Post, highlighting the broader issue of how these pedicab drivers interact with other vehicles and pedestrians. This lack of respect for the rules of the road not only causes frustration but also poses a serious safety risk for everyone sharing the streets.
Compounding the problem is the widespread use of counterfeit licenses and registration plates by pedicab drivers. The Post report said that according to industry sources, the COVID-19 pandemic led to an explosion in the number of bogus Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) licenses and registration plates, which are required to legally operate a pedicab in the city. One fleet operator estimated that a staggering 60% of pedicab drivers—roughly 1,500 individuals—are currently using fake licenses.
This influx of unregulated and unlicensed drivers has only exacerbated the lawlessness in the industry. “If there is no liability, you’re going to act differently,” a 46-year-old fleet operator told The Post, pointing to the lack of enforcement on fraudulent paperwork as a key factor fueling the rogue behavior of many drivers. Without the fear of consequences, these drivers are emboldened to act outside the law, knowing that the chances of being caught are slim.
The problem is further intensified by the lack of adequate inspections and enforcement by the authorities. While the DCWP is responsible for inspecting licensed pedicabs, the sheer number of illegal operators has made it difficult to keep up. According to The Post report, the agency’s spokeswoman, Stephany Vasquez Sanchez, has advised the public to report any illicit activity to the NYPD, but this reactive approach has done little to curb the widespread fraud and lawlessness.
In response to the growing concerns, the NYPD has ramped up its enforcement efforts, particularly in areas surrounding popular tourist attractions such as the Empire State Building. In December, police seized 77 illegal pedicabs in Midtown, following a letter from Councilman Erik Bottcher (D-Manhattan) calling for stricter regulation of pedicabs, as was pointed out in The Post report.
“The impact of pedicabs, particularly in relation to Broadway theaters, residential neighborhoods, and tourist experiences, has prompted an immediate call for action to improve the oversight and regulation of these vehicles,” Bottcher wrote in his letter, as was detailed in The Post report.
The NYPD, in collaboration with the DCWP and the Department of Environmental Protection, has conducted targeted operations, including inspections of pedicab licenses and registrations. As a result, more than 100 pedicabs have been seized this year alone. However, The Post report indicated that despite these efforts, those familiar with the industry remain skeptical that enforcement will be enough to change the deeply entrenched “Wild West” culture that currently prevails.
“They’re not answering to anyone,” said the veteran pedicab driver, expressing doubt that the current enforcement measures would be sufficient to bring the industry under control. This sentiment reflects a broader concern that, without significant and sustained intervention, the lawlessness will continue unabated.
