Jeremy Olshan writes in yesterday's New York Post that the city plans to ban electric pedicabs. George Bliss, president of the Pedicab Owners Association, explained at our membership meeting last week (click for video) that this is an attempt by the taxi industry to "drive" pedicabs out of business.Click here for more information on proposed pedicab regulations and what pedicabs have to do with animals.
Read the entire New York Post article after the jump.
By Jeremy Olshan, New York Post
http://www.nypost.com/seven/01222007/news/regionalnews/city_to_zap_electric_pedicabs_regionalnews_jeremy_olshan.htm
January 22, 2007 -- The city plans to ban pedicabs that use electric motors, in a move that advocates contend will cripple the industry.
Although "electrical assist" motors do not power the bicycle rickshaws, only making it slightly easier to pedal them, the City Council has determined that pedicabs must remain purely sweat-powered vehicles, sources said.
Of the 500 pedicabs working the streets, roughly 20 percent use electrical assist, advocates say, but that number has steadily increased because the motors allow drivers to make more money and work longer.
"The electrical assist makes pedicabs safer, and it enables us to have long-term professional drivers," said Chad Marlow, spokesman for the NYC Pedicab Owners Association.
Many have complained the pedicab industry is unregulated and unsafe.