Pedicab Drivers Take Fight to Public

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am New York | March 26, 2007

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By Kate Pastor

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world

With the mayor deciding the fate of the city's hundreds of pedicabs this week, drivers Sunday gave New Yorkers a free reminder of what they say is at stake."Once they get in, they're like 'Wow, you're getting us there," said Brendan O'Toole, who with dozens of other drivers gave out free rides Sunday in Columbus Circle and Central Park.He said he sees his job as a service for those who can't find cabs.Drivers, who also attended a Columbus Circle rally Sunday, said they wanted to show support for Mayor Michael Bloomberg's decision to put aside a bill earlier this month that would put restrictions on the human-powered vehicles.The mayor now has until Friday to act on the bill that would cap the number of pedicabs at 325, plus add other restrictions. If he does nothing, the bill would automatically become law.The legislation, introduced by Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-Queens), would give NYPD greater powers to ban pedicabs and would restrict the number of places they can operate. Besides the cap, it would impose insurance requirements that drivers say are excessive.Drivers say such restrictions would destroy their business.Yellow taxi owners and hotels have supported the restrictions , arguing the vehicles clog streets and siphon business from the cabs.Organizations such as the Sierra Club, Green Transporters Association and Transportation Alternatives stress that pedicabs are part of an environmental solution for the city and could help the mayor reach his goal of a 30% reduction in global warming emissions by 2030."Kudos to Bloomberg because the proposed legislation has some fundamental flaws and we need to correct the flaws before we make the bill the law regulating pedicabs in New York City," said civil liberties attorney Norman Siegel, who's representing the pedicab drivers."Pedicabs are the future and we should respect that," Siegel said.

Submitted by admin on December 18, 2007 - 16:59. categories [ ]