Licensed pedicab drivers in the city are expressing concerns that the influx of unlicensed operators is harming tourism and disrupting Broadway performances.
Many drivers report that their legitimate business has plummeted by about 60% since the pandemic, attributing this to the presence of illegal three-wheeled vehicles.
“They’re taking over our industry,” said Macan Kamala, who has been driving pedicabs since 2016 and now leads the New York Pedicab Alliance. “What we want, really, is for there to be fair pricing that tourists can trust.”
The financial impact has been severe enough that over 200 pedicab drivers rallied last week at city hall, urging the government to take action against what they call a growing “crime culture.”
“Business has been terrible because of these fraudsters,” said Kenneth Winter, a 21-year veteran of the industry and a member of the NYPA. “Things are really getting worse.”
Winter likens the situation to a new gold rush for rogue drivers, saying, “They’ll take as many customers as they can. Without enforcement, they just keep coming.” He now works six or seven days a week, often putting in long hours, to make ends meet.
The NYPA estimates that, despite around 850 licensed pedicabs in the city, there are over 1,500 unauthorized ones operating in Midtown.
Reports of drivers charging tourists illegal fees—like misleading “per person” charges—are common, and Winter claims that these predatory practices have surged since 2020, even impacting Broadway advertising.
Winter went on to explain, “Speakers are already illegal. If we find them, we’ll confiscate them, especially if the operators don’t have a license.” He also recounted a story of a tourist who was charged nearly $1,000 for a ride.
The group is advocating for the legalization of electric assist technology for pedicabs, which Winter argues could provide health benefits for drivers who can no longer manage without assistance due to physical strain.
During a recent rally, drivers also called for tighter regulation on pedicab insurance costs, which have ballooned to $5,000 per bike, an increase from $700 before the pandemic.
Recent NYPD reports show that 1,851 citations have been issued related to pedicabs, with 165 illegal vehicles seized this year alone.
NYPD officials stated that they are continuing enforcement efforts across precincts. An official noted that Mayor Adams agrees that illegally operated pedicabs shouldn’t be on the streets.
Future plans include distributing educational materials in parks to help tourists avoid scams, alongside a new initiative that will deploy a specialized task force to manage noise and unlicensed pedicabs in the area this spring.
