An Amusement & Diversion for The Genteel Cyclist. Daily.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

A terrible pedicure: The only good thing about this law is that it will outlaw eBikes


Pedicabs in New York are a relatively new development. Indeed, everywhere in the US -- whereas the "rickshaw" has long been a part of the street scene in Europe and Asia.

So it's a crying shame that New York City Council has voted to dramatically limit the number of pedicabs that will be allowed in the city -- and where they can go.

According to an article in today's South China Morning Post,


Among other things, the law requires pedicab drivers to apply for a licence, prohibits them from riding on the city's bridges and bans those that run on electronic rather than foot power.

It also caps the number of licences at 325, which means about 40 per cent of the pedicabs currently on the street will be outlawed on September 20 when the law becomes effective.


The law goes into effect in about three weeks, and it will affect some 500 pedicabs. So we suggest anyone with an interest in bike advocacy, bike commerce, and utility bikes start shaking the tree of government in New York, until the monkeys fall out.

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