After much talk earlier this year, the Post reports that pedi-cabs will be regulated by next year, with hearings to conclude by the end of the year. Many politicians had been worried with more and more pedicabs appearing, the lack of oversight (no licenses, no age limits, no set fares, no insurance) would leave passengers at risk. The head of the NYC Pedicab Owners Association does think regulation is a good idea, given that many more drivers appear in the summer months. There are some non-fans of pedicabs: Cab drivers, who say that pedicabs are stealing their business and that they are unsafe without seatbelts. The Department of Transportation says that pedicab drivers will be expected to have valid driver's licenses (it's probably too difficult to institute a separate pedicab license) and million-dollar insurance.
The Post also got some financials from three pedicab drivers; renting a cab can cost around $200-230 a week and some make $200-300 day. And we've noticed, after a Broadway show, cabs are scarce, but pedicabs were in full force. (Gothamist ended up taking a bus.)
