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Pedicab drivers have a best pal at City Hall — Mayor Bloomberg.
Bloomberg, in a surprise move yesterday, decided not to sign a bill that would have cracked down on pedicab rip-offs by forcing drivers to charge by the minute, post their rates and provide timers in their rigs.
Bloomberg, who wants more time to consider the measure, said, “I just don’t want to rush into anything,” suggesting he could have a final decision as soon as tomorrow. “I’ve always thought in this city people want pedicabs, and there’s been discrimination against pedicab drivers from Day One. I’m not sure why.”
The bill was crafted and passed by the City Council after a Post report about a Texas family that was scammed out of $442.54 for a 12-minute pedicab ride last summer.
“We have heard all the horror stories: You get into a pedicab, you ride a few blocks, you find yourself with a $90, $200 or even a $440 fare,” said the bill’s sponsor, City Councilman Dan Garodnick (D-Manhattan).
Bloomberg’s reluctance to sign the bill into law seemed to be influenced by testimony from pedicab drivers, including Ibrahim Donmez, who whined about “pedicab discrimination” at a hearing on the measure.
But the mayor’s sympathy for pedicabs isn’t shared by many New Yorkers who have to deal with the throng of three-wheelers crowding Midtown streets.
“They’re a pain in the ass. They’re ripping people off,” said Emily Farres, 53, an Upper West Sider who works in security at a Midtown hotel. “They have no respect for people at the hotel. They force themselves on people and prey on their goodwill.”
“Pedicabs don’t pay attention to the rules,” said Lynn Sloane, 65, also of the Upper West Side. “They don’t know the laws. They park where they’re not supposed to. Often they go against the lights.”
“It gives New York a bad name. They’re basically robbing tourists,” said David Nunez, 40, who works in Midtown.
Additional reporting by Joe Tacopino