New York City Pedicab Owners' Association

The New York City Pedicab Owners' Association ("NYCPOA") was organized in 2005 as a best practices group to bring standardization to the growing pedicab industry in New York City, which now technically falls under regulation of Local Law 19 from 2007. It is a 501(c)6 trade association with a functioning, membership-elected board and membership and a track record of advocacy, even in the face of adversity. Many of the NYC pedicab industry's founding members, coming from environmental and bicycle advocacy backgrounds were involved in the start up of the industry in the early 90s and had for years endeavored to bring this environmental idea of transportation and entertainment to the public.

Many cities with ACTIVE pedicab fleets have some sort of regulation governing them. NYC was a bit late to the process; and the pedicab regulation's complicated development included several New York City Council hearings (see first hearing transcript from 02/28/06 hearing: http://www.nycpoa.org/info/206ca_pedicab_hearing.pdf) and the Council passing the law not once but twice due to the Mayor's veto of the first passing in March 7 on grounds that it went against the free market support of the industry.

The second and for now most current council introduction that passed into law happened on April 23, 2007. GeneRally, the "local law 19" refers to the fact that it was the 19th local law passed in 2007. Ultimately and most importantly, it is Title 20 of the Administrative Code of the City of New York, chapter 2, subchapter 9. Subchapter 9 adds sections 20-248 through 20-264, which are specific to pedicabs.

The NYCPOA has undertaken daunting challenges in the past, including the filing of an article 78 lawsuit against the City of New York in 2007 regarding the treatment and determination of what constitutes prior ownership in the overall development of pedicab regulations, within the scope of what a trade association may address. Remarkably, this lawsuit, filed in New York State Supreme Court, was found in favor of the NYCPOA.

On April 21, 2009, the New York Appellate Division, First Department, announced its unanimous decision:

“Tom, J.P., Andrias, Nardelli, Catterson, Moskowitz, JJ. Index 112671 / 07

In re New York City Pedicab Owners' Association, Inc. et al., Petitioners - Respondents,

-against-

New York City Department of Consumer Affairs, et al., Respondents - Appellants

United Pedicab Business Alliance, Inc., Amicus Curiae

Michael A. Cordozo, Corporation Counsel, New York (Julie Steiner of counsel), for appellants. The Public Advocacy Group LLC, New York (Chad A. Marlow of counsel), for respondents. Gallet Dreyer & Berkey, LLP, New York (David T. Azrin of counsel), for amicus curiae

Judgment, Supreme Court, New York County (Edward H. Lehner, J.) entered January 22, 2008, invalidating certain Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) regulations regarding the licensing and registration of pedicab businesses, unanimously affirmed, without costs.”

Additionally, NYCPOA was formed to facilitate dialogue among various industry stakeholders including the City and its agencies, the passenger public and the public in general, media, and industry members and soon to be members as well as to, overall, represent the responsible ownership interests of its members. Membership, open to the NYC pedicab owning public, is granted to those who can demonstrate responsible business practices and adherence to the code of conduct. Such practices include possession of liability insurance that at least meets the terms defined by the pending New York City Pedicab law, proper and safe equipment including lighting and seatbelts, and responsible driving of the pedicab.

[this site under construction]

Main link: www.nycpoa.org

City council legislative counsel statement: http://webdocs.nyccouncil.info/attachments/75421.htm

Member, Global Alliance for Ecomoblity

City council legislative counsel statement: http://webdocs.nyccouncil.info/attachments/75421.htm http://www.nyccouncil.info/pdf_files/bills/law07019.pdf http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/26/pedicab-law-put-on-hold/ http://www.nycpoa.org/pdf/cb5_resolution1.pdf http://www.nycpoa.org/info/metro_ad_final.jpg http://nyc.gov/html/dca/html/news/01-17-08_pedicab_statement.shtml http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/04/13/pedicab-limits-let-the-free-market-decide/ http://www.thevillager.com/villager_225/pedicabdriverswont.html http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/17/nyregion/thecity/17pedi.html http://www.transalt.org/newsroom/testimony/1850 http://www.villagevoice.com/2007-09-25/news/pedicabs-don-t-work-with-big-wheels/ http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20070918/FREE/70918011 http://www.nyccouncil.info/pdf_files/newswire/36_042307_prestated2.pdf http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Power+to+the+pedicabs:+bike-based+human+transport+faces+growing+pains-a0147012999