Int. No. 992
By Council Members Brewer and Wilson
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to making certain changes to the pedicab law
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision b of section 20-251 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as added by local law number 53 for the year 2009, is amended to read as follows:
b. The department has the authority to inspect pedicabs to determine whether the pedicabs are equipped with the features set forth in subdivision a of section 20-254 and comply with the requirement set forth in subdivision [b] c of section 20-254.
§ 2. Section 20-254 of the administrative code of the city of New York, paragraphs 1 through 11 of subdivision a of such section as added by local law number 19 for the year 2007, paragraphs 12 through 14 of such subdivision as amended by local law number 59 for the year 2012, paragraph 15 of such subdivision as added by local law number 59 for the year 2012, and subdivisions b and c of such section as added by local law number 19 for the year 2007, is amended to read as follows:
§ 20-254 Required equipment of pedicabs. a. Each pedicab operated in the city shall be equipped with the following features:
1. [three] Three or more wheels;
2. [a] A unibody frame for the entire vehicle;
3. [seating] Seating for no more than three passengers;
4. [hydraulic] Hydraulic or mechanical disc or drum brakes, which are unaffected by rain or wet conditions;
5. [a] A secondary or emergency brake system;
6. [battery-operated] Battery-operated headlights capable of projecting a beam of light for a distance of 300 feet;
7. [battery-operated] Battery-operated taillights which are visible from 500 feet;
8. [turn] Turn lights;
9. [passenger] Passenger seat belts;
10. [an] An audible signaling device;
11. [reflectors] Reflectors on the spokes of the wheels of the pedicab;
12. [a timer] A meter, of a type approved by the commissioner, affixed within clear view of passengers;
13. [a] A sign attached to the interior of the pedicab within view of passengers indicating the name and telephone number of the pedicab business, the pedicab's registration number and a telephone number that can be used to direct consumer complaints about such pedicab to the department;
14. [a] A sign conspicuously posted on both sides of the exterior of the pedicab indicating in letters and numbers at least two inches high the dollar amount to be charged per minute per ride, and in letters and numbers at least one half of an inch high that: (i) no additional fees may be charged and (ii) drivers must give passengers a pedicab information card; and
15. [a] A sign affixed to the rear of the bicycle seat of the pedicab indicating in letters and numbers at least two inches high the dollar amount to be charged per minute per ride.
b. The department shall issue the signs required in paragraphs 13, 14, and 15 of subdivision a of this section and shall affix a raised department logo to such signs. The department shall cover such signs with a waterproof covering before providing the signs to pedicab drivers. A pedicab driver may only use the signs issued by the department.
[b.] c. The maximum width of a pedicab shall be fifty-five inches and the maximum length of a pedicab shall be ten feet.
[c.] d. It shall be unlawful for a pedicab business to operate or authorize the operation of, or for a pedicab driver to operate, a pedicab that does not comply with the requirements of this section.
§ 3. Subdivisions c and e of section 20-255 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as amended by local law number 53 for the year 2009, are amended to read as follows:
c. If the commissioner determines after such inspection that a pedicab is equipped with the features set forth in subdivision a of section 20-254, and complies with the requirement set forth in subdivision [b] c of section 20-254, upon payment of the registration fee provided by section 20-250 of this subchapter, the department shall issue a registration plate to the pedicab business that authorized the operation of such pedicab.
e. The registration plate shall be of such material, form, design and dimension and set forth such distinguishing number or other identification marks as the commissioner shall prescribe. The registration plate shall display a scannable code that, when scanned, links to the department’s website and displays the pedicab registration number and the name of the pedicab business.
§ 4. Section 20-257 of the administrative code of the city of New York, subdivisions a, b, c, e, and f of such section as added by local law number 19 for the year 2007, subdivision d of such section as amended by local law number 53 for the year 2009, and subdivision g of such section as added by local law number 53 for the year 2009, is amended to read as follows:
§ 20-257 Pedicab driver license. a. It shall be unlawful for a pedicab driver to operate a pedicab unless the pedicab driver shall have first obtained a pedicab driver license from the commissioner.
b. It shall be unlawful for a pedicab business to permit the operation of any pedicabs owned by it by a person who does not have a pedicab driver license and a motor vehicle driver's license in full force and effect.
c. In order to obtain or renew a pedicab driver license, a pedicab driver shall file an application with the commissioner for such pedicab driver license. Such application shall be made upon such form as prescribed by the commissioner and shall contain such information as the commissioner may require to establish the applicant's eligibility for a pedicab driver license under this subchapter.
d. To be eligible for or to maintain a pedicab driver license, an applicant or licensee shall:
1. [be] Be at least eighteen years of age;
2. [possess] Possess a currently valid motor vehicle driver's license that is in full force and effect;
3. [not] Not have his or her motor vehicle driver's license suspended or revoked; [and]
4. Have completed within the prior year the training course developed by the department pursuant to subdivision i of this section; and
[4.] 5. [meet] Meet such fitness requirements as the commissioner may determine by rule.
e. The commissioner shall allow pedicab drivers to pick up pedicab licenses in person from the department headquarters and any other additional locations chosen by the commissioner.
[e.] f. A pedicab driver license shall be valid for a term of one year. There shall be a fee of thirty-five dollars for such license. The commissioner shall establish the expiration date for such license by rule.
[f.] g. The commissioner may refuse to issue a pedicab driver license or to renew such a license based upon a determination that such pedicab driver has engaged in conduct which would constitute a basis for the suspension or revocation of a pedicab driver license as set forth in subdivision c of section 20-261 of this subchapter.
[g.] h. Service of a violation, and any related notices, on a pedicab driver shall constitute service on the pedicab business that authorized the operation of such pedicab by virtue of employment, lease, or any other arrangement and shall afford the pedicab business the opportunity to participate in any hearing held on such violation.
i. The commissioner shall develop and provide a training course for pedicab drivers about pedicab rules and safe driving practices. Such course shall teach pedicab drivers their obligation to follow all provisions of state and local law governing the operation of a bicycle as described in subdivision a of section 20-259, all provisions of law and rules related to pedicabs, and any other information the commissioner considers relevant.
§ 5. Subdivision b of section 20-259 of administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new paragraph 8 to read as follows:
8. employ any device, including any device that amplifies sound or plays music, that makes unreasonable noise, as such term is used in section 24-218.
§ 6. Subdivision h of section 20-259 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as added by local law number 53 for the year 2009, is amended to read as follows:
h. A pedicab business shall [design and implement policies and procedures to train all pedicab drivers that operate any pedicabs owned by such pedicab business of the obligation to follow all provisions of state and local law governing the operation of a bicycle, as described in subdivision a of this section, and shall] require [such] all pedicab drivers to provide a copy of any summons, complaint, or notice of violation of any law or regulation received while operating a pedicab to such pedicab business, as well as a copy of the disposition of such summons, complaint or notice of violation of such pedicab business, within five business days of such drivers' receipt of such documents. [It shall be unlawful for a pedicab business to fail to train pedicab drivers to ensure compliance with such requirements.]
§ 7. Subdivision a of section 20-260 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as amended by local law number 59 for the year 2012, is amended to read as follows:
a. Rates for pedicab rides shall be based on time calculated per minute per ride. Each pedicab driver shall make such calculation using the [timer] meter affixed to the pedicab pursuant to paragraph 12 of subdivision a of section 20-254 [of this subchapter]. Each pedicab driver shall activate such [timer] meter when all passengers are seated and the pedicab ride commences, and shall stop the [timer] meter when the pedicab has reached its destination and the pedicab is at a full stop.
1. It shall be unlawful for a pedicab driver to charge any added fee, including fees for additional passengers.
2. Each minute shall be charged at the same rate.
3. Rates shall be displayed on the exterior of the pedicab and the rear of the bike seat on the pedicab pursuant to paragraphs 14 and 15 of subdivision a of section 20-254 of this subchapter at all times.
§ 8. Subdivisions a and c of section 20-263 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as added by local law number 19 for the year 2007, are amended to read as follows:
a. It is a traffic infraction to violate any provision of this subchapter and such traffic infractions shall be punishable in accordance with section eighteen hundred of the New York state vehicle and traffic law, except that no violation of any provision of this subchapter shall be punishable by imprisonment.
c. A violation of section 20-250 or 20-257 or paragraph 6 of subdivision b of section 20-259 [of this subchapter] or any rules promulgated thereunder shall constitute a violation punishable by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars [or imprisonment of up to fifteen days, or by both such fine and imprisonment].
§ 9. This local law takes effect 180 days after it becomes law, except that the commissioner of consumer and worker protection shall take such measures as are necessary for the implementation of this local law, including the promulgation of rules, before such date.
EH
LSR #21968
8/7/2026 4:00 PM