Cracking Down on Central Park Pedicabs

From The New York Times

If there were a chase scene in this particular crime drama, it would not be too hair-raising. But the long arm of the law still drew plenty of stares from passers-by on a recent Sunday along the Central Park Mall, the long promenade leading to the Bethesda Terrace. At one moment, three pedicab drivers, some with passengers still ensconced, were pulled over almost simultaneously by enforcement officers and issued summonses.

“Pedicabs are not allowed to be on pedestrian pathways, and obviously the Mall is a major pedestrian pathway,” said Douglas Blonsky, the Central Park administrator and president of the Central Park Conservancy, the private, nonprofit organization that manages the park under contract with the Department of Parks and Recreation.

Of the 28 summonses issued to pedicabs in Central Park on Dec. 28, when this photo was taken, eight were on the Mall. In 2008, a total of 2,609 summonses were issued to pedicabs for various infractions.

“We like pedicabs,” Mr. Blonsky said. “They’re clean and a good way for tourists to see the city. But they clearly push the envelope of where they should be and what they can do. Many operators are very good, but there’s a handful. …” The sentence trailed off.

“Just like anything,” he concluded, leaving the impression that the phrase “bad apples” had been lurking in his thoughts.

With a maximum penalty of $200, it was unclear how much of a deterrent a summons represents. One driver at the Dec. 28 ticketfest seemed in a jaunty enough mood as he shouted over to an enforcement officer, “Remember, my name is spelled with one T, like the governor!”