Keeping New York Safe From Third World Transportation

A year ago, I noted that trishaws (a.k.a. pedicabs) were banned in Calcutta and gaining popularity in New York. Well, backwards New Yorkers are finally catching up:

It'll likely soon be the last ride for about half of the city's freewheeling pedicabs after the City Council voted to start licensing the drivers Wednesday, allowing just 325 in the city.

The mayor is expected to sign the bill. Every pedicab will be required to be licensed and insured, pass regular inspections and have headlights and turn signals. The bill also gives police the power to ban pedicabs from any part of the city for up to 14 days at a time.

Pedicabs will still be allowed to operate in city parks. The rules also effectively prohibit the multi-rider party bikes that are popular in Times Square…

"When you craft an agreement where everyone is a little unhappy, then you know you've done a good job," said Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-Queens),after the vote that reined in the city's newest, cleanest and most controversial mode of transportation.

I'm guessing the folks at the Taxi and Limousine Commission aren't even a little unhappy.

Via Kip Esquire.