Christine Nicholas of Broadway Association supports pedicab reform bills

Thank you for this panel.

And the next panel is, thank you, David Satinstall, Tom Harris, and Christine Nichols.

Whenever you're ready, you can start.

Yeah, go ahead.

Thank you.

Good morning, Chair Epstein and members of the Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection.

My name is Christine Nicholas.

I am the chair of the 115-year-old New York City business institution, the Broadway Association, dedicated to the betterment of the Broadway corridor from 14th Street up to Columbus Circle, encompassing Times Square and the Theater District.

First off, I wanted to just say that I am not personally opposed to the pedicab industry.

I have used pedicabs because I am the mom of three kids that have insisted on using the pedicabs every now and then.

Thank you for your understanding and your interest in fixing the pedicab industry that operates without clear regulations, obviously from the testimony, the majority of which are unlicensed, creating safety risks

for passengers and pedestrians, an unsafe environment for the city's busiest areas, Broadway and the end time square.

And for consumers, especially tourists, the vague pricing has made rip-offs and overcharging a common occurrence with no repercussions.

The seven bills under consideration represent common-sense solutions agreed upon by the industry advocates, the Midtown Bid Coalition and the Midtown Community Justice Center.

Having seven separate bills is affirmation that this industry is in desperate need of reform, yet seven separate bills are also confusing to the public, and we urge the City Council to simplify.

this process and consolidate these bills to pass a law that promotes safety, transparency, accountability, and fairness to all of those affected and involved.

Regarding the specific legislation under consideration today, the Broadway Association supports Intro 992, Intro 0673, and Intro 0077.

To standardize rates and mandate meters requiring visible pricing, scannable registration plates with information about the pedicab business owner, and prohibiting amplified sound.

The Broadway Association supports interim 993 moving oversight and DCWP to the TLC.

Which could fix the broken link between licensing and enforcement in Intro 1026 to designate curb space.

Just in closing, the bills under consideration underscore the need for immediate action, but like any rules, any new rules or laws, they're only as good as the enforcement required to put them into effect.

We strongly suggest that if the TLC is successful in getting oversight,

Although it doesn't sound like they want it.

We also urge that the 24-7 NYPD remain involved in enforcing unlawful and dangerous behavior that has made Midtown seem chaotic and ungovernable.

The Broadway Association thanks the chair and Councilwoman Gail Brewer and the committee for making this a priority.