Every New Yorker loves a pedicab. Unless the driver is slowing down your bus, blocking your intersection, or whistling at your wife. On second thought, that pretty much covers every New Yorker. Or at least those paying attention and not staring at their phones.

With pen in hand, Mayor Bloomberg was expected to sign a bill today that tightens regulations on tourist-toting pedicabs. But after hearing testimony from one of the industry's 1,300 drivers who claimed the restrictions were unfair, Bloomberg put the brakes on the bill -- for now.

The roughly 700 "tricycle taxis" now on the streets of New York City charge by distance traveled and number of passengers. For years, consumers have complained about hidden fees and other inconsistencies. The bill would require drivers to charge per minute instead, with a timer clearly visible.

Mayor Bloomberg may still sign the bill by Friday. What should he do? Do you feel the pedicab industry is good for New York City? Does it need further regulation? Why do you think Bloomberg didn't sign the bill at the last minute?

Send your thoughts using the link above.

John,

Pedicabs are a pain in the butt! There should be some sort of tighter regulations, as they tend to rip tourists off. You'd never find a Nyer taking a Pedicab, no matter how desperate he/she is for a ride!

But the biggest problem is they do not adhere to traffic laws. I cannot tell you how many times I have tried to cross the street only to be THISCLOSE to getting hit by one of them. They also tend to "circle" the cross-walk, making it almost impossible for a pedestrian to cross a city street.

They may be more "green" friendly, but they are certainly not traffic friendly, and more restrictions are necessary. Better yet, get rid of them all together! They are a nuisance!

Dina and Edwin of NYC and Throggs Neck

John,

We're supposed to live in a free country. As long as there are people like Bloomberg and the City Council, we never will.

Pedicabs, jitneys, taxis, buses, subways, trains all should be free of government regulation. Let the market decide.

Joe
Port Richmond, SI

Hi John,

This mayor always has the tourists in his favor. What he should do is bring back our original private cab service that we had for years in the Bronx. Stop getting into our business and continue to change things to please you. I AM A PAYING CUSTOMER AND NOT AND ACCESS A RIDE OR A CITIZEN WITH A NUMBERED ACCOUNT. BUT THEN AGAIN I DON'T BELONG TO THE SECRET SOCIETY SOCIETY. I GUESS THE CITIZENS OF SANDY ARE REALLY LONG FORGOTTEN NOW.

Thank you John,
maxxiee
mp

Regarding Pedi Cabs/Horse-drawn Carriages- I would like to respond to Vincent from Elmhurst's comment about how obvious it is that pedi cabs are so dangerous, although I agree, I could not help but become angered thinking about all of the horse pulled carriages which Mayor Bloomberg fully supports!! They are overpriced ,unregulated (ASPCA does not follow through with enforcing regulations), overworking animals and there have been NUMEROUS horse drawn carriage accidents and injuries, even deaths! If it is so OBVIOUS that it is dangerous that people are pulling people around, how is it not even more obvious that we should not have animals doing it!! Horses do not belong on the streets of New York City! To ME this is OBVIOUS!!!!!!!!!

Please, I would love for you to have a topic on The Call about horse-drawn carriages in the city. It is dangerous, supports animal cruelty and there are other options out there!!! This cause needs to be discussed and the public needs to be made aware of the truths regarding this industry!!!!

Thank you so much I love your show!!!!!

Lauren from Bayside, NY

The industry MUST be regulated. Passengers are overcharged for no reason, other than ripping them off. We were charged an obsene rate by passenger and distance. They need to give a pre agreed price written in paper ahead of time. There has to be evidence for each transaction.

Celia

I love pedicabs becuase they are an enjoyable and green way to view the city. For tourists pedicab drivers often provide informative and enjoyable tours. Tourists love viewing the city this way, particularly central park. I think it is a much safer form of transport than cars--how many people have died from pedi cab injuries compared to from cars? I mean come on!

Maya

If they want to be treated as fairly as taxi drivers, then go thru what taxi drivers have to go thru....schooling, drug testing paying for licenses, paying for insurance, renewing licenses every year as well as drug testing, they should use meters like taxis. Majority of guys are doing schemes since they are not regulated industry. What would happen if we didn't regulate industries?? Our economy is a perfect example. Thank you.

Luis

Bloomberg won't even regulate the lawless bicyclists who wreak havoc on a daily basis. What makes you believe that he will regulate the pedicab industry? After all, if it's "green," it's a sacred cow to this administration. You'll never get me to believe that this industry, unregulated, is an asset to this city.

Keith, Inwood

I was ripped off the fist time I took one, I went 3 miles and was charged $80 dollars. I was quoted $40 but then was told it was per person. Now I negotiate the rate before I take one, and make the rate very clear beforehand. They are a very good alternative during rush hour, were it is hard to find a yellow taxi.

Ed
Murry Hill

My girlfriend and I were out in October celebrating my birthday. After the play we decided to experience a pedi cab. The driver seemed upfront and quoted us a reasonable price. We were not going far. We were having fun, taking pictures and posting them on Facebook. When we got to our location he told us a much higher price and justified by explaining that he took us on a scenic route. We went from a theater to dinner all in the same district 4 blocks apart... He justified it by saying going through Time Square was more money. We complained a bit, paid and swore we would warn everyone not to take a paid cab in New York. So scandalous.

Tracey

Pedicab's are great. NYC's DCA allows anyone with a license form anywhere to obtain a pedicab operators license. This is the root of the problem, not the way a rate is structured. This new bill will not fix the problem, but quoting upfront will.

Robert

I have heard only negative comments about pedicab experiences. I personally used a pedicab once with my 2 young girls and had a horribly unpleasant experience. I negotiated a rate of 10 for 5 blocks and when we got out the driver demanded 15. When I have him 10 he came after me yelling and threatened violence in front of my 6 and 8 year old. He was Eastern European and seemed capable of attacking me. I have him 15 and told my kids we will never, ever take a pedicab again.

I live on Columbus circle and every day have to walk through the gauntlet of pedicab drivers swarming you for business and clogging the sidewalk making it difficult to walk. I have also seen them physically fighting each other near my apartment.

They are dishonest, give tourists a bad memory of New York and are attracting the worst types of people. I will do anything to get rid of them.

Dan

YES !!! PEDICABS SHOULD BE REGULATED JUST LIKE YELLOW CABS, I HAVE SEEN THEM RIDING ON CENTRAL PARK LIKE THEY OWN THE PARK , NO CONSIDERATION FOR THE PEDESTRIANS AT ALL

CARMEN, BAY RIDGE

Pedicabs are a great way to get around efficiently and environmentally friendly. I also support the Council's efforts to introduce transparency into pricing, without mandating a single price per minute. Let the market set the price, but let the price be clear.

Frank - Sunset Park, Brooklyn

Regulate pedicabs like taxis under the TLC. Give medallions and set rate tables accordingly.

Jimmy from the Bronx.

SCHIUMO'S WIFE IS AN ABSOLUTE KNOCKOUT, SO, I CAN UNDERSTAND THE WHISTLING. JOHN, YOU AND I HAVE TO ENDURE SUCH THINGS WHEN OUR SPOUSES ARE THE GALS THAT THEY ARE. I THINK PEDICABS SHOULD BE RELEGATED TO BIKE LANES AND METERS AND PHOTO I.D. SHOULD BE DISPLAYED AS WELL AS CARRYING INSURANCE.

JOE, BAY TERRACE

I feel more regulations are in order especially during this holiday season I've ridden in one recently and felt over charged at $15 for a two block ride from 7th ave and 46th to 6th ave between 46th and 47th streets not to mention the out of control ride of weaving in and out traffic ! What can be done to ensure safety and price regulation ?

Steven