In the 4-month span since Adams' pedicab enforcement effort, a majority of tickets issued are discarded

Police actions face increased scrutiny following a fatal incident where a driver died in their custody.

, and ASMedia

2025 September 25 . 10:36 AM

2 min read

In a span of 4 months since Adams initiated his pedicab enforcement, the majority of issued fines... — In a span of 4 months since Adams initiated his pedicab enforcement, the majority of issued fines have been discarded

In the 4-month span since Adams' pedicab enforcement effort, a majority of tickets issued are discarded

In the heart of New York City, the issue of unlicensed pedicabs has been a contentious one. This year, the Midtown North precinct has received 130 complaints about these unauthorized bicycle taxis, according to the NYPD.

The city's authorities have been attempting to address this issue, with Mayor Eric Adams announcing a crackdown four months ago as part of a broader quality-of-life campaign. However, the enforcement push seems to have had mixed results.

Approximately 1,200 tickets have been issued for unlicensed pedicabs this year, but less than 10% have resulted in any punishment. Jacob Uriel, a former Brooklyn prosecutor, stated that the summons court is effective mainly at pulling people off the street for a day, but most tickets don't stick.

The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) is responsible for regulating pedicabs in New York City. Unlicensed operators, however, seem to be organized and alert each other when there is enforcement, as per Tom Harris, president of the Times Square Alliance.

The death of Musa Cetin, a pedicab driver, in a police precinct following his arrest for failing to appear in court for a ticket, has brought the issue into sharp focus. Cetin, who came to the United States from Turkey in 2022, crossing the border through Mexico with three cousins, was not properly licensed, according to Sinan Ozgar, who rents pedicabs.

Ozgar describes a system in which tickets are simply a cost of doing business. He acknowledges that Cetin was not properly licensed but states that he had cleared all his tickets except one. Ozgar prefers to go to court if he has multiple tickets.

The issue of unlicensed pedicabs is not just a matter of breaking the rules. Many licensed drivers feel the NYPD's approach targets everyone, not just the unlicensed operators, a phenomenon known as the dragnet effect.

Frankie Legarreta, a licensed pedicab driver, supports getting rid of unlicensed operators but feels that licensed drivers should be left alone. Some licensed drivers also support removing unlicensed operators, as they undercut those following the rules.

The enforcement push was intended to rein in the proliferation of bicycle taxis in Midtown, which are often criticized for blasting music, overcharging customers, and scamming them through credit card fraud. If pressure is applied in one area, pedicabs tend to move to other areas, according to Harris.

Last year, 25 people died in NYPD custody, police said. At least four people have died in police custody this year after being jailed for low-level offenses, a practice that's become increasingly common. These tragic incidents highlight the need for a balanced approach in enforcing the rules.

As the city continues to grapple with the issue of unlicensed pedicabs, it's clear that a comprehensive solution will require careful consideration and collaboration between city authorities, licensed drivers, and the unlicensed operators themselves.