New Map: PediCouncil or PettyCouncil?
On April 23rd City Council Speaker Christine Quinn plans to hold a vote to override the Mayor's veto of her Pedicab banning bill. The vote is the day after Earth Day! nice one Chrissy. This vote is going to be extremely close. Calling your city councilor will make a difference. Chad Marlow, the lobbyist for the NYC Pedicab Owners' Association, tells me there are several swing councilors who originally voted for Quinn's legislation who have now committed to voting against it. This vote could be decided by one or two votes! It is very important you call your city councilor, it will make a difference.
UPDATE: someone in the comments asked, how many votes does Quinn need? She needs 34, right now it looks like she has 38, but some members are reportedly ready to flip if a few more can be turned.
To help you, onNYTurf today launches a new map: Pedicouncil or Pettycouncil, which highlights where each councilor is known to publicly stand. The new map, is like our FreedomZones map highlighting council member position and includes all their necessary contact information.
As you can see, the Speaker's problem is she has been sucking at the tail pipe of the Taxi Medallion lobby too hard.
For more information about the Speaker's bad bill read this.
For more information about why the Speaker is selling out to the Taxi Medallion owners read this.
Note to all of city council: yes, these maps are going to become a habit.
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How many votes are needed to override?
Re: How many votes are needed to override?
So 18 councilmembers need to vote against the bill, against the override. The map lists 11 supporters, so 7 more are needed.
Re: How many votes are needed to override?
chris
Is that you Smolka?
that sounds hilarious! My favorite is that Pedicabs prey upon unsuspecting tourists. You mean like they swoop down out of the sky, er... or rather they swoop down the avenue and then pick up the unsuspecting tourist with their pedi-talons, hauling them away screaming?!
caw! caw! caw!
a good bill would have insured safety standards for pedicabs, they are not slow compared to the traffic jams caused by cars - I've seen pedicabs move through the streets better than cars in midtown. Also pedicabs dont take up the whole avenue, so basically cars need to learn to share - we have lots of transit forms, this is another one, and its clearly viable. You want congestion relief try congestion pricing, eliminating free parking, better public transit, and higher tolls at the bridges. And just when do Pedicabs block emergency vehicles? I'd like to see a photo. Not to mention or confuse the issue, but we know cars never block emergency vehicles.
Re: Is that you Smolka?
I fully agree that they con the tourists. They only go the distance in Central Park that can be walked in 5 to 10 minutes, if that. (Above 72nd St. the hills are higher.) They show the tourists the maps that are posted in the park, and then during the ride they point to things. Sorry, but, for example, I'd advise visitors to walk the Mall. You know, actually experience what it's really all about But I must be crazy to complain; after all, the cafe concessions aren't full (they are off the pedi-cabbed roads).
I also wish we could get our Central Park gates back, esp. at Columbus Circle. It's an obstacle course there, full of obstructions and commercial solicitations. As long as I've been here (all my life), we've tried to keep somewhat true to Olmstead's intentions. Now that's something visitors may be interested.
Re: "pedi-cabs are a idiotic"
Pedicabs have been in NYC for 11 years and nbot one passenger has been hospitalized or killed.
"2. SLOW"
Pedicabs operate in midtown Manhattan where traffic is extremely slow. Pedicabs are the fastest way to travel cross-town. Yes pedicabs don't have high top speeds, but they also don't use the highway. In fact pedicabs can frequently travel faster on the west side bike path than cars can travel on the west side highway.
"3. Clog already congested streets"
Pedicabs can't possibly cause congestion, they are the only vehicular that can go through congestion
"4. Pedi-Cab Drivers prey upon unsuspecting tourists"
Pedicab drivers sell rides to tourists and locals alike. you could say resturants and supermarkets prey on unsuspecting hungry people. Pedicabs provide a service. thousands of people hire them on a daily basis.
"5. Ped-cab drivers are usually weirdo drunken losers."
I would have to say someone who is his own boss and promotes sustainable transportation is a winner. If they really were drunk wouldn't there be lots of serious accidents? instead there are ZERO serious accidents.
Pedicabs are no better than taxis
attention
regards
thanks