Trixi.com
03-04-2005, 22:54
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Are Pedicabs Insured?
(New York-WABC, March 30, 2005) — You see them peddling up and down the streets of Manhattan - pedicabs, or bicycle powered, people movers. But what happens if there's an accident - are pedicabs insured?
A company owner gave a surprising answer to Tappy Phillips and Seven On Your Side. You can see them around Midtown in good weather and more and more are appearing every year. But now an accident has taken a large percentage of them off the streets and has brought the city around to taking a hard look at licensing them.
George Bliss's fleet of pedicabs is sitting idle today.
George Bliss, Pedicabs of New York: "We'd probably run of out cabs on a day like this."
George is temporarily out of business because his insurance company cancelled his policy. For the past few years, pedicabs - cabs propelled by pedal power - have been a common sight.
But three years ago, two of George's passengers were hit by a bus in Midtown. They sued and George's insurance company settled. They also cancelled his policy and a new one is too expensive.
George Bliss, Pedicabs of New York: "This event made my rates unaffordable in that market."
The couple that was injured was lucky that George was insured because other pedicabs may not be.
Sanford Rubenstein, Plantiff's Attorney: "In New York City there is no requirement whatsoever for pedicabs to have liability insurance or no-fault benefits insurance, which gives people the payment of medical bills or loss of waged if they're seriously hurt in accidents."
Pedicabs came to New York about 10 years ago, but because there was no regulation they pedaled in under the radar, but now George's plight has put pedicabs in the spotlight.
Gretchen Dykstra, Comm., NYC Dept of Consumer Affairs: "At the moment they don't have to be licensed which means that we don't know which ones have insurance and which ones don't."
But that could change as soon as the city council can act.
Gretchen Dykstra, Comm., NYC Dept of Consumer Affairs: "You probably would expect they were insured when you step into it and we think they should be."
Gretchen Dykstra says she has spoken to the owners of several pedicab companies and to authorities in other cities. It's likely she will recommend that pedicabs be licensed. That could very well require them to be insured as well, and that might lead to affordable insurance for George Bliss and his company.
Are Pedicabs Insured?
(New York-WABC, March 30, 2005) — You see them peddling up and down the streets of Manhattan - pedicabs, or bicycle powered, people movers. But what happens if there's an accident - are pedicabs insured?
A company owner gave a surprising answer to Tappy Phillips and Seven On Your Side. You can see them around Midtown in good weather and more and more are appearing every year. But now an accident has taken a large percentage of them off the streets and has brought the city around to taking a hard look at licensing them.
George Bliss's fleet of pedicabs is sitting idle today.
George Bliss, Pedicabs of New York: "We'd probably run of out cabs on a day like this."
George is temporarily out of business because his insurance company cancelled his policy. For the past few years, pedicabs - cabs propelled by pedal power - have been a common sight.
But three years ago, two of George's passengers were hit by a bus in Midtown. They sued and George's insurance company settled. They also cancelled his policy and a new one is too expensive.
George Bliss, Pedicabs of New York: "This event made my rates unaffordable in that market."
The couple that was injured was lucky that George was insured because other pedicabs may not be.
Sanford Rubenstein, Plantiff's Attorney: "In New York City there is no requirement whatsoever for pedicabs to have liability insurance or no-fault benefits insurance, which gives people the payment of medical bills or loss of waged if they're seriously hurt in accidents."
Pedicabs came to New York about 10 years ago, but because there was no regulation they pedaled in under the radar, but now George's plight has put pedicabs in the spotlight.
Gretchen Dykstra, Comm., NYC Dept of Consumer Affairs: "At the moment they don't have to be licensed which means that we don't know which ones have insurance and which ones don't."
But that could change as soon as the city council can act.
Gretchen Dykstra, Comm., NYC Dept of Consumer Affairs: "You probably would expect they were insured when you step into it and we think they should be."
Gretchen Dykstra says she has spoken to the owners of several pedicab companies and to authorities in other cities. It's likely she will recommend that pedicabs be licensed. That could very well require them to be insured as well, and that might lead to affordable insurance for George Bliss and his company.