I love New York City and it’s definitely one of my favorite cities in the world. However, I haven’t spent a lot of time there since the pandemic; just a couple of nights here and there for work and pleasure so I don’t know the Big Apple as well as I used to, especially compared to when I lived on the Upper East Side.
One thing about living in New York City is that it teaches you to be a good traveler because it’s a global melting pot where you can find anything and everything … including all kinds of scams.
Thankfully, the city is starting to crack down on one of the big scams that target tourists. According to a social media post by NYPD Deputy Commissioner, Operations Kaz Daughtry (@NYPDDaughtry), city officials have just launched Operation Front Door. He wrote: “Operation Front Door is a full go! Times Square is visited by tourists from around the world. Unfortunately, certain pedi-cab scams and illegal vendors have been hampering the quality life in the area. That’s why this collaborative effort amongst the NYPD, @NYCSanitation, and @NYCParks has been launched by @NYCMayor Adams and myself to curb these conditions that impede on the lives of everyday New Yorkers and directly cut into the honest economy of this city!”
#HAPPENINGNOW: Operation Front Door is a full go! Times Square is visited by tourists from around the world. Unfortunately, certain pedi-cab scams and illegal vendors have been hampering the quality life in the area.
That’s why this collaborative effort amongst the… pic.twitter.com/J7TWjlXvEe
— NYPD Deputy Commissioner, Operations Kaz Daughtry (@NYPDDaughtry) September 12, 2024
Daughtry said: “Look at the side of the pedicab that says $8.99 per minute. Can you imagine? What ride are you going on for $8.99 per minute?”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) also posted on X with the caption: “Tourists should feel welcome in New York City, not harassed. Last night, we cracked down on pedicab drivers and illegal vendors who break the law and take advantage of consumers. We’re rolling out the welcome mat for people with “Operation Front Door,” bringing together @NYPDNews, @NYCSanitation, @NYCHealthy, @NYCParks, and community members to focus on our number 1 priority: public safety.
Tourists should feel welcome in New York City, not harassed. Last night, we cracked down on pedicab drivers and illegal vendors who break the law and take advantage of consumers.
We’re rolling out the welcome mat for people with “Operation Front Door,” bringing together…
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) September 13, 2024
Fortunately, every time I was tempted to take a pedicab, I passed because they’re way overpriced and they’re dangerous. I think I took it once, one late night but barely remember.
New York City’s tourism department does have some tips on how to avoid being overcharged for pedicab rides. They write: “Many visitors choose to take a ride in a pedicab, but remember to check for the driver’s DCWP license and the posted rates. The price of pedicab rides must be calculated per minute using a timer. Pedicab drivers cannot charge tax, increase the price for additional passengers, or add other fees, and they must give passengers the official Pedicab Information Card.”
A New Yorker and travel vlogger named David Darang posted a video (embedded below) last December with an inside look at one of the pedicabs hotspots and how not to get scammed by them. Here are David’s tips:
If you come anywhere between Central Park, 59th Street and Times Square, you’ll see these pedicab bikes everywhere. “Now, the scam comes into play where on the side of it, it says, $9 a minute. So, 10 minutes is $90, 20 minutes is $180. So, just for 20 minutes of riding, expect to pay $180. Now, that’s crazy. So what you want to do is talk first and figure out a price before you go out because if they have to come back with you, you don’t want to be surprised that hey, I owe $180. What they’re doing is really a haggling technique in the sense that they know no one’s going to be happy paying $180, so they’ll say, you know what, I’ll do you a favor, I’ll chop off $40, I’ll chop off $50, but for them, they’re still going to make $130 for 20 minutes. So they’re still going to make their money.”
If you really want to take a pedicab, follow David’s last bit of advice: “It’s better that they get something than to be sitting here with nobody. Just tell them your price, something you’re comfortable with. Even $50, they’re going to take you.”
KEEP READING:
–Is your hotel scamming you?
–Don’t fall for it: Scammers are pretending to be customs and border protection agents
–Cybersecurity and fraud expert shares tips on how not to get scammed when traveling
–How to avoid vacation rental scams
–Don’t fall for these QR code scams
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