They swarm the exits of Broadway theaters competing for attention. Not fans, pedicabs. Lately, they have been causing the sort of chaos and insecurity that make navigating the Theater District a headache — or worse. A noticeable increase in pedicab numbers after pandemic shutdowns — and what some call a lack of regulation and enforcement — has led to friction between these bicycled carriages and pedestrians, theater patrons and Broadway-adjacent businesses.
As debate continues over the potential development of a Times Square casino, pedicabs are an example of crowd-control problems already plaguing the District’s clogged throughways. They’re endangering patrons and affecting business now.
