This month, the New York City Council is considering a ban on electrically-assisted pedicabs, and a cap on the number of pedicabs on the street.

Not only will this hurt a burgeoning low pollution, high employment industry -- it will pull the plug (so to speak) on the development of a new class of smaller, silent vehicles needed for the climate changed city-to-come. NYC has great potential as a Zero Emission Vehicle research and development center, with its innovative design, financial, media and cultural players, producing smaller, 'softer' mobility units appropriate for urban living.

There's also a bill in play that would cap the total number of pedicabs to a tiny percentage of 20th century-style internal combustion cabs. Less energy-efficient, and contributing to the smog that helps create the city's load of childhood asthma and other respiratory illnesses, these cabs operate at higher cost to society than pedicabs.

There'll be a rally sponsored by the NYC Pedicab Association and the League of Humane Voters NYC at noon on Feb. 13, 2007 in front of City Hall, to encourage the City Council to back Intro. 75, which pedicabnews.com calls "a sensible regulatory framework" for pedicabs in NYC. If you can't get to City Hall, contact your City Council member today.