London’s nuisance pedicabs are about to face new laws – here’s why

The colourful and loud pedicabs seen running Londoners around the capital could face tighter regulation as a new law is introduced.

The London Pedicabs Bill recently cleared the Commons, paving the way for the first attempt at regulating the vehicles to become law.

Labour has claimed the government is continuing to avoid responsibility to regulate electric-powered bikes and scooters, but transport minister Guy Opperman told MPs he was keen to see them regulated in the long term.

But Conservative grandee Sir Christopher Chope has defended the pedicabs, saying the cycle rickshaws are to London what gondolas are to Venice.

Concerns have previously been raised that many pedicabs lack basic safety features and can cause traffic problems, such as parking in bus lanes or flouting one-way rules.

Proposed regulations would include licensing, fares, safety, roadworthiness and speed restrictions.

What is a pedicab?

Often spotted around central London hotspots such as Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square, the cycle powered cabs are a popular tourist option.

But Transport for London is currently unable to regulate pedicabs and the police have few powers to control them effectively.

Previously, they’ve been called a nuisance for their bright lights, loud music and charging extortionate fares.

Hundreds of pedicabs have sparked serious accessibility issues in areas including Covent Garden, Soho, Leicester Square and Mayfair, it’s been claimed.

How will the new regulation law work?

The London Pedicabs Bill will give Transport for London owers to crack down on rogue pedicab drivers by regulating fares and improving safety standards.

TfL will be able to decide when, where, and how many pedicabs can operate and ensure they don’t cause danger to pedestrians.

The Department for Transport said: ‘Drivers in breach of this legislation could face having their license revoked, their pedicab confiscated or a fine of up to £2,500.’

Roads and Local Transport Minister Guy Opperman said: ‘For too long, rogue pedicabs have taken advantage of the lack of rules around fares and licensing, so we’re taking action to close that loophole.

‘We know this issue has caused real concerns about the impact on safety and traffic, from clogging up bus lanes to blaring loud music, and this common-sense law will help to put businesses at ease and end the chaos in hotspots like Soho and Covent Garden.’

How will it protect passengers?

New regulations will allow TfL to stop price gouging, after many pedicab customers complained of extortionate fares.

Drivers will also be forced to undergo criminal record and right to work checks before being allowed to carry passengers – the same process used for taxi drivers and private hire vehicles.

Ros Morgan, Chief Executive of Heart of London Business Alliance, said:’We are delighted to see the Pedicabs Bill take its final steps towards becoming law today. Without regulation, pedicabs have been a menace to London. With regulation, they could prove to be a safe and environmental means of travel.’

Conservative former minister Sir Christopher disagreed with the bill, telling MPs: ‘Pedicabs are to London what gondolas are to Venice, an essential part of the colour and vibrancy of our capital city.’

Labour MP Matt Rodda has continued to press the Government to reveal if it had plans to regulate e-bikes and e-scooters in the near future.

He said there needed to be a ‘sensible approach to these new vehicles’ which encourages the use of more environmentally-friendly transport, but also ‘keeps them off the pavements and avoids people being scared to walk down the street’.

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