MP brings bill to introduce licensing of pedicabs

The MP for the Cities of London and Westminster, Nickie Aiken, is to introduce a 10-minute rule bill in an attempt to introduce the regulation of pedicabs when Parliament reconvenes on April 21st.

If adopted, the proposals would bring pedicabs in line with taxis and private hire services. Drivers would need a licence from Transport for London (TfL) to operate and TfL would be given the power to regulate the prices they charge and to set safety standards for the vehicles used.

Ms Aiken said that many of her constituents had complained to her about problems of noise, touting and road and pavement traffic congestion caused by some pedicab drivers as well untransparent pricing and the lack of insurance required by operators. Local authorities, she said, are unable to deal effectively with these problems due to the lack of a regulatory regime for pedicabs.

“Pedicabs have long been a bone of contention for people living in near Central London’s tourist hotspots,” Aiken said. “Although great fun for many of the people that use them, a large number of local people have complained to me and to local councillors about the problems pedicabs cause. [The bill] is not about removing all pedicabs from our streets but ensuring that they operate in a safer way for everyone.”