Met Police seize illegal motor powered pedicab from Westminster streets
Updated: 12 hours ago
A vehicle operating as a motorised pedicab was seized by police in Westminster after being found to breach current rules.
The Metropolitan Police’s Lambeth North West team reported the incident, stating that the vehicle had been unlawfully converted into a motorbike. The rider was penalised for lacking proper insurance and driving outside the conditions of their licence.
Under current rules, pedicabs in London are permitted only if they are pedal-powered. The law categorises motorised pedicabs as motor vehicles, requiring them to meet the same standards as cars or motorbikes, including proper registration, insurance, and driver licensing.
Pedicabs remain a contentious issue in the capital. Advocates highlight their eco-friendly potential and tourist appeal, while critics often raise concerns over safety, unregulated pricing, and obstruction of busy streets. Calls for tighter regulation, including mandatory licensing, have grown louder in recent years, but legislative changes remain pending.
A Met Police Lambeth North West spokesperson said: “Seized. Today we seized this 'rickshaw' on Westminster after an inspection found that it had been converted into an illegal motorcycle.
“The rider has been reported for no insurance and riding otherwise than in accordance with a driving licence.”
