Regulation of Pedicabs across Greater London moves a step closer after Bill presented at Parliament

Proper regulation of Pedicabs across Greater London has moved one step closer after Nickie Aiken, Member of Parliament for the Cities of London & Westminster, presented a Private Member’s Bill on Tuesday 9 June, setting out the legislative framework.

The proposed legislation would see pedicabs being subjected to a similar level of regulation as taxis and other private hire vehicles.

Currently, pedicabs are exempt from the regulations which cover taxi and private hire services.

Pedicabs for example do not need a licence to operate and are allowed to set their own prices.

Pedicabs are also not subject to any official checks on the safety and ability of their drivers nor the road worthiness of vehicles, unlike black cabs and private hire taxis.

Aiken believes bringing the regulation of pedicabs in line with taxis and private hire vehicles should help resolve complaints that local people have made about pedicabs for several years. These have included pedicabs playing loud music late at night and obstructing pavements.

The Bill, which was backed by a group of cross-party MPs and is supported by Westminster City Council, The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, Lambeth Council as well as the Mayor of London, met no objection in the Commons and it will now progress to a Second Reading.

Image credit: Flickr-Garry Knight