Council calls for “urgent” regulation of pedicabs

Westminster City Council is calling for the Government’s “long-promised” Transport Bill to be part of the legislative agenda, in order to regulate the impact of pedicabs and dockless bikes.

The local authority argues the Bill should include powers to ensure all pedicabs must be licensed with Transport for London (TfL), giving the council the ability to “protect customers, cap the number operating in the city and give them identifiable information, like taxi licenses.”

Pedicabs, also known as cycle rickshaws, are small pedal-operated vehicles, serving as a taxi in some countries and widely used in areas such as London’s West End.

The council has said it wants TfL to have the power to regulate pedicab costs, to stop them from “ripping off customers”.

Currently, the council is limited to only prosecuting noise and nuisance charges.

The most recent prosecutions were heard at the City of Westminster Magistrates Court on 27 September. Three riders were prosecuted under the Control of Pollution Act 1974, with fines ranging from £765 to £1175, the council revealed.

Westminster said: “Whilst the council continues to do its best to curb pedicabs, no current changing in the law means city inspectors have no way to protect people from being charged extortionate fares or stop unlicensed and unsafe pedicabs picking unsuspecting tourists up.”

Cllr Aicha Less, Westminster's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities, Public Protection and Licensing, said: “It’s clear that the government have been freewheeling when it comes to providing proper legislation on pedicabs.

“Anyone who goes out in the West End can see how real the issue is, our city inspectors are trying to combat pedicabs with one hand tied behind their backs.

“We’ll continue to enforce what powers we have to take these rip-off rickshaws off the streets, but we need a Transport Bill in November with clearly defined legislation that gives more power to us and TfL.”

The Department for Transport has been approached for comment.

Lottie Winson