London Assembly urges TfL to tighten plans further around pedicab safety and training rules
- Perry Richardson
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
The London Assembly Transport Committee has called on Transport for London (TfL) to strengthen its plans for licensing pedicabs operating in the capital.
In its formal response to TfL’s consultation on detailed licensing requirements, the Committee says further steps are needed to ensure passenger safety, rider professionalism and effective regulation.
Chair of the Committee, Elly Baker AM, said Londoners remain concerned about how pedicabs operate in the city. The Committee welcomed TfL’s intention to introduce a comprehensive licensing scheme for drivers, vehicles and operators, but warned that the current proposals still leave gaps in key areas.
The Committee’s submission highlights shortcomings in TfL’s proposed safety standards. It welcomes the move to require annual vehicle inspections and pre-shift safety checks but says TfL has yet to define the standard these checks will be measured against. The Committee recommends TfL develop and publish an evidence-based safety framework covering braking performance, lighting visibility and battery safety before the scheme is rolled out.
On rider training, the Committee supports TfL’s plan to introduce a safety, equality and regulatory assessment for pedicab drivers but argues this does not go far enough. It wants all riders to complete cycle training to the equivalent of Bikeability Level 3, with an additional pedicab-specific module covering safe operation and Vision Zero principles.
The Committee welcomed TfL’s proposal to standardise fares based on journey time with a minimum charge and journey timing to begin only once passengers are seated. However, it believes pedicabs must also display their fares clearly before journeys start to ensure transparency and avoid disputes.
Concerns were also raised about pedicab parking and stopping. The Committee said TfL’s current proposal that pedicabs should stop only where it is safe and legal lacks clarity and could lead to obstruction on pavements, crossings and bus lanes. It recommends the introduction of designated stopping areas across central London to manage pick-ups and drop-offs safely.
Licensing capacity was another issue identified. The Committee noted TfL’s continuing difficulties in processing taxi and private hire licences and questioned whether it had sufficient resources to handle an additional stream of pedicab licence applications. It asked TfL to set out expected application volumes and confirm how it will boost staffing to cope with demand.
Finally, the Committee urged TfL to maintain engagement with local residents, accessibility groups and the pedicab industry beyond the consultation phase. It says ongoing dialogue will be essential to review the effectiveness of the new framework once implemented.
TfL has been asked to respond in writing to the Committee by 1 December 2025.
