New regulated Pedicab Bill will be a ‘BOON FOR TAXI DRIVERS’ says Prime Minister

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A new Bill designed to bring the regulation of pedicabs in-line with London black cabs and private hire vehicles will be a ‘boon for taxi drivers’, says the Prime Minister.

After pedicab concerns ranging from playing loud music, increased traffic congestion, lack of insurance and excessive charges being charged, a new Pedicabs (London) Bill has forced its way through Parliament to the last stages of approval.

Nicki Aiken, a Conservative MP for Cities of London and Westminster, said at the House of Commons: “I have just come from a meeting with the London Pedicabs Operators Association, Transport for London and the Department for Transport, where sadly my hon. Friend the Member for Christchurch (Sir Christopher Chope) confirmed that on Friday he will be objecting once again to my Pedicabs (London) Bill, which means it will fall.

“Does my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister agree that it is time we legislated for pedicabs, to ensure that they are safe for women and girls to use, that we rid ourselves of the dodgy fares and that the noise they create is regulated? Will he work with me to legislate for and to regulate pedicabs once and for all?"

Boris Johnson said: “When I was Mayor of London I always yearned to be in a position to put that through Parliament, and now I am. I am very grateful to my hon. Friend and we will ensure we give parliamentary time to make it possible. It will be a boon for cyclists and a boon for taxi drivers, and it is high time we did it.”

The Metropolitan Police this week issued a warning to the general public to avoid using pedicabs and unlicensed minicabs in the capital to remain safe and free of extortion.

In a tweet posted by the Mets Hammersmith and Fulham Team, a spokesperson said: "Always use a booked & licensed minicab, taxi, bus or underground.

"Avoid pedicabs or unlicensed minicabs. There will be no record of your journey or driver, and it puts you at risk of attack, including sexual assault and robbery."

The Met's dedicated safe travel advance webpage also details what forms of transport to access and which ones to avoid, pointing out that unlicensed minicabs are not insured to carry paying passengers so therefore can leave you unprotected from cover in the case of an accident.

The webpage also points out one of the biggest risks of taking a pedicab, which is the extortionate prices that can be charged.

It states: 'These are legal but be careful as some drivers have been known to demand extremely large sums of money for very short rides.'

TaxiPoint recently reported on an incident where a pedicab passenger was being charged £180 for a journey which should have only been £18. According to Soho Police, who tweeted about the incident, they had to intervene and assist the passenger because the pedicab rider had purposely entered an extra zero on the card machine.