PediCabs Licensing Consultation concludes

The second part of the consultation on Pedicab regulation closed on Monday 20^th October.  Many thanks for sending us your feedback in relation to this issue.

The first consultation in March garnered over 7,000 responses.  TfL acknowledged that most respondents to the first consultation said that

pedicabs should be banned and not regulated, the audio from pedicabs is too loud and anti-social, and that pedicabs are unsafe.

TfL already ignored 1,000s of responses calling for a ban or limited areas – we think that individual wards should be able to exclude pedicabs in their area based on a local referendum within 12 months of the new scheme coming into effect

The proposed legislation includes:

• conduct driver and vehicle checks etc.;
• require insurance, a licence plate, and a DVSA theory test certificate;
• have fares based on journey time;
• prohibit the use of externally amplified audio.

While the implementation of the proposed rules is likely better than yet further delay to any meaningful regulation, significant questions remain on the TFL proposals:-

The service is mischaracterised as public transport (!?) - it’s an entertainment for tourists and NOT an essential service for London!

Pedicabs are UNSAFE in a collision with larger vehicles, there have been serious injuries and one death already.

The proposed regulation is insufficient in many ways - the drivers should be required to have a full driving licence, not only pass the DVLA theory test. Their hours should be restricted and they should be prevented from entering pedestrianised areas, or cycle lanes.

The minimum age to be carried as a passenger - while adults can be taken to assume some risk - that cannot be said of children and babies.

The risk of avoidance of driver qualifications, such as DBS checks, unless there is a check to ensure that the driver is the registered driver, the cost of doing this properly would mean the whole scheme is uneconomic, we think there is a risk of extensive avoidance rendering the whole driver qualification system potentially meaningless.

There is no space in central London for them to form ranks for pick up or for rest times - they will continue to block pavements and roads, further increasing congestion in one of Europe’s slowest cities for vehicle traffic.

Our greatest concern, is that even in its limited scope, the legislation will be un-enforceable.

The police and councils do not have spare enforcement capacity - especially not in the West End where pedicabs mainly operate.

The enforcement service must be fully paid for by the operators, and not subsidised by the TfL fare payers or local taxpayers.  This means that quite a high licence fee will be required, despite opposition from operators. 

A rule excluding any powered amplification under the control of the driver or customer at all times is welcome.

We think that the residents should demand that each ward be given the right to vote on refusing pedicabs in their area.

We will update you when WCC share the outcomes of the consultation - we hope that the local resident's views won't be ignored again. Please continue to share your feedback with us on info@rsmsj.com