London rickshaws are causing tension in the heart of the capital, with a frustrated resident saying they should be ‘illegal.’
Controversial pedicabs have been labelled a ‘nuisance’ as countless rickshaws whiz through London.
There have been concerns over the lack of regulation, including pricing, safety and noise from nighttime ‘party’ bikes with sound systems on board.
Transport for London (TfL) launched a consultation in January asking people how pedicabs should be controlled following a new law introduced by the Conservative government last year.
TfL is proposing pedicab controls designed in the same way as taxis are licenced, meaning drivers would have to have a full UK driving licence, restricting where and when rickshaws can operate and safety equipment on pedicabs.
Many of the pedicabs are concentrated in and around visitor hotspots like Covent Gardens, Soho, Oxford Street and Westminster as dozens of drivers try to attract tourists – and residents’ patience is running out.
Fadil Maqedonci has lived and owned a restaurant in Leicester Square for more than 25 years.
He said the pedicabs are ‘the most dangerous thing ever invented.’
‘I’m surprised there have not been serious incidents that someone has not been killed,’ he told Metro.
‘It’s just bad for West End, it’s unsafe and it doesn’t look right.’
Pedicab supporters have said they are an eco-friendly way for tourists and locals to get around, providing a memorable experience without adding to congestion.
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He said drivers flaunting traffic rules, noise and safety were his top concerns – to the point that he has considered moving away with his family ‘because of all this madness.’
Another issue he raised was loud music to ‘attract drunken punters around 1am to 3am’ in the Leicester Square area.
While he knows the area he lives in ‘is not going to be quiet,’ he questioned why pedicabs are allowed to drive around ‘with a DJ system’ while buskin is restricted.
How London pedicabs could be regulated
TfL is running a public consultation until March 7 on pedicab regulation.
Here are some of the proposed actions:
- Pedicab drivers would need to get a licence. To do that, they’d have to have a full DVLA driving licence, go through UK and overseas criminal checks and have English language skills among others
- Safety equipment like high-visibility jackets and driver’s insurance to carry passengers
- Restricting when and where pedicabs can play music
- Where pedicabs can operate, parking and waiting arrangements and use of bus lanes
- As the fares are currently up to the driver and passenger to negotiate, TfL is proposing controls on how fares are set
‘As a family, it has affected us massively. When I’m with the pram, I’m more concerned about them and the way they drive than cars. The traffic is more regulated – you have a crossing, and you are aware of your surroundings, but they don’t care whether there’s a crossing or lights, because of their own rules they made.’
Sometimes pedicabs powered by batteries go ‘very fast’ with ‘drunk passengers hanging outside,’ he said, adding that he has seen ‘cars trying to overtake them and try to avoid a serious accident or collision.’
Fadil was not optimistic about the proposed regulation, saying rickshaws ‘should just be made illegal.’
‘Transporting pedestrians and the way they behave is a formula for a disaster.’
Tim Lord, chair of the Soho Society who has lived in the area for 30 years, said noise was no longer his main concern, but instead ‘a child being injured or dying.’
He told Metro: ‘We were irritated by the noise, but now safety is a bigger issue.
‘The noise thing is how people noticed they are an issue, but there are much more important issues at stake. London’s brand, real safety for passengers and whether we can afford this.’
Helen Chapman, TfL’s director of licensing and regulation, said previously that pedicabs are the ‘only of unregulated public transport in London.’
She said TfL was pleased to launch the consultation as there have been ‘well-documented’ cases of customers being charged ‘rip-off fares.’
Aicha Less, Westminster Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for children and public protection, said: ‘Pedicabs can be a real nuisance for residents and people enjoying an evening out in the West End, and the council welcomes new regulations to control them.
‘We expect to see a TfL licensing scheme for pedicabs in place by the end of this year to ensure safety and consistency across the city.”
‘While it’s TfL’s responsibility to develop the regulations and set the timetable for implementation, we’ll do everything we can to support the process. Once the new rules are in place, we’ll fully back enforcement actions to make everyone can enjoy a safer, more regulated environment.’
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