Proposals to crack down on unregulated pedicabs must be enforced effectively by authorities to ensure “real change”, Transport for London (TfL) has been warned.
By Kumail Jaffer, Local Democracy Reporter
Proposals to crack down on unregulated pedicabs must be enforced effectively by authorities to ensure “real change”, Transport for London (TfL) has been warned.
In detailed proposals outlined on Tuesday (September 9) at the start of a six-week consultation, officials have pitched several major reforms for operators. These include mandatory enhanced criminal record and medical checks, driver ID badges, licence plates and annual licensing inspections.
Under the new rules, pedicab drivers will no longer be allowed to blast amplified music externally or stop in prohibited places to pick and drop off passengers.
Unsuspecting passengers will also no longer be ripped off as fares will be based on journey time with a set per-minute rate.
In November 2023 the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) went undercover to see what riders were willing to charge our reporter. Due to the lack of a clear pricing structure, one rider tried to charge him £20 for a five-minute ride and another quoted £50 for a 10-minute ride.
The transport body has launched a second consultation on rickshaws in the capital, with changes set to come into force by early 2026.
In June, TfL said the first consultation, which proposed controlling the level of music noise and imposing criminal background checks, received “overwhelming support”.
Under the Pedicabs (London) Act introduced by the government last year, TfL now has the power to enforce rules and standards.
Officials are keen to stress that pedicabs – which have been a source of controversy among businesses and politicians in London – are a “zero-emission, safe and enjoyable travel option” – but only when “effectively regulated”.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Pedicabs should be a fun and green way to see the sights of our city, but without regulation some drivers are behaving unsafely and antisocially. That’s why I’ll be pressing ahead with new measures to ensure pedicabs are safe and the industry can continue to thrive in the future.
“I’ve always been clear that regulation and licensing for the pedicabs industry in London is needed so that we can significantly improve safety, drive-up standards and bring an end to tourists and Londoners being over-charged.”
However, while stakeholders welcomed the proposed changes, they questioned the feasibility of enforcing the rules. In peak season, as many as 900 pedicabs are understood to ferry tourists and revellers around London’s hotspots.
Tim Lord, Chair of the Soho Society, told the LDRS: “It’s great that progress is being made – we hope they just get on with implementing it as soon as possible.
“We particularly welcome the ban on 24/7 electronic amplification which will be more practical to enforce than a time-based restriction. However, key questions remain on safety and whether pedicabs are really ‘public transport’ or a bit of fun that should be constrained to areas away from other vehicles.
“Some challenges include passenger safety, including imposing lower age limits, especially when it comes to protection in the event of a collision. We also question who will pay for the cost of enforcing these new rules, and whether giving the police more to do when they are already busy dealing with other crime is tricky.”
Society of London Theatre Co-CEO, Claire Walker, added: “We welcome TfL’s proposals to bring long-overdue regulation to pedicabs and tackle the very real concerns around noise, safety, and disruption.
“With over 17.1 million people attending a West End show last year, audiences deserve a safe, welcoming, and enjoyable experience – both inside and outside our theatres.
“New regulations are a positive step, but only robust and consistent enforcement will ensure they deliver real change. We look forward to seeing the detail and working with TfL to make sure these proposals deliver real improvements for audiences, venues, and the West End as a whole.”
Ros Morgan, Chief Executive of Heart of London Business Alliance, said: “We have long campaigned for proper regulation and licensing of pedicabs in Central London, so today’s announcement is a major step forward. Our priority is ensuring the scheme delivers real improvements in safety and helps to cut criminal activity and antisocial behaviour — keeping the West End a world-class destination.”
Mamun YD, communications officer at the London Pedicab Welfare Association, told the LDRS: “Prohibiting speakers is a great move and we have no questions about issuing driver IDs and licence plates.
“We want to work with TfL to make our streets safer and ensure a more comfortable journey for Londoners.”
The consultation will run for six weeks from today until October 20, with any decisions set to be implemented by early next year.
Helen Chapman, TfL’s Director of Licensing and Regulation, said: “We’ve listened carefully to more than 7,500 responses we received earlier this year, and we’re now setting out detailed proposals for how pedicabs should operate and be regulated in London. We’re committed to working with the pedicab industry and the public to ensure that regulation is proportionate, enforceable and delivers real improvements for everyone. We’d encourage everyone to have their say in the next six weeks before we analyse the feedback and make new regulations as early as possible next year.”
Sir Sadiq added: “TfL has already received overwhelming support for regulation of the industry, and I encourage Londoners, businesses, and operators to have their say on the new proposals so that we can continue building a fairer and safer London for everyone.”
