London pedicab licensing bill set to receive Royal Assent

A bill that will hand Transport for London (TfL) new licensing powers over pedicabs operating in the capital has passed its third reading in the House of Commons and is set to receive Royal Assent in the coming weeks.

The Pedicabs (London) Bill gives TfL the ability to crack down on rogue pedicab drivers by regulating fares and improving safety standards, the Government has said.

Pedicabs are currently unregulated and have been the subject of complaints concerning loud music, fares and road safety.

The new law will enable TfL to implement a licensing regime similar to that of local authorities throughout the rest of England and Wales.

TfL will be able to introduce fare controls and set standards for operators, drivers and their vehicles to improve the safety of pedicabs under the law.

Pedicab drivers will have to undergo criminal record and right to work checks, like drivers of taxis and private hire vehicle drivers, under the regime.

TfL will also be able to restrict the presence of pedicabs in certain areas at certain times and will be able to conduct enforcement action against those operating without a licence or outside their licensing conditions.

Nickie Aiken, MP for Cities of London & Westminster, said: "It's now down to TfL to do a statutory consultation after the mayoral elections, and then there's no reason why a pedicab licensing scheme cannot be in place by early autumn."

Roads and Local Transport Minister Guy Opperman said: "For too long, rogue pedicabs have taken advantage of the lack of rules around fares and licensing, so we’re taking action to close that loophole.

"We know this issue has caused real concerns about the impact on safety and traffic, from clogging up bus lanes to blaring loud music, and this common-sense law will help to put businesses at ease and end the chaos in hotspots like Soho and Covent Garden."

Adam Carey