A London resident urgently calls for a ban on rickshaws, citing safety concerns, unfair pricing, and noise pollution.
TfL asked people how to control pedicabs after a new law last year. They propose rules like taxi licensing, meaning drivers would need UK licenses. Restrictions on times and locations exist, and pedicabs would also need safety gear.
Many rickshaws gather in tourist areas like Covent Garden and Oxford Street. Residents are losing patience with them. A local business owner finds them dangerous and is surprised no one has been seriously hurt.
Supporters say they are eco-friendly and offer a unique ride without adding to traffic. The resident is very concerned about noise, traffic rules and safety, and says he might move his family.
Loud music bothers people late at night. The resident questions the rules; buskers have restrictions, but not pedicabs. TfL has a plan to regulate them, and the public can share their thoughts on the plan.
Drivers would need a special license, including a driving license and checks. English skills are required, and rickshaws need safety equipment too. Insurance for passengers would be mandatory, and music times would be limited.
Restrictions would control where they operate, and parking rules would also apply. TfL will control how fares are set, since drivers currently negotiate prices. The resident worries when he is with his child’s pram.
He thinks pedicabs are less safe than cars. Battery-powered rickshaws drive fast, and passengers sometimes hang off them. He says rickshaws should be illegal because he believes they are a recipe for disaster.
Another resident is concerned about safety and worries about kids getting hurt. Noise used to be a primary issue. London’s reputation is at stake, he thinks, because a child’s safety is paramount.
TfL stated pedicabs are unregulated and they hope to stop unfair pricing. A council member agrees controls are needed and that licensing should start by year’s end. This should make the environment safer.