Pedicab drivers allowed to continue ‘charging hundreds of pounds’

By Jacob Phillips, Local Democracy Reporter

Pedicab drivers will be able to “charge tourists hundreds of pounds to travel down one street,” as new laws for the vehicles have been dropped.

Westminster City council has hit out at the Government for dropping its transport bill, meaning laws for pedicabs still have not been updated since 1869.

Pedicabs have been charging up to £500 for a 10-minute ride across the West End and play music at ear-splitting volumes.

Westminster city council leader Adam Hug said the council needed the Government to give Transport for London (TfL) the powers to license the vehicles.

He said: “The Government’s decision to drop the Transport Bill means the chequered flag has just gone down for rip-off pedicabs, as well as e-bike firms which appear to view central London’s pavements as one huge parking space.”

A tourist was charged £300 for a mile-long trip from Selfridges to Green Park Tube station in 2022, while another customer was charged £180 for a three-minute journey, even though an £18 fare had already been agreed upon, in February 2022 – the Met and council had to order the driver to hand the money back.

The council has given out £17,375 in fines and legal costs to 22 pedicab drivers since November 2021.  The council has also sent 27 drivers written warnings about their behaviour.

The bill has been dropped by the new Transport Secretary Mark Harper and it is not expected until the next parliamentary term.

Pedicabs laws have not been updated since 1869 and the bikes are treated legally as stage carriages. This means anyone can buy a pedicab and begin charging people fees.

Council leader Adam Hug has now written to the Transport Secretary expressing his disappointment about the delay to the rules for pedicabs.

In the letter, he said: “We want to work with Government, and warmly welcomed the steps to regulate pedicabs, which have been causing issues in Westminster for years.

“Without these steps, our residents, businesses, and visitors now continue to face anti-social behaviour, reckless driving, harassment, and blaring music that come with the wild west of unregulated pedicabs, with no end in sight.”

A Department for Transport spokesman said: “We appreciate concerns around e-cycle parking and local authorities are responsible for liaising with operators to ensure pavements remain clear where possible.

“Legislation on the future of transport will be taken forward when Parliamentary time allows.”

Pictured top: Pedicabs outside the Lyceum theatre in February 2022 (Picture: Westminster city council)