Transport for London (TfL) has announced plans to regulate the industry after publishing the results of a consultation held earlier this year.
The consultation received more than 7,500 responses and showed overwhelming public support for regulation to improve safety standards across the industry.
Three-quarters of those who responded said they did not feel safe using pedicabs in the capital in their current state, with the majority of responses expressing concerns regarding driver safety and accountability.
In addition to safety concerns, 95 per cent of respondents agreed that pedicab drivers should be required to pass UK criminal background checks, aligning them with taxi and private hire vehicle drivers.
Almost all respondents (97 per cent) believed that pedicabs should have insurance in place to carry passengers.
Moreover, more than 2,400 comments were received regarding the music played in the vehicles, with 96 per cent of respondents agreeing that audio should be controlled.
A significant concern was also raised over pedicab fares, with 85 per cent of respondents feeling that the fares were too expensive.
TfL will use these responses to develop specific policy proposals, which will be subject to a further consultation later this year.
This consultation will allow both the pedicab industry and the London public to express their views on TfL’s proposals, including details on safety regulations and a potential fare structure.
Will Norman, London’s walking and cycling commissioner, said: “Pedicabs should be a fun and sustainable way to explore what our city has to offer, but without regulation some drivers are behaving unsafely or anti-socially and charging extortionate prices.
“The Mayor and I have always been clear that regulation is needed to ensure pedicabs can operate safely in London, and this report shows that Londoners agree.”
TfL’s director of licensing and regulation, Helen Chapman, said: “Pedicabs can provide a unique and green way to see the capital.
“However, pedicabs have an impact on the safety of the road network and are currently unregulated.
“Following this first consultation on pedicabs, we are using the responses and comments provided to ensure that the changes work for everyone.
“We look forward to working with the pedicab industry to ensure it is run fairly and safely and continues to be a sustainable mode of transport in the capital.”
Ros Morgan, chief executive of Heart of London Business Alliance, said: “It comes as no surprise that this consultation has resulted in such strong support for new regulations and a licensing scheme for pedicabs.
“For far too long, members of the public have been at the mercy of rogue operators who do nothing to enhance the reputation of the West End.
“We welcome the thorough approach that TfL has taken to develop the proposals and implementation of the scheme could not come soon enough to ensure the West End continues to be a world class destination.”
TfL plans to bring in regulations early next year.
This would ensure that pedicabs are driven, maintained, and operated in a safe and professional manner, putting an end to the current unregulated state of the industry.
The ongoing engagement will ensure that any future regulation is fair, proportionate, and effective in addressing the concerns raised while supporting a safe and professional pedicab industry in London.
