The pedal-powered taxis have proliferated in the West End in recent years but concerns have been raised about safety and high fares
Transport for London (TfL) has announced the next steps for regulating pedicabs in London after publishing the results of a consultation held earlier this year.
TfL claims bringing pedicabs into regulation will make them safer, ensuring that they are “driven, maintained and operated in a safe and professional manner”.
The report shows the public’s overwhelming support for regulation of the industry, to improve driver and safety standards, TfL says.
The consultation, which received more than 7,500 responses, set out policy principles and sought views from a wide range of stakeholders. Feedback from the consultation included 75% of people who responded currently feel unsafe when using a pedicab in London; 95% agreed that pedicab drivers should be required to pass UK criminal background checks; 97% felt that pedicabs should have appropriate insurance in place to carry passengers; 96% of respondents felt that music and other audio from pedicabs should be controlled; and 85% of respondents felt that pedicab fares are too expensive.
More than 2,400 comments in response to the consultation were about music in the vehicles.
The consultation responses are now being used to develop detailed policy proposals for pedicabs in London which will be subject to a further consultation later this year, with a view to regulations coming into force in early 2026.
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. We’re looking forward to pressing on with next steps and further consultation, with a view to introducing regulation next year, as we build a fairer and safer London for everyone.”
Helen Chapman, TfL’s director of licensing and regulation, added: “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.”
No news is bad news
Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.
The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.
If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.
Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.
Monthly direct debit
Annual direct debit
£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.
More information on supporting us monthly or annually
More Information about donations
