Government to crack down on rogue London pedicabs

A crackdown on rogue pedicab operators in London has been announced in the King's Speech.

TfL will also be able control fares, ensure drivers undergo criminal record checks and set safety standards.

There have been growing concerns about unsafe pedicabs and passengers being ripped off.

Last year in London's West End a tourist was charged £300 for a mile-long (1.6km) trip from Selfridges to Green Park station.

Another was charged £180 for a three-minute journey, even though an £18 fare had already been agreed.

Adam Hug, the Labour leader of Westminster City Council, welcomed the announcement on pedicabs, but expressed disappointment that the King's Speech did not include action on e-bikes and scooters.

He said: "I am disappointed that the government has not delivered on promises made last year to legislate on e-bikes and scooters.

"While we welcome the action on pedicabs, this is an issue which mainly affects tourists and leaves the wider problems caused by some e-bike and scooter riders unchallenged."

Mr Hug said there were up to 2,000 e-bikes in the borough at any given time and "with no regulations around their hire, operation or parking".

He said they caused problems for people with disabilities, people with prams and other pedestrians walking in busy roads, and legislation and subsequent regulation was needed.

Some of the pedicabs you see in London do not look safe and the riding can be very erratic.

And there have been countless stories of tourists getting charged horrendous amounts of money for very short journeys.

So, a clampdown on pedicabs or rickshaws in London is long overdue.

Councils and legitimate operators have been battling for years to get the industry regulated but no-one has paid any attention.

I even remember black cab drivers taking pedicab operators to court to get them banned - it did not work.

Now the loophole in the law will be closed. The law dates back to 1869 as pedicabs are at the moment classed as stage carriages.

And it seems that the industry will face regulation and safety standards.