Taxi Driver Online

A MAN suffered severe head injuries after he fell from a bicycle rickshaw in the early hours of yesterday morning.
The man, who is in his early 20s, was seriously ill in hospital yesterday following the incident in Edinburgh.

The passenger struck his head on the road after falling from the vehicle near to the Sheraton Hotel at about 2:20am, police said.

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Ambulance Service said he had "severe head injuries" and was last night said to be in a serious condition in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

Pedal-powered rickshaws are a common sight in Edinburgh.

Regular calls have been made for tighter regulations after complaints about poor driving and late-night disturbance.

A spokeswoman for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said it was important passengers make sure they are sitting properly in rickshaws.

She said: "Passengers should remember this is a form of transport, they will be out on the open road and they need to take responsibility. Local councils are going to have to make decisions about whether to allow rickshaws based on their own circumstances."

Currently, bicycle rickshaw drivers only require a street traders' licence and there are no regulations to make sure that they are driven safely.

It is not known which company was operating the rickshaw involved in yesterday's incident.

The manager of Edinburgh Pedicabs, Alex Robertson, which operates most of the rickshaws, has previously insisted its cyclists are given full training and the company investigates all complaints. There are more than 60 pedicabs operating in the city, many driven by students part time.

As pedicabs are not motorised, they are not covered by the taxi code of licensing, but drivers need a police criminal-record check.

In 2001, a 22-year-old woman from Ireland nearly died after her scarf became entangled in the wheels of a rickshaw.

Imelda Hogan, had graduated just hours earlier from Queen Margaret University College when she suffered a broken neck in the accident.

She spent months on the critical list in hospital in Edinburgh but faced years of therapy amid fears she may never speak again.

The move sparked a safety investigation, with checks carried out on the vehicles, which were allowed to continue operating.

Police also appealed for witnesses to a separate road traffic incident in which a 16-year-old boy was left seriously ill.

He was a passenger in a blue Rover 25 car which hit a wall near Wauchope House in Greendykes Road just after midnight on Saturday.

The unconscious teenager had to be cut from the vehicle before being rushed to Edinburgh's Western General with serious head injuries.

http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/scotlan ... 6203245.jp

Oh Dear

I think this was predicted, i think this might bring a change of the regulations

i doubt it
these things were brought in as a promotion during the festival years ago(becks beer if i remember right) there here to stay because our stupid council has set precedent and allowed a business to be established.
there dangerous as feck,with untrained idiots cycling these things in all road and weather conditions,and there passengers are all [edited by admin] oot there heads.and they rip people off by charging more than any other form of transport in Edinburgh.

young man who fell from a rickshaw in Edinburgh has died, STV News has learned.

The 26-year-old, who was a soldier, fell out of the pedal-powered vehicle on the city's Lothian Road in the early hours of Sunday morning.

He was rushed to hospital but is reported to have died on Monday morning. The man's family were understood to be with him.

The Ministry of Defence said that it was thought he may have been attached to the Royal Logistics Corps in Southampton.

Lothian and Borders Police Inspector Jim Milne said: "The condition of this man worsened around 11am this morning and he sadly succumbed to his injuries.

"It's not known where the man is from but he was a young serving soldier based in Southampton. His family are from the Lothians and some of them were at the hospital with him today."

Greg Aitken, owner of Chariot Cabs, one of which the young man was travelling in before the incident, said: "I'd like to say that my sympathies are with the young man's family. The driver of the rickshaw did everything he could to assist the man.

"I was very sad to hear this and the thoughts of everyone at Chariot Cabs will be with his family."

Rickshaws are a common sight across the capital, with around 60 thought to be in operation, but the accident has reignited a row over their safety.

Edinburgh City Council has now confirmed it is to re-examine the use of the vehicles across the city.

Councillor Colin Keir said: "Council officers are making enquiries regarding the unfortunate incident at the weekend. It is our intention to look at the licensing of pedicabs in the future."

The City Council previously carried out safety tests on all Edinburgh rickshaws after a young woman was injured while travelling in one in 2001.

The 22-year-old, who had graduated from university hours before, broke her neck when her scarf became caught in the wheel of the vehicle. She spent months in hospital critically ill and endured years of subsequent therapy.

The incident sparked calls for an investigation and all the bikes were tested before being allowed back on the streets.

If they'd have consulted with the people that know.......i.e. the LTDA they'd already have the evidence to ban them useless f*cking things.

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

It always the same ,someone has to be hurt or die before they do something about it.I hope the council get sued.
That's two soldiers over the weekend that have lost there lives in tragic circumstances

Shame someone had to die first.

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IDFIMH

2 incidents in 6 years, don't make them death traps. Safety is relative. A rickshaw might not be as safe as a taxi, in most circumstances, but that doesn't mean you are any more likely to end up dead as a consequence of using one.


I agree that, as a form of public transport, they should have Public Liability Insurance, but I think a ban due to an accident of this nature is stretching it a bit.



IMHO.

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All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

[quote="Skull"]2 incidents in 6 years, don't make them death traps. Safety is relative. A rickshaw might not be as safe as a taxi, in most circumstances, but that doesn't mean you are any more likely to end up dead as a consequence of using one.


I agree that, as a form of public transport, they should have Public Liability Insurance, but I think a ban due to an accident of this nature is stretching it a bit.



IMHO. :shock:[/quote]


It is a combination of an unsafe vehicle and the behaviour of the cyclists themselves.

Their main market is taking drunk people from pub to pub, as such there is an obvious risk of someone falling out if there are no doors or a bar similar to a rollercoaster ride to stop that.

They use the fact that travelling in one in like going on an Alton towers ride to attract their drunk passengers.
Just try walking along Rose Street on a Saturday night, you are taking your life in your hands as they cycle along empty as fast as they can, weaving in and out of pedestrians with their bells ringing just so they can get the attention of the drunks.
When they have passengers their behaviour is no better, racing each other and cornering as fast as they can, as their passengers scream with delight. The crazier the ride the more money they are likely to get. That is the nature of their work.

Indeed questions do need to be asked.

http://news.scotsman.com/opinion/Ricksh ... 6205277.jp

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IDFIMH

Frank, I think you've been watching too many movies. These trike type rickshaws are popular in Cities, all over the world. And as far as I can see, is no more a safety risk through proper usage, than any other transport of this type. However, there should be some sort of operational standard, and perhaps a code of conduct for the rider and passenger to adhere to.

Alcohol seems to be the catalyst in this unfortunate accident as with many other injuries and fatalities.

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All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

Perhaps if they where baned there would be even more demand for hacks up there

As a consequence of a ban, I am sure there would be more demand for hacks, but banned for what, a drunken squaddie falling on his head? A freak accident where no one is to blame. Harsh but true, don't you think?


I take your point though, the vested interests don't want rickshaws, but they don't want an increase in taxis either, even if it means a qualified driver being granted his plate.

_________________
All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

Oh gary ,

Try sticking to the point.

Taxis (and phc) have doors, so it is unlikely passengers will fall or jump off a moving vehicle. Rickshaws dont.

These guys are not going to behave in a proper manner, as the scarier the ride the more money they can get from their drunk passengers.

You must have seen the passengers yourself, the more dangerous the ride the more they like it.

Ive had one guy try...luckily the Kiddie locks thwarted him.