Taxi Driver Online

MAN TOLD CYCLE-BASED TRANSPORT IS HACKNEY CARRIAGE

On yer bike!

That is what a Cleethorpes businessman wants to tell North East Lincolnshire Council after it classed his rickshaws as hackney carriages. Chris Sheard (30) owns Seeshores Rickshaws which uses cycle paths to take people from the Wonderland Market along to caravan parks three miles away.

He set up the business last Easter but has just received a letter from North East Lincolnshire Council saying his bikes need to be registered as hackney carriages.

To do that would mean fitting a roof sign and radio to the rickshaws.

Chris said: "It seems to be one rule for one and one rule for another. The Tonka train is allowed to go up and down on the cycle path.

"It is upsetting because I'm a local guy trying to invest business in Cleethorpes and all they are trying to do is put barriers up all the time.

"What I'm supplying is a unique form of environmental transport in Cleethorpes to get visitors around the resort."

In the letter, NELC said Chris needed a Hackney Carriage Drivers' Vehicle Licence to allow his rickshaws to be used in specific areas.

"The silly thing is they won't let me go up a cycle path, but if I have a hackney carriage, I could cycle up the A180 with people in the back," he said.

"I wouldn't want to do that."

And the business is riding high, with his first year going better than Chris had hoped.

He said: "This last year has been absolutely unbelievable.

"I've done weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and nobody's had a bad word to say about the rickshaws."

The letter came from Peter Freeman, of the environment control department at NELC.

"It was out of the blue," said Chris.

Chris owns two rickshaws, which have cost him £7,000 each, and has vowed that he will not stop providing the service to people in the resort.

"It's getting beyond a joke and I'm getting a bit sick of it now," he said.

"To be classed as a hackney carriage it has to be a saloon car with a minimum of four doors, and my rickshaws are never going to be that.

"I'm definitely going to seek legal advice about this."

A spokesman from the council said: "Mr Freeman is not willing to make any comment at this point."
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It's just cost the LTDA thousands of pounds trying to say these bloody things are HCs, and sadly they lost.

So why don't Grimsby council learn from that?

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IDFIMH

he bought two rickshaws for seven grand each and he now thinks its beyond a joke?

Hmmm. My interpretation of it, based on the information posted, is that they would need to be licensed as hackneys.

Furthermore, as he is opperating only a single route with them, then he should also have a special or restricted PSV licence too, and have registered a route with the Traffic Commissioners. Obviously, he will need two first aid kits and two fire extinguishers too, as PSV and Hackney types are not compatible in some areas, and of course, unless he also carries wheelchairs, he is discriminating against the disabled.

His arguments about four doors and radios and roof signs are all bollox. The train he refers to, should be a PSV or, if a railway operation, conform to the railway regulations and have a proper safety case submitted to the railway safety authorities.

Frankly, this gentleman's blatant disregard for the Law and authority in general is disgusting. How dare he perform such henious crime. As the sites biggst respector of the police and authority, I seriously feel that he should be raided by a 100 strong Police task group complete with HK MP5's, Dogs, Roadblocks and a helicopter. Only then will he really grasp what it means to be in the taxi trade.

And I'd bet he doesnt do the drunks from the local pubs either.

Does anyone know if Jubillee do a Rickshaw conversion?

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There is Significant Unmet Demand for my Opinion.

People will do anything to get into the trade

If anyone wants a read of the judgement please find it below.

It may help you Ged, but it may make things even worse.

http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Adm ... /2865.html

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IDFIMH

Have the English courts nothing better to do with their time

Don't blame the courts, blame those that use them.

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IDFIMH

Sussex hasn't.

Whoooooooooooooo.

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IDFIMH

It would seem that these things are no-longer welcome on the strip.

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/ ... 48904.html

But still more than welcome in the smoke.

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IDFIMH