Taxi Driver Online

Rickshaws head for a rough ride

For some, rickshaws add a dash of the exotic and a bit of fun to the capital. But for others they are a menace, causing traffic chaos and snarl-ups. And the controversy looks set to continue with plans to introduce tough rules to license and train rickshaw drivers.

Many rickshaw bosses have welcomed the proposals from Transport for London to regulate the industry. They say it will mean they will finally be taken seriously and ensure strict guidelines on the vehicles and their drivers.

But taxi drivers - the main opponents of rickshaws - say it is not enough as they are unfair competition and should be banned.

Under the proposed new licensing regime, drivers will have to register for training and undergo criminal records checks. The TfL rules will also ban them from blocking narrow-side streets and allow traffic wardens to ticket illegally parked rickshaws.

Graeme Rivett, co-founder of London Pedicabs, described the current situation as 'ludicrous'. "We want to be taken seriously so we welcome regulation with open arms," he said. "A lot of people are telling us what we can't do, but regulation will tell us what we can do. We want ranks and we want to ensure everyone is insured and has an MoT. "At the moment there's nothing to stop anyone buying a rickshaw and setting up. We want to eliminate the cowboy element."

Chris Smallwood, trustee of Bugbugs, London's biggest operator, welcomed the new rules in theory but feared they were a back-door attempt to drive them out of business. "We have been trying to get regulated for five years. But their plans sound like a no-win situation for us," he said. "They want to keep us out of bus lanes and reclassify us as motor vehicles and charge fees. They will try and make it impossible for us to continue."

But taxi drivers, who lost a High Court bid to outlaw the rickshaws, claimed the TfL plan was unworkable. "Rickshaws are driven by transient people who are not interested in being licensed," said Steve McNamara of the Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association. "It is never going to work. The only option is to ban them.

"The reason I don't rob and rape you in my cab is because I love my licence. It's my career. But if you threaten to take away a rickshaw driver's licence he will just get a job in McDonald's."

He claimed rickshaws were dangerous and "the biggest con in London".

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IDFIMH

April the 1st,has arrived early?
Think the rickshaws should be licensed and go through the police test yearly.
Should also have a meter attached to the driver/peddler on the back of his/her head.
Seat belts to EU standard and all passengers to learn Chinese/Cantonese,as also the drivers/peddlers.
Crash helmets supplied to passengers and also champagne?beers/soft drinks to the said passengers,so that the rickshaw owners can compete with the Limo lads.
Fridge for keeping the said drinks cold to be attached to the back of the rickshaw,with air suspended suspension,not to disturb the afore mentioned
drinks,as this would be a safety/health hazard if the drinks frothed up.
No kebabs,fish and chips,hamburgers to be cosumed in the vehicle.

WHAT A LARF

While i agree that ANY person who drives members of the public, whever it is HC, PH minibus, limos or peddlebike, should be checked and licenced, i cannot see how they are seen as competion. the a black cab driver is moaning about losing money to some kid on a peddle rickshaw then your in the wrong job...

They tried this in York a few years ago, the council got involved and next thing they was stopped, no more info available

regards.

The difference is that London taxi censing laws are worded slightly different to the rest of the country. Thus they class themselves as stage-coaches, and must charge individual fares.

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IDFIMH

surely some of the rickshaws will have to be wheel-chair access.

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magic on the pitch (hhmm)

They just tie them to the back.

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IDFIMH

THEM THEM,Sussex,if I could spell discrimination,I would say you are a discriminator
Tie THEM on the back!

Look the poor guy is under a lot of stress

If that is not the case sussex, I can give you the number of a good shrink

Lets all say sorry and be friends now eH

Alright then, tie them to the front.

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IDFIMH

NASTY NASTY NASTY,Sussex.