Pedicabs fall outside regulation under the Metro­politan Public Carriage Act 1869

PEDICAB drivers are facing a licensing crackdown after the government announced plans for a raft of regulations.

Cities of London and Westminster Conservative MP Nickie Aiken said she had been assured the government had finally committed to combating “the scourge of unlicensed pedicabs” in a “major victory for local people”.

There have been complaints of rip-off charges – with tourists being charged hundreds of pounds for short journeys – amplified music and the three-wheeler drivers breaking basic road rules.

After legislation was announced in the King’s Speech on Tuesday, Ms Aiken said: “A bill will be introduced to deal with the scourge of unlicensed pedicabs in London.

“After 10 years of my campaign, first as a Westminster councillor and four years as an MP, the government is giving pedicabs bill government time.

“The next part of this campaign is to get it into government time. I’m hoping to sit down with the parliamentary officials. My ambition is to have it running for next year.”

She added: “Huge thanks to local people, community groups, residents’ associations and parliamentary colleagues for their support in this long-running campaign.”

Pedicabs have not been regulated due to the loophole in the Metro­politan Public Carriage Act 1869 which meant their operators are not classified as stage carriages.

This meant that there is no requirement for insurance, no require­ment for fares to be fixed or consistent, and no requirement for vehicles or drivers to be quality assessed.

Politicians of different stripes have been campaigning to get pedicabs licensed for almost 20 years.

The dispute is similar to a regulation row about e-bikes that have until recently been able to operate in the capital without any formal agreements.

Camden Council has entered into a contract with operator Lime in June that was supposed to ensure the bikes could only be parked in designated bays – a system that Westminster Council has also implemented.

But the Extra’s sister paper, Camden New Journal, reported last week how Lime were potentially in breach of the contract as bikes continue to be dumped all over the place causing obstructions for the elderly and disabled.

Westminster City Council leader Adam Hug said: “Late-night blaring music from pedicabs has been a consistent irritant for Westminster residents and tourists have been fleeced by unregulated riders. However this government has promised action before, and not delivered, so it is essential that this bill finally becomes law.

“The reality is the government has not delivered on previous promises to legislate on e-bikes.

“While we have established a network of around 300 parking bays through negotiations with e-bike operators to help manage the situation, and have seized dangerously-placed bikes, we are hamstrung by the lack of legislation to give Transport for London and Westminster the powers needed for enf­orcement measures with real teeth.”