Flimsy pedicabs provide little protection for their passengers in the event of an accident

• I WRITE further to your report of an apparent lack of government urgency in introducing legislation which would more strictly regulate rickshaws and their drivers, (Government U-turn stops pedicab law, January 20).

Pedicabs are flimsy structures which provide little protection for their passengers in the event of an accident.

The regular reports of aggressive, threatening, behaviour by some of their drivers, together with the overcharging of tourists unfamiliar with the area, indicate that they are a major problem within an urban environment.

The leader of Westminster City Council Cllr Adam Hug rightly describes the current situation as being akin to “the wild west”.

It is disappointing that 20 years have passed without any significant legislation being implemented. Rickshaw drivers who behave irresponsibly should have their pedicabs confiscated and destroyed.

The swift removal and destruction of hire bikes parked on pavements would be a strong incentive for the operating businesses to install docking stations and issue hefty fines to users who do not return their bikes, similar to the system operated by the Transport for London / Santander scheme.

The powerful cycling lobby has always dismissed proposals that pedal cyclists must hold insurance and carry number plates, thus allowing cyclists to ignore red lights and cycle on the pavement with impunity.

Laws already exist to ensure that pavements are for the sole use of pedestrians. However these are not enforced. Local authorities and the Metropolitan Police Service must agree to operate a policy of zero tolerance to prevent the situation from becoming even worse.

KEELEY-JASMINE CAVENDISH,
Address supplied, SE21