- On Wednesday, the Transport Secretary, Rt. Hon. Grant Shapps MP, confirmed a pedicabs licensing scheme will be included in a forthcoming Transport Bill.
- For too long, a minority of pedicab riders have caused nuisance on our roads, blared out their music and charged rip-off pricing. This will now stop under the new licensing scheme.
- Further details of the Transport Bill are expected to be announced during the Queen's Speech on the 10th May 2022.
After a long campaign, Nickie Aiken, Member of Parliament for the Cities of London & Westminster is immensely proud to say that pedicab legislation is on the way.
On the 27th April, Transport Secretary, Rt. Hon. Grant Shapps MP, confirmed that a pedicab licensing scheme will be included in the forthcoming Transport Bill.
As a former Council Leader, Cabinet Member for Public Protection & Licensing, a local councillor, and someone who has lived in the Two Cities for 25 years, cracking down on the minority of pedicab drivers who have caused so much noise and antisocial behaviour has been a long-term mission of Nickie's. When she entered Parliament in 2019, Nickie hit the ground running lobbying Ministers, and brought a number of local organisations together and onboard, including the London Pedicab Operators Association. Nickie left no stone left unturned. Nickie has been determined to secure pedicab licensing to ensure they are both safe and do not cause nuisance. Nickie is therefore absolutely delighted by the announcement which will do just that.
For too long, rogue pedicab operators have caused nuisance on our roads, blared out their music and charged rip-off pricing. Neither vehicles nor drivers go through any form of checks. Nickie has heard directly from local people and councillors right across the Two Cities their stories of how a minority of pedicab drivers have caused so much noise and anti-social behaviour. Nickie knows that despite the incredibly limited powers, Westminster City Council has strived to try to prosecute pedicab riders in the West End who have caused annoyance through the playing of amplified music. A new licensing scheme will crackdown on those nuisance drivers.
Nickie is proud to have worked with an excellent team, backed by so many local people, councillors, residents associations, amenity societies and businesses. Our Westminster City Councillors as well as the Soho Society, the Marylebone Association, the St Marylebone Society, the Covent Garden Community Association, the Knightsbridge Association, and the Hyde Park Association. The list goes on. This achievement would not have been possible without their support.
Nickie's thanks also goes out to the Prime Minister for his personal commitment to giving Government time to secure a pedicab licensing scheme. The confirmation of legislation in April comes following her question at Prime Minister’s Questions in February where the Prime Minister agreed for Government time should my Bill fall.
Celebrating the news, Nickie exclaimed,
This is a success for all of us. For years, your examples, accounts and experiences have told the story of why legislation is desperately needed. Together, we have achieved this victory. I will continue to take your comments to the heart of Government and ensure they are reflected in the licensing regime.
