Nickie Aiken, Member of Parliament for the Cities of London & Westminster, shared an update on our Pedicabs (London) Bill with its completion through the House of Lords.
Once passed, the Bill will put into law the pedicabs licensing scheme which Nickie has long campaigned for. The scheme will end the blaring music which can go on until the very early hours of the morning, stop the pavements from being blocked by riders who park there, and prevent another story of a tourist or visitor being charged hundreds of pounds for a journey that lasts just a few minutes.
Under the Bill, Transport for London will administer the licensing scheme similarly to how they administer licenses for black cabs and private hire vehicles. The licensing scheme will also require drivers and their vehicles to undertake proper checks to confirm they are fit and proper to take passengers.
Nickie explained,
"I've just been to the House of Lords and learnt that the Pedicabs Bill passed its Third Reading, so it has now finished its journey through the House of Lords. It has passed and it now makes its way to the House of Commons. I'm waiting for confirmation, but it should be within the next few weeks. Thank you so much to everybody who supported us this far.
"We have now got halfway there. A very important section in the House of Lords. Now it goes to the Commons and then fingers crossed it will become law."