A popular vehicle is set to come under new regulations in the capital as part of new plans to protect Britons from being charged extortionate amounts.
Pedicabs will soon face tougher restrictions as Transport for London moves forward with the next steps in regulating the popular tourist vehicles.
The transport authority has revealed the outcome of its recent consultation on regulations for pedicabs, which saw the majority of Londoners support new rules.
The consultation saw 75 per cent of respondents detail how they currently feel unsafe when using a pedicab in London, with 95 per cent in favour of mandating that pedicab drivers should be required to pass UK criminal background checks.
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Drivers could now be fined for not operating pedicabs correctly
GETTYA further 97 per cent of respondents were in favour of pedicabs having appropriate insurance in place to carry passengers, with 96 per cent noting that music and other audio from pedicabs should be controlled.
More notably, 85 per cent of respondents felt that pedicab fares were too expensive, with cases of riders being charged as much as £200 for a journey lasting only eight minutes. The consultation received mass interaction from the public, with 7,699 responses recorded during the scheme.
Under the proposed changes to the rules, it would require all pedicab drivers to be a minimum of 18 years old as well as hold a full DVLA, Northern Ireland, or other EEA state driving licence, or show that they have successfully passed the DVSA theory test.
Other measures include having completed a UK and overseas criminal checks, met medical fitness standards and having strong English language skills.
Regulation of pedicabs is expected to come into force next year
PAWill Norman, London's Walking and Cycling Commissioner, said: "Pedicabs should be a fun and sustainable way to explore what our city has to offer, but without regulation, some drivers are behaving unsafely or anti-socially and charging extortionate prices.
"The Mayor and I have always been clear that regulation is needed to ensure pedicabs can operate safely in London, and this report shows that Londoners agree."
He explained that TfL will be pressing on with next steps and further consultation, with a view to "introducing regulation next year".
Meanwhile, Helen Chapman, TfL's Director of Licensing and Regulation, explained that pedicabs have an impact on the safety of the road network and are currently unregulated.
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Ros Morgan, Chief Executive, Heart of London Business Alliance, added: "It comes as no surprise that this consultation has resulted in such strong support for new regulations and a licensing scheme for pedicabs.
"For far too long, members of the public have been at the mercy of rogue operators who do nothing to enhance the reputation of the West End."
She welcomed the approach taken by TfL,adding that the measures "could not come soon enough to ensure the West End continues to be a world-class destination".
Once the regulations are put in place, TfL will be able to control pedicab fares through similar oversight it has over black cab taxis.
Pedicabs will be regulated in the same way taxis and private vehicles are across London TFLThe transport body will also be able to issue fines of up to £2,500 to operators who violate the rules, as well as allowing them to confiscate pedicabs.
Former MP for the Cities of London and Westminster, Nickie Aiken, was a keen advocate for pedicab rules through her Private Members' Bills. She warned that urgent action was needed to stop tourists and Britons from being scammed into paying huge fares for the unregulated sector.
The bill, which passed through Parliament, raised concerns about pedicabs playing loud music as well as local traffic congestion, particularly in Marylebone, Soho, and the West End.
Other concerns included pedicabs blocking pavements while they are parked up waiting for fares, as well as the cabs' aggression towards pedestrians.
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