MP for the Cities of London & Westminster, Nickie Aiken, is delighted that the Pedicabs (London) Bill has received Royal Assent to become law.
We now have the Pedicabs (London) Act.
Nickie thanks everyone for their continued support over the years.
Transport for London now needs to carry out their required consultation, and Nickie hopes our licensing scheme will be up and running in early Autumn.
Celebrating the news, Nickie explained,
"The Pedicabs (London) Bill is no more because it is an Act. It has received Royal Assent today. So it is now on the Statute Book. And I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support and your help to get the Pedicabs Bill through.
"So, now it goes to TfL, whose role will be to set the pedicab scheme up. That will happen after the mayoral elections and there will be a statutory consultation and hopefully, TfL will be able to have the pedicab licensing scheme in place by early autumn.
"It is so important that we got this through so that pedicabs are safe, that tourists are protected from unregulated fares and that local people and local businesses are not disturbed by the blaring noise and having pedicabs outside their windows and disrupting the road and pavement.
"So thank you all for all your brilliant support. Pedicab regulation is now definitely coming."
Nickie has left no stone unturned in securing our licensing scheme. She brought forward her own Private Members' Bills, constantly highlighted the need for regulation with Ministers, and ensured our voice was heard in the very heart of Government. It was clear we needed Government time in Parliament, and working together, Nickie secured it with His Majesty The King announcing a pedicabs Bill in November.
From your stories, your experiences, and whilst out and about across our neighbourhoods, Nickie has seen how desperately we need the licensing scheme. Whether it's to 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, or prevent another story of a tourist or visitor being charged hundreds of pounds for a journey that lasts just a few minutes. Our licensing scheme will put an end to the horror stories.
Transport for London will administer the licensing scheme similarly to how they administer licenses for black cabs and private hire vehicles. Our licensing scheme will also require drivers and their vehicles to undertake proper checks to confirm they are fit and proper to take passengers.
