Pedicab regulations

Why

The Pedicabs (London) Act 2024 grants us, TfL, powers to regulate pedicabs in public places in London.

One of the main aims for regulating pedicabs in London is to make them as safe as possible, including ensuring that they are driven, maintained and operated in a safe and professional way.

We are proposing that the regulations and licensing regime requirements for pedicabs would be similar to those that apply to taxis and private hire vehicles (PHV) but tailored to the unique nature of the pedicab and the market they operate in.

We recognise the importance of ensuring regulations are set at the correct level to enable pedicabs to be able to operate and offer a safe, professional and reliable service to passengers. It is also important that we consider the broader issues that have been raised with us such as addressing issues of fares charged to passengers and anti-social behaviour caused by loud music, parking and congestion.

This consultation is about pedicabs which are made available with a driver for carrying passengers for payment including cargo bikes that can or are used to transport passengers. It does not cover vehicles used to carry freight or other non-passenger carrying services nor does it relate to people that use pedicabs for personal use only.

For more detailed information on our proposals, visit our More information tab above. 

Pedicab driver

If a person intends to drive a pedicab for hire to passengers in London, we propose that a pedicab driver’s licence would be required. We propose that a driver’s licence would be issued for one year.

Driver Licensing requirements 

The main purpose of regulating pedicabs is to ensure passenger safety. We are therefore proposing that London pedicab drivers should be required to meet the same or similar requirements that are currently in place for London licensed taxi and PHV drivers.

We anticipate that those intending to drive a pedicab will need to make an application to TfL for a licence and will need to meet a minimum set of criteria.

• A minimum age of 18 years old
  
  
• Hold a full DVLA, Northern Ireland, or other EEA state driving licence or can show that they have successfully passed the DVSA theory test
  
  
• UK and overseas criminal checks
  
  
• Meet medical fitness standards
  
  
• English language skills
  
  
• Demonstrate they understand their role and responsibilities in terms of safety, equality and the regulations they should follow 
  
  

Driver safety and Insurance

We are considering whether there should be a requirement for safety equipment for pedicab drivers such as high-visibility jackets, cycling footwear and saddle requirements as per the guidance issued in the Highway Code.

We propose that regulations would require pedicabs to have appropriate insurance in place at all times, which includes while carrying or waiting for passengers.

We would like to know if you think we should:

• Require drivers to wear safety equipment, such as high visibility clothing
  
  
• Require drivers to have appropriate insurance to carry and wait for passengers
• Ask applicants to be subject to the same criminal records checks and medical standards as taxi and PHV drivers
  
  

You can let us know what you think of these proposals by completing our survey.

For more detailed information on our proposals, visit our More information tab above.

Public and users

On this page, you can read about considerations on where and how pedicabs could work, also how the fares could be charged.

Noise

Antisocial behaviour and noise offences are already covered by existing legislation. However, we are considering whether regulations should address driver conduct such as playing loud music and causing disturbances.

We would like to know if you think we should:

• Introduce controls to prevent pedicabs playing music or other audio at certain levels or at certain times of day (or both)
  
  
• Introduce controls to prevent pedicabs playing music or other audio at all times

How and where pedicab vehicles can operate

Pedicabs drivers currently pick up passengers while standing in the street (called plying for hire) and take them to a mutually agreed destination. In considering passenger safety we intend to review the way pedicabs currently operate and how they should operate once regulated. This includes how and when they are engaged by passengers, parking and waiting arrangements, use of bus lanes and the impact on the road network.

We would like to know your thoughts on the following:

• Whether pedicabs should be permitted to ply for hire only
• Whether pedicabs should be prebooked only with the booking being made with a London licensed pedicab operator
• Whether pedicabs should be permitted to ply for hire and be pre-booked through a London licensed pedicab operator.

The majority of pedicabs currently operate in small areas in London.

We would like to know if you think there should be controls in place to permit pedicabs to only operate in specific areas or whether they should be permitted to operate anywhere in London.

Do you think that:

• Pedicabs should be able to continue to use existing bus and cycle lanes (including cycle superhighways)
  
  
• Pedicabs should be treated in the same way as other cycles and not permitted to use major roads and tunnels for safety reasons
• Pedicabs should be permitted to stop and wait for passengers standing in the street
  
  
• Pedicabs should only be permitted to stop in designated pedicab stopping areas

You can let us know what you think of these proposals by completing our survey.

For more detailed information on our proposals, visit our More information tab above.

Fares

At present there is no consistency to the way fares charged for a pedicab journey. We are proposing to introduce fare regulation to address this issue currently experienced by some pedicab passengers.

We would like to know if you think we should:

• Control and set fares which could be done using a time based, distance based or zonal based structure or a combination of these
  
  
• Publish a guide to fares but pedicab operators or drivers set their own fares which must be agreed in advance with passenger(s)
  
  
• Allow the fares to be set by the pedicab operator or driver and agreed in advance with passenger(s)

You can let us know what you think of these proposals by completing our survey.

For more detailed information on our proposals, visit our More information tab above.

Pedicab vehicle

On this page you will read about what types of pedicabs could be regulated and our suggestions on vehicle inspections.

We propose that any pedicab vehicle operating for hire by passengers in London must have a pedicab vehicle licence, including ‘party’ bikes that operate passenger pedalled tours in London. We consider that it is likely that these vehicles fall under the legal definition of a pedicab and will need to be licenced.

Definition of pedicab vehicle

We recognise that new pedicab vehicles, whether manually propelled, electrically assisted or even automated, may enter the market and we want to ensure that regulations cover existing pedicabs as well as potential future innovation.

Our current proposals are predominantly based on those pedicabs currently in use in London. To help shape our consideration on future innovation we would be keen to hear your views about future pedicab designs or models and what regulation may be appropriate to introduce to ensure passenger safety.

Vehicle inspections

We consider it important for public safety that pedicab vehicles are inspected regularly to ensure they remain roadworthy. We propose that pedicab vehicles will require regular inspection to check the condition of the vehicle to ensure it remains safe. We also propose that regular on-street safety checks are also conducted by us. The frequency of the vehicle inspections will help us determine the appropriate duration of the vehicle licence.

We would like to know how often vehicle inspections should be carried out and should that depend on the vehicle type: 

• Carry out a formal pedicab vehicle inspection every 12 months
  
  
• Carry out a formal pedicab vehicle inspection more frequently than every 12 months
  
  
• Carry out a formal pedicab vehicle inspection less frequently than every 12 months
  
  
• Have more or less frequent inspections depending on the vehicle type e.g. a different duration if manually propelled compared to electrically propelled and why

You can let us know what you think of these proposals by completing our survey.

For more detailed information on our proposals, visit our More information tab above.

Pedicab operator

If a person, company or other organisation propose to take bookings for the hire of pedicabs operating in London, we propose they will need a pedicab operator’s licence.

We propose that applicants would need to meet the following minimum requirements in order to be a licensed as an operator:

• The right to work in the UK
  
  
• To be of good character, assessed via a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and to meet the same character standards as PHV operators
  
  
• To be of good business repute
  
  
• To have a fixed address in London

Pedicab operators are likely to play an important role in providing pedicab services and are likely to have a number of responsibilities in delivering these services. We’re proposing the responsibilities that would apply to operators could be:

• Ensure drivers and vehicles meet licensing requirements
  
  
• Maintain, manage and retain records
  
  
• Ensure bookings are only allocated to licensed drivers and vehicles
  
  
• Hold appropriate insurances for their business and operations
  
  
• Have processes in place for dealing with complaints and lost property

We welcome your views on the role and responsibilities of operators. If you have any comments on operators, please add them to the free text section at the end of the survey.

For more detailed information on our proposals, visit our More information tab above.

More Information

We have provided more information to help you respond. You can also use our question tool during the consultation period. We will respond your questions as soon as we can. You can also contact us by email, via our telephone call back service (020 3054 6037) or in writing (FREEPOST TFL HAVE YOUR SAY).

Tell us your views

You can reply by completing our survey, which should take no more than 10 minutes to complete or if you are short on time, you can submit a quick response.

The closing date for comments is 7 March 2025.