Council secures nearly £3000 to control pedicab chaos

• Six rogue pedicab operators were fined nearly £3000  

• This is the first set of fines since the King’s Speech with the introduction of a bill to control pedicab drivers 

• Pedicabs operate in an unregulated ‘Wild West’ environment, lacking mandatory insurance requirements, creating a chaotic and unsafe environment  

• Continued calls for more powers from central government have been made to include dockless bikes and e-scooters 

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Westminster City Council has successfully secured fines, costs, and victim surcharges totalling £2,718 under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 against six pedicab drivers. These prosecutions were handed down following a hearing held on October 25 at Westminster Magistrates Court, with fines ranging from £26 to £751.  

These prosecutions are the first since the King’s Speech, where new regulations are being considered to give Transport for London (TfL) powers to ensure all pedicabs must be licensed with Transport for London. This will give Westminster City Council the ability to protect customers, to cap the number operating in the city and give them identifiable information, like taxi licenses.  Powers will also be given to regulate pedicab costs, helping to prevent customers being ripped off.  

In 2022, the council launched a campaign to warn visitors about scams by rogue pedicab operators. The council has worked with local businesses to fine several pedicab drivers based on noise or nuisance complaints.  

While Leader of the Council Cllr Adam Hug expressed approval for the bill’s introduction, he stressed the necessity of additional powers for the council to effectively combat the issue of dockless bikes and e-scooters.  

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities Public Protection and Licensing, Cllr Aicha Less, said:  

We are looking forward to welcoming visitors to central London to enjoy festive lights and take part in Christmas shopping. People should not have to worry about getting scammed by nuisance operators but sadly, at times it's like the Wild West when it comes to pedicabs.

The bill is a step in the right direction, but we need to see how it progresses through parliament before we see actual change."