Taxi Driver Online

Rickshaw wars as taxi drivers brand rivals a menace



Road rage: Javier Antunez on his rickshaw in Soho. Riders say they are unfairly criticised by cabbies

Rickshaw wars have broken out in the West End, with licensed black cabbies accusing their rivals of being uninsured, dangerous to passengers and a menace to other drivers.

For their part, rickshaw operators claim taxis fear the competition and deliberately drive too close to them. However, there are claims of rickshaw riders touting aggressively for business, jumping lights and going the wrong way down one-way streets.

Westminster council hopes to draw up a code of conduct which would see riders agreeing to personal and vehicle safety checks and regulated fares.

It is feared there will be many more rickshaws - or pedicabs - on the streets next year, as riders cash in on the Olympics. The council estimates there are now about 600 in and around the West End, Soho and Covent Garden.

They are not licensed and no checks or standards apply to either driver or vehicle.

Bob Crow, leader of the RMT union, which represents some black cab drivers, wants Transport for London to act. "Alongside the threat to the livelihoods of our members, there is also the threat of serious injury to members of the public who have no idea that they are climbing into uninsured and unregistered vehicles," he said.

Oscar Borgas, 30, from Colombia, a rickshaw driver for 18 months, said: "If you drive carefully it's very safe for customers. Not all rickshaw drivers are good - but not all cab drivers are good."

TfL said it has no legal powers to regulate pedicabs but is "working with the council and the Government in relation to the industry".

The rickshaws are not licensed because under current legislation they are not classed as Hackney Carriages.

Councillor Lee Rowley, cabinet member for parking and transportation, said: "We want to support the vibrancy of the West End, in which pedicabs can play their part but in safe fashion."

source: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Would you get in one of them?? I know I wouldn't. Having witnessed them 1st hand when I was down London a few years ago they want taking to the local scrap yard.

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Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.

Believe me, don't get Mercury X2

Could they not be licensed under private hire legislation?

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

Only if they had an engine.

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IDFIMH

Oh I didn't realise it had to have an engine. What licence regulations do they use for none engine vehicles like in Blackpool and other places that have horses?

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

A horse/landau is a hackney licence

Yes if its got an engine or is animal hauled it seems to need a licence but as soon as a "cycle" element is added it appears that the requirement for a licence and the need to observe the highway code no longer apply

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Saw one being examined by taxi staff in York yesterday. Looks like they are coming to our famous city. There is an agreement for ten hackney licensed pedicabs.

Saw one being examined by taxi staff in York yesterday. Looks like they are coming to our famous city. There is an agreement for ten hackney licensed pedicabs.

So that agreement has doubled in the space of a minute?

York licensing must be the fastest in the country!!

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Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

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