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/