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Boris Johnson has scrapped plans to license rickshaws in the West End because of fears that passengers injured in accidents could launch legal claims against his office.
A consultation into licensing the unregulated industry was launched three years ago but the black cab trade has been told the scheme has been abandoned by Transport for London.
It is the latest twist in a long-running battle between taxi drivers and the "pedicab" operators over safety and competition for customers.
TfL's Public Carriage Office, which oversees taxis in London, launched the consultation in 2006 but told the London Taxi Drivers' Association and Grant Davis, chairman of the London Cab Drivers Club, that it was to be quietly sidelined.
Mr Davis said Mr Johnson wants the Government to legislate to avoid legal claims and compensation pay-outs becoming the sole responsibility of London's taxpayers.
There is a long history of friction between pedicabs and black cab drivers, who say they are a dangerous menace which takes lucrative trade from the busiest parts of the West End.
They have also complained that because the rickshaws are not licensed, they can drive and park wherever they like without fear of prosecution.
"Boris wants to put it back into the hands of the Government," Mr Davis said. "I think that people are coming round to our way of thinking that they are a death trap.
"If they have licences and they have a crash in which someone is killed, it could create problems for Boris and he does not want to take any risks." A spokesman for Mr Johnson confirmed the scheme had been scrapped.
He said: "The Mayor has concerns about the conduct of some pedicab riders and believes that it is the Government's responsibility to introduce clear legislation to regulate the pedicab industry.
"This legislation should ensure that there are clear safety standards and that all such vehicles are required to be registered. It should also provide a framework for local licensing schemes.
"Clear lines of accountability in the event of accidents would obviously be key to any pedicab legislation and the Mayor would not risk any extra cost for the capital's taxpayers by progressing a formal pedicab scheme not already backed by national legislation."
Bob Oddy, general secretary of the LTDA, described it as a "major victory" for black cab drivers but added the move raises questions about what happens next. He said: "If pedicabs had been granted a licence of respectability, it would have been virtually impossible for the LTDA to succeed in its campaign to ban them."
Most pedicabs operate in Westminster. Its director of transportation, Martin Low, said: "In the long term, London does need legislation to give it the power to license pedicabs and we will continue to lobby for a change in the law."
Reader views (13)
I am a cyclist who rides in the West End quite often. I find that the rickshaws are a real nuisance. Here are some reasons:
1. They are slower than most bicyclists, take up much more room on the road and are usually difficult to pass.
2. They park on cycle lanes, for example at the end of Brewer St & Soho St entry and cyclists cannot get past them. Both of these lanes are contra traffic, so cyclists *have* to use them.
3. They park at traffic lights on double lines, in particular over the road from Long Acre near the Leicester Square tube station. This is a very narrow road and very busy, and they are a nuisance.
4. They have the same bells as cyclists and they ring them to get attention. Consequently pedestrians ignore bells which are rung by ordinary cyclists as a warning.
5. They use cyclist-only lanes, for example the one at Aldwych, taking up the whole width of the lane thereby blocking it completely. Cyclists coming off Waterloo Bridge cannot get onto the lane because it is blocked (and vice versa for cyclists wanting to get onto Waterloo Bridge).
These are just a few complaints about rickshaws.
There may be a time and a place for rickshaws in the west end but it is not now. When there are fewer cars (hopefully soon) and rickshaws are banned from using cycle lanes completely and fined for blocking traffic then that might be the time. There is not enough space for rickshaws yet.
- Merrie, London
I wholeheartedly agree with Christian Gomez.
It's about time some other form of transport give black cabs a run for their money!
Most cab drivers are arrogant and seem to have little knowledge or respect for the highway code or other road users.
How many times do they suddenly stop on double red lines or pedestrian crossings to let passengers on and off? How come they seem to be above the law and are permitted to perform dangerous U-turns just about anywhere? And don't get me started on their extortionate rates!
It's now blatantly obvious that Bojo just pretends to be environmentally friendly when it doesn't rub his lobbies the wrong way.
- Marco, Notting Hill
I am rickshaw rider, it's true we do not have a licence yet, but i assure you we are safe and we do not rip people off, we help people to get home or even to get a black when the streets are too busy.
We get people home before they get assaulted or robbed by some dodgy people on the streets of soho or leicester square late at night.
we help you people when you are drunk and you get rejected by a taxi driver, couse you can talk properly, we take to your hotel or house.
It's tue we do charge a bit more than a black cab, but we do 100 porcent more efford than a fat taxi driver.
thanks
Chris Gomez.
- Christian Gomez, london
Rickshaws are not a financial threat to Londons black cabs!
They are an unsafe menace on the streets of London. It's only a matter of time before someone is killed!
They are a fun novelty that is not suitable for the busy streets of a metropolis. Put them in the parks where they belong!
- Steve, london
Caroline, you talk rubbish. Tell me the last time a black cab killed someone!
Stop shouting your mouth off about things you know nothing about.
It's people like you that make this city the mess it is!
- Dizzy, London
Rickshaws are great, it's a fun way to see London, the cyclists are invariably polite and friendly unlike many black cab drivers. Some of the worst driving in London is exhibited by black cab drivers- that's why they kill and injure so many people compared to far safer statistics for rickshaws.
- Caroline Shaw, Bromley
I always warn visiting friends against using these rickshaws, since some friends visiting from Italy were charge £7 each, (£28) to go from Aldwych to Charing Cross Station. Not sure, but I would imagine it would cost about £4 in a black cab.
- Ted, London
Black Cabs are a disgraceful monopoly. They should not be called 'public transport' as they are owner-operated businesses; nor should they have any rights on the highway (i.e. access to bus lanes) over and above any other legal road users.
- Philip, London, England
These pedicabs are an embarressmnet for London; the sooner they are off the road the better. A friend was over from America recently, and was nearly knocked over by one that suddenly took off. She wasn't impressed, particuarly when I pointed out that they are not insured for passengers or the pedestrians they hit.
- Madge, Battersea
Why do people persist in thinking that Black Cab Drivers have a monopoly? ANYONE can become a Black Cab Driver provided they fulfil certain basic criteria to do with health and criminal records. Of course if you don't fulfil these criteria or are too lazy to spend 3 years doing the Knowledge, then you can always become a rickshaw driver.
- Chris, Brighton, England.
Last time I tried to get a black cab in the West End I only had a small amount of cash on me, so asked how much it would cost to get from A to B: the driver yelled over his shoulder 'IF YOU HAVE TO ASK YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT!' and nearly ran over my foot accelerating away. Clearly there's room for competition: it might be appropriate for all modes of bicycle transport to be licensed (as they are, for example, in Switzerland) given their disregard for pedestrians, but that's an entirely seperate matter to stopping the Black Cab bunch regaining their monopoly.
- Roz, France
Never heard of anyone getting injured in a rickshaw. Perhaps someone can give one example where this has occurred, other than "they look a bit wobbly".
One thing is clear whatever the situation with passengers - rickshaws are a lot safer for pedestrians and fellow road users than motorised taxis, and a lot more environmentally friendly.
- Reg, London
This is disappointing and a touch of sour grapes where the black drivers are concerned.
There is a lot going for the pedicab project and should be encouraged. For staters they are far more environmentally friendly.
- Tony Islander, Herts
