The Pedicabs (London) Bill is a government bill which would provide Transport for London with powers to regulate pedicabs, also known as cycle rickshaws, for example by introducing a licensing regime and standards for operators, drivers and their vehicles. The bill would extend to England and Wales, but only apply in England to pedicabs operated within Greater London. The bill was promised in the 2023 King’s Speech and was introduced into the House of Lords on 8 November 2023. It is due to receive its second reading on 22 November 2023.
Pedicabs (London) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 2 of 2023–24 (327 KB , PDF)
The 2023 King’s Speech included a commitment to introduce a bill to regulate unlicensed pedicabs in London. The Pedicabs (London) Bill [HL] was introduced into the House of Lords on 8 November 2023 and is due to receive its second reading on 22 November 2023.
Pedicabs, also known as cycle rickshaws, are not currently regulated in London due to a loophole in the legislation used to regulate taxis in the capital, the Metropolitan Public Carriage Act 1869. Outside London, where different legislation applies, pedicabs can be regulated as taxis in England and Wales. Concerns have been expressed for a number of years about potential issues with London pedicabs. As outlined in the explanatory notes to the bill:
The pedicab industry remains the only form of public transport in London that is unregulated […] companies operating pedicabs are not licensed; neither drivers nor their vehicles are licensed; there is no requirement for pedicab drivers to undergo criminal record or right to work checks; and there is no fare control. There are concerns that overcharging is common, particularly when pedicabs are hired by tourists, and that the current regime does not ensure the safety of either passengers or other road users.
The Pedicabs (London) Bill would provide Transport for London (TfL) with powers to regulate pedicabs, for example by introducing a licensing regime and standards for operators, drivers and their vehicles.
The government has previously said it would legislate in this area. There have also been several private member’s bills on the subject.
Pedicabs (London) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 2 of 2023–24 (327 KB , PDF)
The Automated Vehicles Bill would put into place measures announced in the 2023 King’s Speech to set up a legal framework to enable self-driving cars in the UK. It would establish a regulatory regime for authorising the vehicles, deal with criminal liability and marketing restrictions and allow for automated passenger services, among other things.
![Automated Vehicles Bill [HL]: HL Bill 1 of 2023–24](https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/content/uploads/sites/2/2020/01/Business-VIGs-568x426.jpg)
Powered light vehicles (PLVs) are a category of smaller, lighter vehicles, including mopeds and motorcycles. Zero emission PLVs can contribute to reducing congestion and air and noise pollution. The government consulted in 2022 on ending sales of new non-zero emission PLVs by 2035, but the industry argues this is unrealistic. It is not clear how the government’s decision to delay the date for ending sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans affects this proposal.
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