The Law Commission for England and Wales have suggested that bicycle rickshaws and stretch limousines could be licensed under new rules to improve road safety. They have also said that clearer rules on the licensing of taxis and mini-cabs could be introduced.
Under the reforms, limousines, motorcycle taxis and bicycle rickshaws or pedicabs as they are often known could be treated the same as taxis when it comes to safety and driver training requirements.
There could also be a new “peak time” licence introduced for taxis and the removal of exemptions for licensing for wedding and funeral cars. On the plus side for taxi operators there would be a removal of the limit of taxi numbers from local authorities and operators would be allowed to take bookings from outside of their own local area.
The commissioner responsible for the review, Frances Patterson QC said that the changes would “streamline and improve taxi and private-hire legislation”.
There has been much criticism of the current law on taxis and private-hire vehicles as it is seen to be “fragmented, complex, and out of touch with 21st century life” according to the consultation document.
The review follows calls from peers to introduce licensing for pedicabs due to the potential hazard they cause to other road users.
Conservative peer, Baroness Gardner claimed that the tricycles which can carry up to three passengers can pose “quite a danger” and that they sometimes “cut right across traffic” in London.