Trixi.com
11-02-2005, 12:52
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London:
Rickshaw report recommends regulation
By Danny Brierley
Stricter controls to stop rickshaws blocking streets in the West End are needed but they should not be banned, a new report says.
After first appearing in Soho about five years ago London's 250 rickshaws are unregulated and their drivers unregistered.
That means if they are involved in a collision or other accident identifying who the carriage belongs to and who was driving can be difficult.
London Assembly members said tighter controls should be brought in to stop them clogging streets and delaying other vehicles. However, the report adds that making it an offence to hail a rickshaw should be resisted.
The report by the Assembly's Transport Committee said: "Rickshaws provide a welcome and colourful, albeit, minor addition to the streetscape of the West End. And that's how it should stay."
The report argues that excluding rickshaws from bus lanes would force them out of the relative safety of the kerb-side lane and worsen hold-ups and congestion in normal traffic.
Westminster Council created dedicated ranks for rickshaws where riders can more easily and legally compete for hire.
The rickshaw report's author, Murad Qureshi, added: "I am acutely aware of the problems that pedicabs do and could potentially bring to the streets of the capital but I do not think they should be banned outright.
"They provide a useful short distant off-peak service ferrying tourists and Londoners between various stops within London's late night economy.
"Rickshaws can cause a minor nuisance, whether by blocking access from theatres or holding up the traffic. But the introduction of regulation, while welcome, should be relatively light so that Londoners and visitors to the capital can continue to be ridden around the West End on these colourful new additions to our streets."
11th of February, 2005
London:
Rickshaw report recommends regulation
By Danny Brierley
Stricter controls to stop rickshaws blocking streets in the West End are needed but they should not be banned, a new report says.
After first appearing in Soho about five years ago London's 250 rickshaws are unregulated and their drivers unregistered.
That means if they are involved in a collision or other accident identifying who the carriage belongs to and who was driving can be difficult.
London Assembly members said tighter controls should be brought in to stop them clogging streets and delaying other vehicles. However, the report adds that making it an offence to hail a rickshaw should be resisted.
The report by the Assembly's Transport Committee said: "Rickshaws provide a welcome and colourful, albeit, minor addition to the streetscape of the West End. And that's how it should stay."
The report argues that excluding rickshaws from bus lanes would force them out of the relative safety of the kerb-side lane and worsen hold-ups and congestion in normal traffic.
Westminster Council created dedicated ranks for rickshaws where riders can more easily and legally compete for hire.
The rickshaw report's author, Murad Qureshi, added: "I am acutely aware of the problems that pedicabs do and could potentially bring to the streets of the capital but I do not think they should be banned outright.
"They provide a useful short distant off-peak service ferrying tourists and Londoners between various stops within London's late night economy.
"Rickshaws can cause a minor nuisance, whether by blocking access from theatres or holding up the traffic. But the introduction of regulation, while welcome, should be relatively light so that Londoners and visitors to the capital can continue to be ridden around the West End on these colourful new additions to our streets."
11th of February, 2005