Rickshaws head for a rough ride

For some, rickshaws add a dash of the exotic and a bit of fun to the capital.

But for others they are a menace, causing traffic chaos and snarl-ups. And the controversy looks set to continue with plans to introduce tough rules to license and train rickshaw drivers.

Many rickshaw bosses have welcomed the proposals from Transport for London to regulate the industry.

They say it will mean they will finally be taken seriously and ensure strict guidelines on the vehicles and their drivers.

But taxi drivers - the main opponents of rickshaws - say it is not enough as they are unfair competition and should be banned.

Under the proposed new licensing regime, drivers will have to register for training and undergo criminal records checks. The TfL rules will also ban them from blocking narrow-side streets and allow traffic wardens to ticket illegally parked rickshaws.

Graeme Rivett, co-founder of London Pedicabs, described the current situation as "ludicrous".

"We want to be taken seriously so we welcome regulation with open arms," he said. "A lot of people are telling us what we can't do, but regulation will tell us what we can do. We want ranks and we want to ensure everyone is insured and has an MoT.

"At the moment there's nothing to stop anyone buying a rickshaw and setting up. We want to eliminate the cowboy element."

Chris Smallwood, trustee of Bugbugs, London's biggest operator, welcomed the new rules in theory but feared they were a back-door attempt to drive them out of business. "We have been trying to get regulated for five years. But their plans sound like a no-win situation for us," he said.

"They want to keep us out of bus lanes and reclassify us as motor vehicles and charge fees. They will try and make it impossible for us to continue." But taxi drivers, who lost a High Court bid to outlaw the rickshaws, claimed the TfL plan was unworkable.

"Rickshaws are driven by transient people who are not interested in being licensed," said Steve McNamara of the Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association. "It is never going to work. The only option is to ban them.

"The reason I don't rob and rape you in my cab is because I love my licence. It's my career. But if you threaten to take away a rickshaw driver's licence he will just get a job in McDonald's."

He claimed rickshaws were dangerous and "the biggest con in London".