Ban rickshaws while Olympics are on, say MPs

Rickshaws should be banned from London’s streets during the Olympics to protect the public and cut traffic, MPs said today.

John McDonnell said unlicensed pedicabs, which mainly operate in the West End, were a “danger” and risked getting in the way of the emergency services during the Games.

The Hayes and Harlington MP has tabled a Commons motion listing a series of concerns, noting that rickshaw drivers do not have criminal record or police checks, are uninsured and can rip off passengers because there is no set fare structure. It also expressed “shock” that the vehicles do not have to pass crash tests.

“This House notes with concern the danger posed by pedicabs to the general public and visitors to London during the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” the motion reads. “Banning the operation of pedicabs during the Olympics is necessary to reduce congestion and in particular its impact on the emergency services.”

Fellow Labour MP Ronnie Campbell has also put his name to the motion.

Rickshaws were branded a “dangerous menace” during the mayoral election campaign, with Boris Johnson, Ken Livingstone and Brian Paddick saying the Government should legislate to remove them from the West End.

Mark Field, the Conservative MP for Cities of London and Westminster who has campaigned for them to be licensed, said it was a “near miracle” nobody had been killed yet in an accident. He said he was “sympathetic” to an Olympics ban. Estimates in 2008 put the number of rickshaws in London at 900 and rising.

Westminster council welcomed Mr McDonnell’s move but called for regulation and licensing as well. Ed Argar, Westminster’s cabinet member for city management and transport, said: “Just a few pedicabs blocking the road or travelling carelessly can have a huge effect on traffic congestion.

“We want the industry to improve standards, and have been working with pedicab operators and police and will take tough enforcement action where necessary.” Transport for London said it was responsible for licensed vehicles such as taxis and minicabs, and had no powers to tackle pedicabs.