King Charles Passes Pedicabs Regulation Bill in London

King Charles of the United Kingdom has given his approval for a new law aimed at cracking down on the ‘scourge’ of rogue pedicab operators in London.

The Pedicabs (London) Bill, which just received Royal Assent, will now become an official Act of Parliament, marking a significant milestone in regulating pedicabs in the capital city.

Under the newly approved legislation, Transport for London (TfL) will have the authority to oversee and control pedicab operations in London for the first time.

This means that pedicab drivers will no longer be able to exploit tourists by charging exorbitant fees, as TfL will now have the power to set and regulate fares, conduct background checks on drivers, and establish safety standards for operators and their vehicles.

The Pedicabs (London) Bill was championed by Conservative MP Nickie Aiken, who has been advocating for years to clamp down on dishonest pedicab drivers, particularly in the bustling district of the West End.

Originally, a similar pedicab bill was set to be included in the proposed Transport Bill under the leadership of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. However, it encountered obstacles and was sidelined when Johnson resigned from his position.

The bill underwent the legislative process in the House of Lords before receiving the backing of Members of Parliament at the end of March, culminating in its recent Royal Assent.