Have your say on licensing of pedicabs

Lancaster City Council is asking for the views of members of the public to help it make a decision on the licensing of pedicabs in the district.

Sometimes referred to as rickshaws, pedicabs are small three wheeled vehicles with a seat, pedals, and handlebars for the rider and usually a hooded cab for passengers.

At a meeting of the Licensing Committee on June 9, councillors considered an application to licence a pedicab as a hackney carriage vehicle and agreed to the licensing of such vehicles in principle.

The business model presented by the applicant suggested use of pedicabs along the pedestrianised area of the Promenade in Morecambe, between the Midland Hotel and Whinnysty Lane, Heysham (1.7miles) and the public highway between the Midland Hotel and Happy Mount Park (1.8miles).

Due to the number of users of the promenade, including cyclists, walkers, families with pushchairs and dog walkers, councillors have now requested a consultation be undertaken to obtain the views of the public on the operation of pedicabs along this route.

Public feedback will help the council consider the minimum standards required for the rider and vehicle, including DBS requirements, rider competency, medical fitness, safety requirements and standards, testing, and maintenance.

Councillor Colin Hartley, chair of the council’s Licensing Committee, said:  “The licensing of pedicabs is a complex matter with lots of factors to consider with public safety being at the heart of any decision we make going forward.  If we are to licence this mode of transport in this area, we need to ensure we have robust requirements and standards in place, including operators and their riders being subject to a code of conduct.

“Feedback from stakeholders and members of the public are therefore of great importance to us and will play an integral part in any further consideration we give to this.”

Anyone wishing to offer their views on the licensing of pedicabs for use in the specified areas should email licensing@lancaster.gov.uk with the words ‘consultation response’ in the subject heading.

Deadline for responses is Monday August 1.

The results of this consultation which will also involve feedback from other stakeholders in the district will be presented to members of the Licensing Committee for their consideration at a future meeting.

Last updated: 05 July 2022