Several people have been in touch to ask questions about Nickie's Pedicabs Bill. Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions.
What is a Bill?
A Bill is a proposal for a new law, or a proposal to change an existing law, presented for debate before Parliament. A Bill can start in the House of Commons or the House of Lords but must be approved by both Houses before becoming an Act – and a new law.
Can I read the contents of the Bill?
Yes. Parliament publishes all Bills online after their presentation. You can read Nickie's Pedicabs Bill, or to give it its formal title Pedicabs (London) Bill 2019-21, in full here.
I see that your Pedicabs Bill has passed its first reading in the House of Commons. What happens next?
As mentioned above, Nickie's Pedicabs Bill now progresses to a Second reading in the House of Commons. Currently, this is due to happen on July 10th. Normally at the Second reading, the main principles of the bill will be debated by MPs before a vote is taken on the Bill; however as my Bill is far down the private members list it is unlikely there will be time for debate at this stage. Hopefully, the Bill will be ‘nodded through’ without debate.
If you would to find out more about how Bills become laws, Parliament has a detailed step by step guide online of the whole process starting here.
Is this the final version of the Bill?
The version available online is the Bill in its original form. If it passes the house at 2nd reading it will then go into committee. This involves a detailed line-by-line analysis of the Bill where Members of Parliament can offer amendments and make modifications. Nickie is in ongoing discussion with the Department for Transport, the Mayor & TfL, local councils and other interested parties with regards to the text of the Bill.
I have read your Bill and am concerned that it does not address excessive noise from pedicab drivers cause by playing loud music, often late at night. How will the Bill tackle this problem?
The new Bill will give Transport for London (TfL) the power to regulate the use of pedicabs. So, TfL would be able licence pedicabs drivers, like taxi and private hire drivers are currently. Conditions could be placed on the granting of a licence which would ban drivers from playing loud music. I will be pushing for this to be the case.
Why do you not want to ban pedicabs outright?
There are positives to pedicabs presence on our streets. A growing number of commercial pedicabs are being used by firms for deliveries instead of diesel or petrol fuelled vehicles. Of course, this has a positive effect on our air quality. Pedicabs also offer tourists an entertaining trip as part of their visit. Providing they are operated responsibly, with insurance and checks on both drivers and vehicles, I think this should continue.
Hopefully, this answers any questions that you have about the Bill. If you have any more please do not hesitate to get in touch with Nickie.
