A London MP is petitioning TfL to ban loud music from pedicabs, citing disturbances to residents at late hours.
The “Stop the Noise” petition asks for a ban. It asks Transport for London (TfL) to act, allowing Londoners to share their views until March 7. TfL is currently working on new rules for pedicabs.
TfL’s plan includes limits on music volume and possible restrictions on when music can play, although the limits are not yet clear. Blake says people have dealt with this noise for too long.
Blake argues the noise from pedicabs bothers many people from the West End to Westminster, hurting peace and quiet. She emphasizes it bothers residents, families, and businesses.
Blake feels the noise is avoidable, disrupting life, hurting sleep, and lowering the quality of life. She told TfL to remove amplified noise and wants public support to ensure action.
A resident spoke about how loud pedicabs often wake her family, blasting music near Oxford Street stores at 2 or 3 AM. The noise echoes off buildings, bothering nearby residential streets like Balderton and Binney, making it hard for people to rest easily.
The resident says it is hard to concentrate, especially as some family members work from home. Pedicab drivers compete for business using loud systems to attract riders, often parking by her son’s window, talking and playing music until 3 AM.
She describes the situation as tiring and causing stress with constant music followed by quiet moments. Sometimes they blast loud bass music, which really bothers her family.
TfL will consider rules about driver behavior, including loud music and noise, as well as restrictions for specific times. Helen Chapman from TfL acknowledges pedicabs are not properly regulated and affect road safety in London. She adds riders can also face unfair pricing.
Chapman encourages everyone to share their thoughts to help create good changes. She looks forward to working with the pedicab industry to ensure safety and fairness. They want to require drivers to wear vests, and insurance and a driving test are being discussed.
TfL asks if fares should depend on time, considering distance and zones as factors and whether drivers may set fares beforehand. Other ideas involve access to bus lanes, potentially cycle lanes too, and creating special pedicab stops.
Tim Lord, from the Soho Society, wants a ban, stating not regulating was a bad choice, citing risks like a woman’s death. He wants TfL to act faster and believes the mayor is responsible if anyone is hurt during the delay.