Latest news with #WillNorman
BBC News
02-08-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Free rides offered on Santander Cycles on Sundays in August
Londoners are being offered free unlimited 60-minute rides on Santander Cycles during Sundays in August, to celebrate Transport for London's (TfL) Cycle Cycle Sundays scheme was created to encourage those new to cycling to give it a go, with beginner-friendly routes, leisure ride routes and cycle training tips provided, according to include rides around Hampstead Heath and Primrose Hill, Hyde Park and Notting Hill, Tower Hamlets and scheme begins on 3 August with free day passes available via the TfL website, which can be redeemed from the app, website or from one of the docking stations available across London. Fitness apps Strava and Komoot have partnered with TfL to help cyclists track and record their activities with routes across the will be able to see the route map in real time with directions being provided. They will also be able track the route length and see its difficulty level, elevation levels and how busy the road is. Santander e-bikes must be hired via the Santander Cycles app or with a membership key and are only available to registered members, TfL added. Rides exceeding 60 minutes will incur additional charges of £1.65 for each additional 60 minutes for pedal bikes and £3 for each additional 60 minutes for an Norman, London's walking and cycling commissioner, said: "Cycling can be for everyone and it really is the best way to explore London this summer, with more than 410km of cycling routes available for both beginners and experienced riders."David Eddington, from TfL, said: "Cycling is not only brilliant for your physical and mental health but also is a great way of getting around and exploring London. "Whether you have never been on a bike, or are a regular user, we look forward to seeing many people claiming their free Santander cycle every Sunday in August."
Time Out
27-06-2025
- Time Out
TfL just got one step closer to regulating loud and overpriced pedicabs
Love them or hate them, it's hard to miss the furry hot pink, neon flashing, eighties-pop blasting vehicles that roam around central London. Pedicabs are the only unregulated mode of transport in the city and, as a result, have been getting away with charging extortionate fares and playing music at disruptive volumes. But things could soon change. TfL began its mission to start regulating the rickshaws back in November 2023. In March last year, the Pedicab (London) Bill was passed, giving TfL the power to begin its clampdown. Now, it has said that it's going forward with its plan to crack down on pedicabs in the city, following a consultation that showed overwhelming public support. After collecting more than 7,600 responses, the consultation found that 75 percent of people feel unsafe when using a pedicab in London, 95 percent agree that drivers should be required to pass UK criminal background checks, 96 percent agree that their music should be controlled and 85 percent said fares were too expensive. TfL's proposed restrictions included drivers needing appropriate insurance, having to demonstrate that they understand their role and responsibilities, requiring a one-year pedicab driver's license, needing to meet a set of safety standards (such as criminal background checks) and regular vehicle inspections. Licensing requirements could also involve driver conduct, potentially restricting them playing loud music. Those proposals will now be reviewed with the results of consultation in mind and will go through another consultation with people within the pedicab industry later in the year. Will Norman, London's walking and cycling commissioner, said: 'Pedicabs should be a fun and sustainable way to explore what our city has to offer, but without regulation some drivers are behaving unsafely or anti-socially and charging extortionate prices. 'The Mayor and I have always been clear that regulation is needed to ensure pedicabs can operate safely in London, and this report shows that Londoners agree. We're looking forward to pressing on with next steps and further consultation, with a view to introducing regulation next year, as we build a fairer and safer London for everyone.' The full consultation report can be found here. If everything goes TfL's way, regulations could come into force next year. London's pedicabs on Time Out The fur-covered, music-blasting pedicabs and rickshaws have been a chaotic trait of central London's streets for years. Time Out covered the first attempts to curb them back in 2022, and took a ride in one ourselves, which you can read all about here.
BBC News
26-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Rules for London's pedicabs receives overwhelming support
The regulation of pedicabs has jumped another hurdle after a consultation found "overwhelming support" among respondents for bringing in the rules, Transport for London (TfL) capital's transport body said the rickshaw-style bikes remained the city's only form of unregulated public Norman, London's walking and cycling commissioner, said that while they were a "fun and sustainable" way to travel, some pedicab drivers were "behaving unsafely or anti-socially and charging extortionate prices".TfL said it would continue to develop the regulations which could include licences and insurance but the London Pedicab Welfare Association said this could be "burdensome". Under the Pedicabs (London) Act introduced by government last year, TfL now has the power to enforce rules and the other findings from the consultation, which had 7,500 responses, 95% agreed that pedicab drivers should be required to pass UK criminal background checks, bringing them into line with taxi and private hire vehicle music and other audio from pedicabs, 96% of respondents felt it should be controlled. More than 2,400 comments in response to the consultation were about music in the the 7,699 respondents, 477 (7%) said they were pedicab users. Of those, three quarters said they had felt unsafe when riding most popular reasons listed for using pedicabs was to get to or from a bar, sightseeing and travelling to or from a theatre. Helen Chapman, TfL's director of licensing and regulation, said: "Pedicabs can provide a unique and green way to see the capital. However, pedicabs have an impact on the safety of the road network and are currently unregulated." 'Challenges' for drivers The consultation received responses from 25 people who said they were pedicab drivers, the majority of whom have done so for two years or more. The London Pedicab Welfare Association (LWPA), which submitted a written response to the consultation, said it welcomed regulations as long as they were fair."The decision by TfL to mandate a UK driving licence for pedicab drivers has been met with mixed reactions," their response said. "While the intention behind this requirement is to ensure the safety of passengers and regulate the industry, it has created challenges for pedicab drivers who do not possess a driving licence."The LWPA said the requirement could be "burdensome and time-consuming, potentially impacting their ability to operate" in a highly seasonal market. Mr Norman said: "We are using the responses and comments provided to ensure that the changes work for everyone."
Metro
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- Metro
Another e-bike brand is set to launch in London this summer
A new e-bike brand is launching in London this summer, promising not to 'add to the problem' around e-bike parking. Whether you love them or hate them, e-bikes are here to stay,and you will be hard pressed to find a street in central London without a single e-bike in sight. Soon there will be more of them after ride-hailing app Bolt revealed it will launch e-bikes in London soon. They will be available on the same app as its cars when the e-bikes launch in August, the taxi app said. E-bikes have become controversial in London after reports of blocked pavements and erratic riding. The capital already boasts 50,000 e-bikes, Bolt said. The company said its fleet will be different Lime and Forest bikes as riders can opt for distance-based pricing instead of being charged by time. This will make rides 'safer as people don't feel they need to rush from A to B to save money,' according to Bolt. Bolt said it will ensure responsible parking by educating users, with AI and enforcement. People who don't park correctly, 'will be fined,' the operator said. 'Users will also have a score that will go up or down depending on how well they park,' it said. The operator admitted there is a 'problem' in London around e-bike parking. 'Bolt's AI powered parking system and geofencing will ensure users cannot park outside mandatory parking zones. The Bolt app will also direct users to the nearest available parking spot, and if they have not parked appropriately, they will be provided with relevant instructions. 'These measures aim to keep pavements clear and ensure Bolt contributes positively to the urban landscape, and doesn't add to the problem.' Bolt's testing shows that users charged on distance ride 9% slower than those charged on time, which reduces 'the risk of falls and collisions.' It vowed the new pricing model will reduce collisions by 90%. Will Norman, London's Walking and Cycling Commissioner, said: 'I'm pleased Bolt will be launching e-bikes in our city this summer, providing Londoners with even more sustainable and convenient ways to get around. 'Integrating e-bikes with ride hailing in a single app will give people more choice and flexibility when choosing how to get around, strengthening our network and helping to reduce congestion. 'I'm also pleased to see that Bolt will be prioritising responsible parking and safety, to ensure the scheme works for everyone. The Mayor and I welcome Government plans to give cities powers to better manage dockless e-bike schemes. It is vital improved safety sits at the heart of any future regulation so these schemes work well for everyone and the industry thrives.' Some London boroughs have taken action to target irresponsible e-bike parking, which has caused grey hairs to disabled people and pedestrians across the capital. More Trending More painted parking bays and docking areas have been introduced in response to the backlash. TfL said it has issued hundreds of fines to Lime and Forest after abandoned bikes. London Mayor Sadiq Khan told the London Assembly last week that TfL began issuing warning letters to the operators, and as of May 15, it had sent out 190 such letters. By mid-May, it had issued 333 FPNs to Lime and Forest, each fine worth £100 or reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Dad left 'in misery' after ceiling collapses three times in London home MORE: Traffic delays on M25 after multi-vehicle crash MORE: Mum suing Cineworld after horror film trailers played before Lilo & Stitch
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
20mph limits in London 'reduce road casualties by a third' says TfL
Research by Transport for London (TfL) has revealed that 20mph speed limits have significantly reduced road casualties in the capital. The study, which examined more than 150 speed limit schemes implemented between 1989 and 2013, found a 34 per cent reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured on borough roads. This research is part of TfL's efforts to achieve the Mayor's Vision Zero goal, which aims to eliminate deaths and serious injuries from London's transport network. The analysis also showed a 40 per cent reduction in the number of people killed, a 75 per cent reduction in the number of children killed, and a 35 per cent reduction in collisions on borough roads. TfL's chief safety health and environment officer, Lilli Matson, said: "It is brilliant to see the long-term analysis in this report. "It contains hugely important findings which show the difference that 20mph speed limits have made to road safety in London, and we are able to fully understand the impact of road safety measures across the city over a longer time span. "Lower speed limits save lives. "We're committed to eliminating unsafe speeds across London, and the analysis in this report reinforces our approach. "No death or serious injury on London's streets is acceptable or inevitable, and we are determined that London continues to be at the forefront of making real and lasting change." The report acknowledges other road safety improvement measures implemented between 1989 and 2013, but provides compelling evidence that 20mph schemes reduce the number of casualties regardless of all other road improvements. TfL's research also suggests that lower speed limits have not increased congestion. Walking and cycling commissioner, Will Norman, said: "This compelling new analysis shows clearly that lowering speeds is saving lives. "Every death or serious injury on our roads is one too many. "Slower speeds not only protect the most vulnerable, they also help create safer, more welcoming streets, and are a vital part of building a safer London for everyone. "The Mayor and I are proud that London is leading the way with bold, evidence-led action to reduce danger on our roads, and we will continue working to eliminate death and serious injury on the transport network as part of our Vision Zero goal." Since 2018, TfL has introduced more than 264km of 20mph speed limits, and over half of London's roads now have 20mph speed limits. TfL is committed to lowering speed limits across London, with plans to continue to roll out 20mph on its road network next year. Jeremy Leach from 20's Plenty for Us said: "Over the past 30 years, London's boroughs have pioneered the widespread use of 20mph speed limits, making streets feel safer and be safer for residents and visitors alike. "This latest research from TfL backs up other studies that show streets are safer with 20mph speed limits and more people able to walk, wheel and cycle and to be active. "We hope that the small number of London's boroughs that have yet to make widespread use of lower speed limits will not miss this chance to bring in 20mph limits on many of their streets and roads." Newham councillor Sarah Ruiz, cabinet member for environment, sustainable transport, children's services and education, said: "Reducing the speed of traffic on our roads is essential for making the borough safer for all our residents and encourages our residents to take up the many advantages of switching from cars to sustainable transport, like cycling or walking. "The statistics are clear, the 20 mile an hour limits are saving lives and serious injury and make it safer and more attractive to get about the borough."
