I am surprised that there has been no comment on the news that a number of rickshaw/pedicab drivers were arrested this week.
I realise that opinion is divided on this subject, just as on any other, but in my view this "underworld industry" is an indication of just how much of a blind eye has been turned for years on semi illegal activities in London.
I can see a case for having them in tourist spots, providing that the riders are licensed, insured, and pay tax on their earnings, but at the moment anyone can operate a pedicab, charge what they think the punter will stand for and after paying the proprietor rent, pocket their takings and probably any benefits that they can successfully claim too.
In the summer they park en masse outside Hamleys, Regent St., completely blocking the bus lane while ringing their bells and urging parents to give their children a ride down the street.
I'm no killjoy, but to me this is in the same bracket as the ice cream and burger vans that are ignored when they park on red routes and blithely ply their trade while buses have to try and get past them while the police look the other way.

A couple of my daughters friends took a rickshaw from the West End to Maida Vale, they'd had dinner and wine, so were perhaps a little tipsy, they were charged £200.........they paid up, but its outrageous.

It is so tempting to revert to my basic upbringing and say, more **** them, but that doesn't cover all the variables here.
(A) They had had a drink.
So what, I doubt if a black cab would have charged them more than £20.00 - £22.00 depending on exactly where they were in the west end and where they went to in Maida Vale.
(B) Did they ask the price before they got in?
Extremely doubtful at £200.00.
(C) What were their alternatives when asked for the £200.00?
Call the police? Ask to be taken to the nearest police station? The cretin would have obliged there, I'm sure!
Two tipsy females probably did not see £200.00 as so totally outrageous as someone sober would have, so it's back to my first reaction I'm afraid.

I dont think anyone would expect to be taken advantage of in this manner, the two passengers in question had been celebrating something special, and to be robbed in this fashion is unacceptable, almost a case of financial rape. As you say, a black cab or registered mini cab would never act in this way.

The rickshaw driver had it seems been more than happy to suggest he could make the journey, thus encouraging them, possibly against their better judgement.

Shocking tale this, almost incredible.
An acquaintance told me recently that while out with five friends, they wanted to go from Shepherds Bush to Holloway Road.
They phoned a local mini cab company for two cars but only one arrived, so after calling again and being told that they were busy they cancelled and hailed a black cab.
The black cab fare was £24 and it arrived at the destination some ten minutes ahead of the mini cab which charged £37.
Moral of the story?
You get what you pay for.

> A couple of my daughters friends took a rickshaw from
> the West End to Maida Vale, they'd had dinner and
> wine, so were perhaps a little tipsy, they were
> charged £200.........they paid up, but its
> outrageous.

I have to say, they were literally taken for a ride, but it was pretty stupid just to jump into one of those rickshaws without confirming a price first! These people obviously haven't lived in London for long.

I would never, ever get into a minicab or rickshaw without confirming exactly what I was paying first, and usually I wouldn't dream of paying the first price - halve it first and then pay perhaps 50-75% of the 1st quote. Minicab pricing is a law unto itself and frequently higher than black cab prices. Anyone who has lived in London for a year or 2 would know that.

Fair play to the rickshaw rider though. Good work out riding from the West End to Maida Vale with a couple of extra people in the back and the weight of the rickshaw itself. I'm a regular and strong cyclist but that guy must have thighs of steel. these rickshaw riders usually literally only take you a couple of streets.

With regard to the rickshaw riders and ripping people off. I drive coaches for a living, often around London (I know, you probably think "another thing that should be banned". These rickshaw riders are an absolute menace and I'm surprised that nobody has been seriously hurt or even killed they way they ride them. A list of their unlawful riding goes something like this.
1. No lights at night
2. Cutting in and out of traffic completely at random
3. No signalling when they are changing direction
4.They are not insured or licensed to carry fair paying passengers as are Mini Cabs, London Cabs and Bus/coaches
5.Riding down one way streets the wrong way
6. Blocking bus/taxi lanes
7. Riding on pavements
8. Ignoring red lights
The list goes on. It is about time that someone takes these parasites off the streets. Or making them take a test and getting licensed and insured as the rest of the Public Carriage vehicles have to be.
GET THEM OFF THE STREETS AND STOP THIS SCUM