Latest news with #LicensedTaxiDriversAssociation
Telegraph
09-07-2025
- Telegraph
Cycle rickshaws banned to tackle over-tourism in Florence
Florence has become the first city in Europe to ban bicycle rickshaws to tackle over-tourism. Officials said transporting tourists in the three-wheeled 'atypical vehicles', or in golf carts, would no longer be permitted in the Tuscan capital's Unesco-listed centre. The historic city is struggling to manage hordes of tourists in crowded areas. Andrea Giorgio, the city's transport chief, said: 'We have decided to intervene because the situation has become unsustainable, with hundreds of golf carts stopping in every street and in every piazza in the historic centre.' Furious motorists called for a crackdown after 15 million tourists flocked to Florence last year, making it nearly impossible to drive in the streets, and forcing many of the city's 367,000 residents to leave. Jacopo Vicini, the city councillor for tourism, said: 'We urgently needed to limit golf carts, which have increased in parallel with tourism. 'There are about 150 now and they line up in Piazza Duomo where the drivers tout for business.' A small fleet of 24 white electric carts, each with an eight-person capacity, will be given exemption to drive along a fixed route, Mr Vicini added. In London, there has been public support for controlling the use of pedicabs, as cycle rickshaws are sometimes known. Steve McNamara, general secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association, said ' rip-off rickshaw riders ' gave London a bad name and called for garishly decorated and extortionately priced rickshaws to be banned. Last month, in a consultation by Transport for London, more than 95 per cent of the 7,700 responders said pedicab drivers should be insured and have their music volume kept in check. More than 75 per cent said they felt unsafe when using a pedicab in the British capital. The ban in Florence is the latest in a series of efforts to tackle over-tourism. It has also cracked down on short-term rental flats, which account for a third of all properties in the city centre and cause prices to surge. The city sent out police to remove 400 eyesore keysafes fixed to railings and lamp posts, which allowed tourists to enter rented flats without meeting the owners. In November, local officials also banned amplifiers and loudspeakers used by tour guides. They claimed that swarms of visitors to the historic centre were 'weakening its heritage value and seeing its overall liveability compromised'.
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Speed limit of 20mph 'reduced crashes and deaths', TfL says
The introduction of 20mph limits on London's roads reduced the number of deaths and injuries between 1989 and 2013, according to a report commissioned by Transport for London (TfL).Across all 157 schemes on borough roads, there was a 34% decrease in fatal or serious casualties - although other safety features in the control group indicated it would have fallen by 15% and cycling commissioner Will Norman said the new analysis was "compelling" and "shows clearly that lowering speeds is saving lives."But Callum McGoldrick, from the TaxPayers' Alliance, said blanket 20mph zones "risk punishing responsible drivers without delivering clear value for money." Last year, the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association branded the widening of 20mph zones "devastating" to black cab London, 5% of roads are operated by TfL with the rest managed by London's 32 boroughs and the City of 20mph speed limit was introduced across the central London Congestion Charging zone in March 2020 although more than half of boroughs now implement the same policy, TfL said. 'Clog up roads' The authors of the report recognised the implementation of 20mph schemes "was not the sole cause of improved road safety in this time".The analysis also showed a 35% reduction of all collisions - from 2,560 to 1,715 - although the control group showed a drop of 12% would have occurred fell from 15 to nine and the number of children killed dropped from four to change was observed in motorcycle-related fatalities,. Mr McGoldrick added: "Slowing down traffic across entire areas can clog up roads, delay journeys and hit productivity, especially for tradespeople and small businesses."Rather than heavy-handed restrictions, councils and TfL should focus on targeted measures at accident blackspots, not treating every motorist like a menace."Mr Norman added: "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."
