Rickshaws could be launched in Bury St Edmunds as eco-friendly taxis
A group called EcoCarriers is trying to secure a licence to use the pedal-powered vehicles as taxis
Last updated 24th Jan 2023
A social enterprise hoping to licence rickshaws as taxi alternatives put their proposals to a West Suffolk Council meeting yesterday.
EcoCarriers Bury St Edmunds’ representatives were met with mixed responses at the licensing and regulatory committee meeting, with some councillors praising the idea’s environmental benefit and others “terrified” by safety implications.
Libby Ranzetta, director at EcoCarriers, said: “We created the social enterprise to promote, facilitate and encourage people to use their bicycles in Bury and the surrounding areas rather than using their cars.
“We set out to show you can do all sorts of things with a bike. For a year, we’ve been using rickshaws for deliveries for businesses in town and to transport children to school.
“It seems a natural progression for us to get a couple of pedicabs and to charge as a cycle taxi service.
“We’re not for profit. We’re not interested in making money, and what we make is invested in meeting our social aims.
“Our business model is a community benefit society, so we’re owned by our members. We need to take our pedicab idea to our members and raise the finance.”
The organisation plans to use two rickshaws and operate in Bury St Edmunds and the surrounding villages.
Ms Ranzetta is also the founder and chair of Bury St Edmunds Rickshaw, a separate organisation to help people experiencing social isolation and loneliness to get out and about.
West Suffolk Council’s existing hackney carriage and private hire handbook does not mention pedal-powered vehicles, so charged rickshaw services are not permitted. Councillors could review and change this.
Cllr Beccy Hopfensperger said: “I thoroughly support this idea, and it ties in well with the council’s net zero policy.”
The council’s aim to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2030 is included in its environmental statement 2021–2022.
Cllr Sara Mildmay-White said: “It terrifies me. I think it beggar’s belief.
“It’s 60 miles per hour on the roads out of villages.
“Are you seriously saying you can cycle two people in a cab like this on the A14 to Rougham or to the top of Rougham Hill, which gets caked in mud?
“Lady Miriam Hubbard who lived here and got around in her mobility scooter was run over twice and died the second time.
“I don’t want to be defeatist, but it makes me really nervous.”
Lady Miriam Hubbard, charity worker best known for her work with St Nicholas’ Hospice, died in 1996.
Ms Ranzetta made the point that other towns in the UK have licensed rickshaws operating as taxis and that the enterprise is committed to operating at the highest standard – including by ensuring all operators have training, if that is deemed necessary.
Councillors suggested EcoCarriers draw up a business case and undertake a risk assessment to help them decide whether to alter their policies.
Ms Ranzetta said after the meeting: “We realise that licensing pedicabs is still fairly uncommon and it’s a complex area.
“We were pleased to have the opportunity to discuss it with councillors, and they asked a lot of good questions.
“We will now work up our business case, address the concerns that were expressed last night, and work with licencing officers to see what can be done about amending the council’s taxi licencing to include pedicabs.
“West Suffolk Council has ambitious net zero targets. We firmly believe that active travel, including pedal-powered taxi journeys, should be part of the way to achieve them.”