Rickshaws -- do you like them or hate them?

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

The National transport authority has issued a survey on rickshaws in Dublin seeking peoples opinions on them if you have used them or own one or more.

I have not used one but have filled out a form myself to comment on topics such as driving habits, safety and their fare system.

I would recommend as many people as possible take the survey , it only takes 5 minutes.

https://www.nationaltransport.ie/public-consultations/current/

DIRECT LINK TO SURVEY: https://www.research.net/r/rickshaw_consultation

monument

I hope you don't mind -- I've edited the thread title. It's about regulations for rickshaws in Ireland, not just Dublin.

Also: It's open to all regardless of if you've used one or not.

Jamie2k9

I have used them and yes they are handy on a night out but they have gotten out of control in recent years. Some of the operators have no respect for predestines and road traffic.

There needs to be some form or regulation and possibly a reduction in the numbers on the streets.

Victor

I'm neutral. I've only ever used one of the 'fleet' ones. I think they provide a service, but as they are carrying members of the public, they should have proportionate requirements, similar to those imposed on taxi / hackney services.

Skatedude

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

The National transport authority has issued a survey on rickshaws in Dublin seeking peoples opinions on them if you have used them or own one or more.

I have not used one but have filled out a form myself to comment on topics such as driving habits, safety and their fare system.

I would recommend as many people as possible take the survey , it only takes 5 minutes.

https://www.nationaltransport.ie/public-consultations/current/

DIRECT LINK TO SURVEY: https://www.research.net/r/rickshaw_consultation

"I have not used one but have filled out a form myself to comment on topics such as driving habits, safety and their fare system."

Er? But you just said you never used one?

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

Skatedude wrote: »

"I have not used one but have filled out a form myself to comment on topics such as driving habits, safety and their fare system."

Er? But you just said you never used one?

Yes this is true.

But as a large vehicle driver in Dublin city center and even as a pedestrian walking around Dublin city center (Dublin is only where I've come across them so I'm not forgetting other cities)
I have had many near misses with them which could've been very damaging for both vehicles and property and even possible human injury or worse (people generally don't cycle out in front of large coaches at the last second and ignore you and cycle away, they could easily be killed). I was nearly knocked over by one on Grafton street while walking one evening.

Their fare system is non existent by the looks of it and I can only imagine they make it up as they go along. I don't see a meter, company name or anything of the likes for the operator or driver of the rickshaw.

My opinion on it is if the NTA step in and licence the system correctly where we could see a fare structure, a licence system for them and somewhere to complain if we witness or are involved in them driving dangerously of the likes it would probably improve the situation, and I think it would reduce the amount of them on the road too.

Another point for me was vehicle safety. They look very home made to me as if they have just been stuck together so Im unsure of their safety.

Never the less as the Moderator pointed out after my post , it was shown the survey is for everyone.

coylemj

Thee used to be particularly aggressive rickshaw driver around Dun Laoghaire, used to see him on Saturday afternoons and you needed to get out of this guy's way if he was coming at you as he drove on the footpath whenever it suited him, total assh0le.

I was in Dublin city at nighttime for the first time in a while recently and spotted two rickshaws riving the wrong way along one way streets, one coming along Nassau St. towards Grafton St. from the bottom of Kildare St. and while I was standing at the bus stop outside the old Burlington Hotel, a rickshaw came from the direction of Donnybrook and took a short cut the wrong way up Sussex Road to get to the hotel.

endacl

Nice one. Takes about ten seconds and there's no limit to the amount of times you can go through and tick the box saying they should be prohibited.

OldNotWIse

if someone wants to do it, why not? I wouldn't use one myself as I'd feel bad being carted around.

I'd rather they improved regulations for horse drawn carriages, as the poor animals can't consent.

Presumably with regulation there will be a requirement for insurance etc. It probably wouldn't pay them in that instance? How much is a rickshaw journey?

Borderfox

Seen the bit on the news about them last night and had to laugh at the taxi driver saying they don't obey the rules of the road!! pot & kettle

Regulation needed both for the vehicles and drivers

Roadhawk

Just filled out the survey and left my tuppence worth. Down with rickshaws!

theteal

I didn't think the issue with the rickshaws was their driving habits - I thought it was more with how a lot of them supplement their income that was the issue

gizmo81

theteal wrote: »

I didn't think the issue with the rickshaws was their driving habits - I thought it was more with how a lot of them supplement their income that was the issue

Combination of issues really but definitely the drug selling seems widespread.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/good-clean-illegal-fun-a-night-in-dublin-s-after-hours-party-scene-1.3176955?mode=amp

Zebra3

Never used one. They don't look too safe and I've heard they're unlicensed.

If that's the case, I guess they're uninsured, so absolute mugs game getting into one of them.

Victor

Zebra3 wrote: »

They don't look too safe and I've heard they're unlicensed.

Pedal rickshaws (not motor rickshaws) and horse carriages don't need a licence.

HivemindXX

endacl wrote: »

Nice one. Takes about ten seconds and there's no limit to the amount of times you can go through and tick the box saying they should be prohibited.

This is why internet surveys are a waste of time. I guess you must be concerned that there aren't actually enough people who care about this to back up your view.

whisky_galore

There's a place for them.

Mumbai or Hanoi or perhaps Phnom pehn. Places like that.

Victor

whisky_galore wrote: »

There's a place for them.

Mumbai or Hanoi or perhaps Phnom pehn. Places like that.

Why there and not Dublin?

McCrack

A lot of them peddle drugs

So if youre stuck in town at midnight for something they usually will oblige

Victor

McCrack wrote: »

A lot of them peddle drugs

Is this just hearsay or are there lots of convictions of drivers?

McCrack

Knowledge on the ground Victor

ED E

McCrack wrote: »

Knowledge on the ground Victor

So hot air then yeah.

gizmo81

Rickshaw drivers selling drugs has been reported going back to 2015.


http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/exclusive-rickshaw-drivers-selling-weed-cocaine-and-pills-while-working-in-city-centre-35232697.html

http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/conviction-of-brazilian-rickshaw-driver-for-drug-dealing-prompts-warning-by-judge-796720.html

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/dublin-city-rickshaw-operators-face-fines-and-seizures-for-breaking-cycle-laws-31527344.html

theteal

ED E wrote: »

So hot air then yeah.

It's really not. Make a few enquiries the next time your out around Georges Street at night. I bet it won't take long. It's not my thing but I've seen it first hand and I'm only in Dublin a handful of times a year these days.

McCrack

Thanks. I didnt have the appetite to reply to ED E

AllForIt

whisky_galore wrote: »

There's a place for them.

Mumbai or Hanoi or perhaps Phnom pehn. Places like that.

Well exactly. Their a bit second world rather than something you'd expect to find in a prosperous modern European city so I think they bring the tone of the place down.

howiya

Article about rickshaws and drug dealing in the IT today

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/dublin-s-drug-dealing-rickshaw-drivers-1.3320494

Interestingly it mentions the survey and says early indications are that most are in favour of retaining rickshaws but with regulation. Report gone to the Department of Transport.

brokenarms

Pond scum .

howiya

Update on this in the Irish Times

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/shane-ross-to-propose-ban-on-rickshaws-1.3513154

LuckyLloyd

I'd be satisfied with this outcome, my submission called for same.

lucernarian

@ED E you described the claims of drug dealing as "hot air" - I wonder what you have to say about this:

https://www.rte.ie/news/dublin/2018/0511/962729-dublin-rickshaws-drugs/

https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2018/0530/967014-rickshaws/

Sometimes I wonder why it takes multiple media and govt statements and investigations to be released before we can call a spade a spade on this forum.

magicbastarder

howiya wrote: »

Update on this in the Irish Times

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/shane-ross-to-propose-ban-on-rickshaws-1.3513154

an interesting approach. too difficult to regulate, so we ban.
we'll be banning banks next. and the gardai.

whisky_galore

I don't think they add anything to a city, apart from giving joyrides to drunks.

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

whisky_galore wrote: »

I don't think they add anything to a city, apart from giving joyrides to drunks.

Agreed

This will probably be the only thing Ross does in office, ban rickshaws.

Personally, even though I don't deal with them much anymore , I'll still be glad to see the back of them

Stephen15

Hopefully they'll be getting banned. I fail to see what they are contributing to the city. Banning them would definitely improve the look of the place and would help the introduction of 24h bus routes.

brokenarms

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

Agreed

This will probably be the only thing Ross does in office, ban rickshaws.

Personally, even though I don't deal with them much anymore , I'll still be glad to see the back of them

Yeah but it means more Taxis.

I would rather have Rickshaws than taxis any day of the week. Rickshaws dont get in the way of the bus service. Taxis make it their mission hold up everyone to get 1 fare.

Infini

magicbastarder wrote: »

an interesting approach. too difficult to regulate, so we ban.
we'll be banning banks next. and the gardai.

Rickshaw's aren't imporant. More trouble than it's worth on our cramped streets. Nothing of value lost! :P

magicbastarder

so legally, how do you define a rickshaw?

n!ghtmancometh

Don't see the harm in them myself. Overcharging drunk idiots for trips to Harcourt Street and selling the odd bag of weed to tourists. Don't clog up the roads like taxi's either.

Stephen15

magicbastarder wrote: »

so legally, how do you define a rickshaw?

A non motorised vehicle carrying more than one passsenger on a public. I know you say the same about people who carry children attached bicycle trailers or at the front or back but in my opinion these are also unsafe and unsuitable to roads.

Stephen15

I know people say regulate but the money being made by these guys is not an awful lot however much they try to rip you they are not making big bucks the average Rickshaw driver would make about €70 or €80 on a busy night I would make a guess. Uptake of Rickshaw licences would likely be so low as it would likely cost more to buy a licence than one would make in a year and insurance would also be sky high which would put more potential Rickshaw drivers off.

Regulating them is unviable so it's cheaper and easier to just ban them.

alentejo

Other than banning them for hire, I suspect that banning them outright might be legally difficult. Would a SI be needed to define what a Rickshaw is? or is legislation required to do this.

I find it difficult how a rickshaw will be defined in law and to differentiate it to pedal cycles and cargo bikes.

fritzelly

Saying they only make €70 ish a night is a lot of money, they are probably doing this for a few hours at night (untaxed) and working a full time job - it's a very nice earner.
I'm surprised there hasn't been an accident yet because their road manners are non existent, one way streets - who cares, half the time they are not even looking at the road as they are chatting with their fares
I'm not even sure how it is even legal for them to be plying for fares when they are not even licenced like a taxi would be.
And who do you think are supplying the drugs - surely not the people renting the rickshaw to them...
Journey price is directly related to how drunk you are.
Should be banned - add nothing to the city at all

Stephen15

fritzelly wrote: »

Saying they only make €70 ish a night is a lot of money, they are probably doing this for a few hours at night (untaxed) and working a full time job - it's a very nice earner.
I'm surprised there hasn't been an accident yet because their road manners are non existent, one way streets - who cares, half the time they are not even looking at the road as they are chatting with their fares
I'm not even sure how it is even legal for them to be plying for fares when they are not even licenced like a taxi would be.
And who do you think are supplying the drugs - surely not the people renting the rickshaw to them...
Journey price is directly related to how drunk you are.
Should be banned - add nothing to the city at all

I was saying if they were regulated and let's say they decided to charge 2 grand for a licence how many would actually take it up. Also they would likely need insurance to get a licence so that's another couple of grand. Uneconomic to run if they were regulated it would cost more to get a licence than one would make so no one would buy a licence plate and The NTA would have admin fees etc. so it would cost more to regulate than the amount licence fees would bring in so you might aswell ban. Also I would say a large proportion of Rickshaw drivers are not legally entitled to live or work here.

fritzelly

Stephen15 wrote: »

I was saying if they were regulated and let's say they decided to charge 2 grand for a licence how many would actually take it up. Also they would likely need insurance to get a licence so that's another couple of grand. Uneconomic to run if they were regulated it would cost more to get a licence than one would make so no one would buy a licence plate and The NTA would have admin fees etc. so it would cost more to regulate than the amount licence fees would bring in so you might aswell ban. Also I would say a large proportion of Rickshaw drivers are not legally entitled to live or work here.

Basically what Coveney was saying - too much hassle to set up and it ends up being a non runner for people to do it if it was licenced so a fortune wasted to legislate it
Don't know how it is in other cities in Ireland compared to Dublin but just add it to the bye laws and ban it.

Arcade_Tryer

Saying Rickshaws don't "add anything to the city" is not a good enough reason to ban them.

Banning rickshaws is a nice distraction from a city centre which is currently experiencing a transport crisis. It's pathetic really.

fritzelly

Arcade_Tryer wrote: »

Saying Rickshaws don't "add anything to the city" is not a good enough reason to ban them.

Banning rickshaws is a nice distraction from a city centre which is currently experiencing a transport crisis. It's pathetic really.

What do these nocturnal animals add to the city then?
Flying around flauting the laws of the road, robbing people (not directly but hey €10 euro from Camden St to Georges St, sure no tourists have never been done over), dealing drugs - they surely add something to the city...

whisky_galore

Arcade_Tryer wrote: »

Saying Rickshaws don't "add anything to the city" is not a good enough reason to ban them.

Banning rickshaws is a nice distraction from a city centre which is currently experiencing a transport crisis. It's pathetic really.

They're a novelty for pissed people, operated by god-knows-who and not a serious transport option.

magicbastarder

fritzelly wrote: »

What do these nocturnal animals add to the city then?
Flying around flauting the laws of the road, robbing people (not directly but hey €10 euro from Camden St to Georges St, sure no tourists have never been done over), dealing drugs - they surely add something to the city...

most of those problems are down to lack of regulation.
if there was a sensible option to do so, i'd prefer hop in one of these to get from, say, earlsfort terrace to capel street, depending on weather and time, rather than use a taxi.

Stephen15

magicbastarder wrote: »

most of those problems are down to lack of regulation.
if there was a sensible option to do so, i'd prefer hop in one of these to get from, say, earlsfort terrace to capel street, depending on weather and time, rather than use a taxi.

You see the thing if you regulated them uptake of licences would likely be low. Meaning you might as well just ban them. It would be cheaper and easier to just ban them.

expectationlost

how much are these actually used for transport, or for more a kind of entertainment, would people wearing more comfortable shoes or reducing their alcohol intake reduce their use a great deal?

(i think they should regulated not banned)