Start a city-centre pedicab business

Tourists, theatre and restaurant-goers, shoppers and groups on a night out.

Fares per ride or per time block, agreed clearly before the ride. Tips matter, and busy evenings, weekends and holidays bring most of the takings.

• Good fitness and stamina
• Friendly and confident with strangers
• Safe riding in traffic and crowds
• Local knowledge of sights and routes

• Licensing differs by area: check whether you need a council licence, street trading consent or other permission to pick up passengers
• Insurance must cover carrying passengers for hire; check what cover you need as standard cycle insurance may not be enough
• Check the rules for electric-assist pedicabs, including power and speed limits, before buying one
• Fares should be clear before the ride, as disputes and complaints about overcharging can damage your reputation and licence
• Income depends on weather and season, so expect quiet winter spells
• Physically demanding work, and busy roads carry real safety risks

Startup costs are typically estimated at around £3,000 to £12,000, depending on the pedicab you buy and your other set-up needs. Check the rules for electric-assist models, including power and speed limits, before you buy one.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on your location, hours and the time of year. Income depends on weather and season, so expect quieter winter spells.

Licensing differs by area, so check whether you need a council licence, street trading consent or other permission to pick up passengers. Also check what insurance you need for carrying passengers for hire, as standard cycle insurance may not be enough.