Rickshaws could soon be back on the streets of Oxford - with much more freedom to pick up passengers than before.

Pedal-powered public transport was briefly introduced to the city back in 1995 - but disappeared a year later after the company behind it went bust.

Entrepreneur Erica Steinhauer has now applied for a new licence to operate rickshaws in the city.

This time she wants drivers to be able to pick up passengers anywhere - and not be confined to fixed routes as before.

It would mean rickshaws being granted similar licences to taxis.

Members of the city council's public transport sub-committee will decide tomorrow whether to support the idea in principle.

Concerns surround how safe rickshaws will be if they are allowed to pick up and drop off on busy city centre streets.

Council engineer John Keen, who took a rick- shaw ride to test their safety, said: "It is slow in moving away and relies on the courtesy and good driving sense of other motorists, but I did not feel at risk.

"I found the fumes the most uncomfortable thing."

Ms Steinhauer was unavailable for comment.

Story date: Thursday 18 February

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