Asked by: Alberto Costa (Conservative - South Leicestershire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to improve safety for pedestrians from collisions involving e-scooters.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
Safety will always be a top priority for e-scooters, as for every other mode of transport. As we develop new regulations, we are determined to protect vulnerable road users by making users accountable for their actions and improving compliance with the rules. Our work will be informed by lessons learnt from trials, where measures have been put in place to improve rider training and require that e-scooters have a bell or a horn so that they are audible. We will consult publicly before any new arrangements come into force.
The use of e-scooters on the pavement is illegal under current legislation, and the Government has no plans to change this. Enforcement is a matter for the police. The Department for Transport has been in regular contact with the National Police Chiefs’ Council, who are developing a national strategy for enforcing the law around e-scooters to encourage a uniform approach to the issue.
Asked by: Alberto Costa (Conservative - South Leicestershire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to improve road safety for horse riders.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The Government takes very seriously the safety of horse riders and other vulnerable road users and is committed to reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on England’s roads.
Following Parliamentary approval, The Highway Code was updated on 29 January 2022 to include changes to improve safety for all road issues - including horse riders.
Key changes include the introduction of a Hierarchy of Road Users, which ensures that those who do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger or threat that they pose to others, along with the strengthening of guidance on safe passing distances and speeds when overtaking horse-riders.
Asked by: Alberto Costa (Conservative - South Leicestershire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to help improve road safety for cyclists.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The Government takes very seriously the safety of cyclists and other vulnerable road users and is committed to reducing the number of cyclists killed or seriously injured on England’s roads. In July 2020 the Prime Minister launched ambitious plans to encourage cycling and walking. This includes a £2 billion package of funding for active travel over 5 years, which is the largest ever boost for cycling and walking, and will deliver transformational change and improve safety for people cycling.
On 14 May 2022 the Government announced £200 million of funding for new walking and cycling schemes across England, including £35m for the National Cycle Network and a new £8 million e-cycle programme. We have also set up Active Travel England as an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport, which will have a much more hands-on role with local authorities: working with them to get their cycling and walking schemes right and making sure they deliver them properly.
Asked by: Alberto Costa (Conservative - South Leicestershire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to improve road safety for cyclists.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The Government takes very seriously the safety of cyclists and other vulnerable road users and is committed to reducing the number of cyclists killed or seriously injured on England’s roads. In July 2020 the Prime Minister launched ambitious plans to encourage cycling and walking. This includes a £2 billion package of funding for active travel over 5 years, which is the largest ever boost for cycling and walking and will deliver transformational change and improve safety for people cycling.
On 14 May 2022 the Government announced £200 million of funding for new walking and cycling schemes across England, including £35m for the National Cycle Network and a new £8 million e-cycle programme. We have also set up Active Travel England as an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport, which will have a much more hands-on role with local authorities: working with them to get their cycling and walking schemes right and making sure they deliver them properly.