Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will encourage local authorities running pilots for escooters to also commission pilots on accessible modes of active travel.

The Department strongly encourages all local authorities to develop cycling and walking schemes that are accessible to all, and the Public Sector Equality Duty places a legal requirement on them to consider the particular needs of those with protected characteristics, including disabled people, in designing these schemes. The Department’s Cycle Infrastructure Design Guidance (Local Transport Note 1/20) also emphasises the paramount importance of high-quality and accessible cycle infrastructure. Local authorities running e-scooter trials engaged closely with vulnerable road users and accessibility groups in the design of their schemes, and one trial operator is currently testing an adaption for wheelchair users which will make the scheme accessible to them.