Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have urgently to rewrite the Highway Code to strengthen the protection of pedestrians from those using bicycles and e-scooters on the pavement.

It is important that both cyclists and e-scooter users know that, like other road users, the rules of the Highway Code and road traffic law apply to them. The use of cycles and rental e-scooters on the pavement is illegal, other than in designated areas such as on shared use paths, and enforcement is a matter for the police. Privately-owned e-scooters remain illegal to use on all public roads and existing penalties may apply.

Rule 66 of The Highway Code states that cyclists should be considerate of other road users, particularly blind and partially sighted pedestrians, and should alert them to their presence when necessary.

The Department continues to look at how we can improve road safety for everyone who uses our roads and pavements. Should new legislation be introduced to change the rules for e-scooters, the Department will review the Highway Code and whether any amendments may be appropriate.