Asked by: Baroness Barker (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to subsidise non-standard cycles for disabled people in line with existing subsidies for accessible motor vehicles.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
It is essential that as wide a range of people as possible, have the opportunity to take up cycling, in all its forms. The Government is aware that the costs of non-standard cycles can be a barrier for many disabled people. In July 2020 the Prime Minister launched ambitious plans to boost cycling and walking in England, including a commitment to increasing access to e-cycles (including adapted e-cycles) by setting up a new national e-cycle support programme, to help those who are older, have to travel longer distances or are less able to take up pedal cycling. Adapted and non-standard cycles can already be hired through the Cycle to Work scheme, which means that disabled people in employment are able to access them at a significant discount. The Department will keep under review the case for further support for adapted and non-standard bicycles.
Asked by: Baroness Barker (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many employers refused to offer a package the value of which was above that normally permissible under a Cycle to Work Scheme under circumstances in which an employee had specific needs that required a specialist cycle due to a recognised disability for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010 in (1) 2013–14, and (2) 2014–15.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
As this is not a Government scheme the Department for Transport does not collect data on how many employers offered or refused to offer, a package the value of which was above that normally permissible under a Cycle to Work Scheme under circumstances in which an employee had specific needs that required a specialist cycle due to a recognised disability for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010 in (1) 2013–14, and (2) 2014–15.
This is because the Cycle to Work scheme is an employee benefit covered by an exemption and therefore employers do not have to make an annual tax return regarding the benefit; meaning the Department does not collect the data.
Asked by: Baroness Barker (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many employers offered a package the value of which was above that normally permissible under a Cycle to Work Scheme in circumstances in which an employee had specific needs that required a specialist cycle due to a recognised disability for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010 in (1) 2013–14, and (2) 2014–15.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
As this is not a Government scheme the Department for Transport does not collect data on how many employers offered or refused to offer, a package the value of which was above that normally permissible under a Cycle to Work Scheme under circumstances in which an employee had specific needs that required a specialist cycle due to a recognised disability for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010 in (1) 2013–14, and (2) 2014–15.
This is because the Cycle to Work scheme is an employee benefit covered by an exemption and therefore employers do not have to make an annual tax return regarding the benefit; meaning the Department does not collect the data.
Asked by: Baroness Barker (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what provision they have made to include disabled cyclists within the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government will work to increase awareness of both the use of cycles as a mobility aid and the need for discretion when implementing 'cyclist dismount' regulations in public areas, including stations.
We recently consulted on the draft Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy and as part of the consultation sought views on how to increase cycling and walking in typically under-represented groups, including disabled people. The Government is in the process of analysing responses to the consultation and will publish a Government Response later this summer.