Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he has made an assessment of the potential impact of e-scooter policies on people with sight loss and other disabilities.

Rental e-scooter trials were launched in July 2020 in 32 areas across England. The Department for Transport commissioned an independent evaluation of the e-scooter trials, covering data up to December 2021. The evaluation examines how and why rental e-scooters are used, and by whom, as well as safety, mode shift, environmental and wider social impacts.

From the key findings, the majority of residents saw the introduction of e-scooters in their area as positive. Some members of the public raised concerns about the behaviour displayed by riders, with pavement riding causing particular concern among pedestrians with mobility issues and blind or partially sighted individuals.

The findings have already been used to inform updates in guidance and regulation of the e-scooter trials and will continue to be used to inform future e-scooter policy. The Department will continue to engage with a range of stakeholders representing the needs of blind and visually impaired people, including through a public consultation, before any new arrangements come into force.