Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that riders of electric scooters and electric bicycles wear cycle helmets.

It is illegal to use private e-scooters in public places, other than in the rental trials that are underway. In the trials, cycle helmets are recommended but are not a requirement. Where people are using e-scooters on private land, the wearing of helmets is a matter for them. The Department is reviewing a wide range of evidence, including from the trials and international deployments, to inform a decision on options for the future of e-scooters.

As for e-cycles, The Highway Code recommends that all cyclists, whether riding an e-cycle or conventional pedal cycle, should wear helmets. The Government strongly encourages cyclists to wear helmets, particularly children, but has no plans to mandate this. A previous review of this matter concluded that the safety benefits of mandating helmets would be likely to be outweighed by the fact that it would put some people off cycling, thereby reducing the wider health and environmental benefits.