Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Active Travel Pilots: Accessibility to Disabled People

Thursday 24 June 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Local authorities are responsible for ensuring active travel schemes are accessible to all.
  • Government guidance includes publications reflecting best practice in safety and inclusivity for disabled pedestrians, cyclists and wheelchair users.
  • Local authorities must consider the impacts of e-scooters on people with disabilities and allow them to access the trials.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Employment Transport
Context

The issue concerns the accessibility of pilot schemes designed to promote cycling and other forms of active travel. The question arises from a concern that these initiatives may not adequately accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Question

What steps he is taking to ensure that all active travel pilots are fully accessible to disabled people?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

Local authorities are responsible for ensuring active travel schemes are accessible to all. Government guidance, which includes the “Cycle Infrastructure Design” publication, reflects best practice in safety and inclusivity for disabled pedestrians, cyclists and wheelchair and Motability scooter users.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide specific steps or commitments beyond general guidance on accessibility, avoiding a direct commitment to ensure full accessibility of all pilot schemes.

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Q2 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Social Care Transport
Context

The concern is that the government's pilot schemes for e-scooters and other forms of active travel do not mandate accessibility formats, potentially excluding disabled and older individuals from these initiatives.

Question

The Government are rolling out a number of pilots for e-scooters and also supporting with funding a number of schemes to expand active travel, yet those schemes do not need to have accessible formats of travel for disabled people and older people, further excluding them from the benefits of active travel and moving around in car-free environments. Will the Minister ensure that every pilot scheme is expanded so that it is fully accessible? Will he also challenge the sector to provide Motability scooters and other forms of e-travel that are fully accessible for everyone in our communities?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

It is very important that local authorities consider the impacts of e-scooters on people with disabilities and allow them to access the trials as well. E-scooters have the potential to offer additional means of transport, and we allowed seated e-scooters within the scope of the trials to enable people with certain mobility issues to use them. Our guidance told local authorities to encourage groups representing the interests of disabled people in their areas to advise people with accessibility issues on how they can best use the schemes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not commit to ensuring full accessibility for all pilot schemes and instead refers to existing guidance that encourages local authorities to take voluntary steps.

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