Mobility Aid Legal Changes – Every journey, Everyone

Over 10 million people in the UK have mobility-related impairments.

Existing mobility aid laws create confusion, restrict market innovation and limit Disabled people’s freedom to move and make journeys.

New high-quality regulations that meet Disabled people’s needs will enable millions more Disabled people to legally use a growing range of existing and innovative safe, convenient, cost-effective, low-carbon devices to move around our homes and communities. This will improve independence, physical and mental health, employment, educational and social options for Disabled people and our families

At the moment, a huge proportion of Disabled people including individual adults, children, parents and carers, Disabled couples, families and friends are prevented from owning and legally using safe, tested and well regulated mobility aids that would work for them – and that are legal in many other countries already. Development of new aids is being hindered.

New regulations need to ensure Disabled people have the right to:

• Move independently using mobility aids as pedestrians, micro-mobility users and cyclists, whatever our age or specific disabilities, with the same responsibility for safe use that equivalent non-disabled pedestrians, micro-mobility users and cyclists bear.
• Use traditional mobility aids such as wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
• Use less familiar mobility aids such as powered and e-assist wheelchair attachments, multi-person aids, running frames, and devices yet to be developed.
• Use devices that are also used by non-disabled people as our mobility aids, for example cycles and e-scooters.
• Use appropriate mobility aids safely and considerately in all public spaces, on public transport, to access services and in private destinations such as employment, education, healthcare, residential, retail, sports and leisure settings.

We are holding a series of free webinars to discuss mobility aid regulations to help with your responses to the DfT’s consultation. Please register for the one you want to attend.

Monday 2nd February: 1pm-2pm. Register now

Tuesday 3rd February: 12pm-1pm. Register now 

Thursday 12th February: 6:30pm-7:30pm. Register now

Preliminary considerations of the DfT Mobility Devices Consultation

My mobility device information and sources Excel document

Mobility Aids guide

Briefing on Mobility Aids

People who use mobility scooters should be allowed to carry friends and family

Disabled children should be allowed powered aids that let them run, cycle and explore with their friends

Mobility aid users should be allowed to use cycle tracks, cycle lanes and bus lanes

Parents who use wheelchairs should have the right to use prams and pushchairs

Please contact the Campaigns and Policy team manager or leads with press, campaigning and consultancy enquiries:

Campaigns and Policy Manager Kay Inckle: kay@wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk

Campaigns and Policy Lead Kate Ball: kate@wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk

Campaigns and Policy Lead Ben Foley: ben@wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk

For general enquiries including inclusive cycling sessions and cycle hire (London only) please contact info@wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk