The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Paul Clark): My right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State for Transport, Lord Adonis, has made the following ministerial statement:
The Department for Transport is today publishing two 12-week consultations.
One seeks views on the principle of changing the law to permit the use, on public roads and cycle tracks, of small electric personal vehicles (EPVs), which do not meet current legal requirements for such use.
The consultation does not include consideration of the use of pedestrian footways or footpaths by these vehicles.
New technologies may offer new opportunities. At present any EPV which does not comply with existing road traffic law may only be used on private land, with landowner permission. I am keen to ensure a full consideration of the issues. As a result, this consultation invites opinions, and supporting evidence, about whether the law should be changed to permit such EPVs on public roads and cycle tracks. Depending on the consultation results, legislative proposals and further detailed consultation may follow.
The second concerns electrically assisted pedal cycles and seeks views on proposals to provide closer alignment of GB regulations with European provisions. The proposals will provide greater clarity regarding the type of product considered to be an electrically assisted pedal cycle and those considered to be motor vehicles, for example, mopeds.
The consultation documents and response forms are available on the Department’s website and copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
The consultations will close on Tuesday 30 March 2010.
