Toby Perkins met with representative from Guide Dogs UK at the Labour Party Conference to discuss the issue of E-scooters and their safety, following communication with many residents affected by sight loss across his constituency.

Guide Dogs UK’s staff and volunteers discussed concerns around E-scooters and ensuring that they are blind people friendly regarding noise and driving standards.

Latest research by Guide Dogs shows that 68 per cent of guide dog owners find that anti-social use of e-scooters and electric bikes reduce their confidence to leave the house.

E-scooters are difficult for blind and partially sighted people to identify and avoid because they operate quietly, which makes them difficult to hear.

As the law stands, the use of privately owned e-scooters outside of a trial area remains illegal but their use appears to be widespread.

Toby stated “It was great to visit the Guide Dogs stand and discuss concerns that residents have raised with me about E-scooters. Their quiz was a great way to get the MPs, Peers and members present thinking about the key issues in a fun, entertaining way – and I was pleased to come fourth on their leaders board”.