Mobility scooter users remain one of the most stigmatised, overlooked and vulnerable groups on our roads. Despite growing numbers, they are often dismissed or ignored - seen as a nuisance rather than recognised as legitimate road and pavement users.

Everyday journeys are made harder by poor infrastructure, blocked paths, overgrown foliage and a lack of consideration from others. Abuse, impatience and inaccessible environments are common experiences. Instead of support or understanding, there is often blame. Meanwhile, the risks are rising: in 2023, road deaths involving mobility scooter users almost doubled compared to the year before - yet the issue remains largely invisible.

This presentation will make the case for urgent change. It will share research from Nottingham Trent University, exploring perceptions, prejudice and safety risk - highlighting how stigma translates into real-world danger.

It will also showcase the progress of the Safer Mobility Campaign - a collaborative initiative led by Surewise and Nottingham Trent University, championed by Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership, and now backed by 25 local authorities and road safety teams across the UK.

Finally, the presentation will outline the ongoing work to ensure mobility scooter users are added to the Highway Code’s Hierarchy of Vulnerable Road Users - a vital step in giving this group the recognition and protection they deserve.

It’s time mobility scooter users were seen, respected and included in a truly inclusive road safety system.

Dr Duncan Guest, Head of Psychology, Nottingham Trent University; Richard Hannan, co-founder of Surewise & Rebecca Morris, Head of Communications, Vision Zero Communications

Dr Duncan Guest is Head of Psychology at Nottingham Trent University and an applied cognitive psychologist. He has been conducting research on mobility scooter users and their safety for several years as well as exploring broader aspects of accessibility.

This has included the largest study to date on mobility scooter safety and the development of a training resource.

Richard Hannan is a co-founder of Surewise, a UK insurance intermediary specialising in mobility scooter insurance. He has over 20 years' experience in insurance and technology and is responsible for marketing and communications.

Since the company formed in 2014, Surewise has insured more than 130,000 mobility scooters in the UK and is a leading provider in the sector.

In April, Surewise launched its Safer Mobility campaign after becoming increasingly concerned about the apparent increase in mobility scooter user casualties.

After analysing the casualty data, Surewise was horrified to discover that mobility scooter riders are more than two and a half times more likely to be killed in a road crash compared to other road users. And over the last decade, mobility scooter casualties have increased by an average of 20 per cent, year on year.

A road safety marketing and PR specialist with almost 20 years' experience, Rebecca Morris is passionate about influencing public behaviour in order to reduce road deaths and injuries, and contributing to the UK's efforts to achieve Vision Zero.

During her career, she has worked with police forces and highway authorities across the UK and worldwide.

She began her road safety marketing career at Derbyshire Safety Camera Partnership, before moving to not-for-profit company, Road Safety Support, where she was Media and Marketing Manager for 16 years.

In January 2023, she was appointed Head of Communications at RoadPeace, the national charity for road crash victims, where she helps to strengthen victims' voices and raise awareness around road harm.

In 2023, she also formed her own company - Vision Zero Communications - helping companies, local authorities and other organisations to run road safety PR and marketing campaigns.