HB Webinar: Wheels in Motion – The Future of Urban Mobility

Date And Time
Tue, 23 June 2020
12:00 – 12:45 BST

The exponential growth of our major urban centres coupled with the advent of novel technologies, from e-mobility to AI to automated deliveries solutions, poses an urgent policy challenge for governments across Europe. Innovative solutions will be required to ensure that people, vehicles and goods can continue to move around cities quickly, safely and sustainably.

The travel restrictions imposed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic have brought this question to the fore. It is likely that the proliferation of new modes of mobility will be combined with an explosion in cycling and walking to meet our immediate challenges. Urban delivery networks are just as important, with alternative delivery methods being developed to increase their sustainability. The ramifications will be wide, long-lasting, and require a re-imagining of urban life.

This situation poses both opportunities and challenges for the industry and its wider partners. Green solutions must be at the forefront. Regulation that guarantees safety and safeguards our public space must be balanced and embrace of innovative technologies. Different mobility modes and methods of usage will be tussling to shape the agenda.

Considering these questions and more will be Chris Heaton-Harris MP, Minister of State at the Department for Transport, to share his perspective on the direction of travel. A Q&A session will follow.

Please note that this event will be held under the Chatham House Rule.

About Chris Heaton-Harris MP

Chris Heaton-Harris is a Minister of State at the Department for Transport, with responsibility for rail, cycling and walking in the UK. A former Member of the European Parliament and Chief Whip of the British Conservatives, he has a deep understanding of European issues. He also chaired the European Research Group (ERG) for six years, and served as the minister responsible for ‘no deal’ preparation at the Department for Exiting the European Union under Theresa May.