Mobility Scooters

[woody.]

Perhaps this should happen allover the country ??

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1326261/Police-bid-increase-road-safety-scores-mobility-scooter-complaints.html : :-S

[flicka]

i think most users would be in favour, IF the training is available.

With 50 attendees on the one mentioned, it does at least show the need & willingness of the Norwich pensioners to participate.

[nightrider]

My cousins wife has a mobility scooter and when we were on the Moreton campsite near Weymouth we called in at Dorchester market.

My cousins wife drove into one of the biggish stalls to look at some kids clothes, dont know what happened whether she put it in the wrong gear but the machine shot forwards then backwards and demolished the stall, fortunately the stall owner saw the funny side of it (lol)

[leon]

knight of the road - 2010-11-04 1:56 AM

 

My cousins wife has a mobility scooter and when we were on the Moreton campsite near Weymouth we called in at Dorchester market.

My cousins wife drove into one of the biggish stalls to look at some kids clothes, dont know what happened whether she put it in the wrong gear but the machine shot forwards then backwards and demolished the stall, fortunately the stall owner saw the funny side of it (lol)

 

i remember middle aged woman on one getting on the tram and she really struggled to get out when she wanted to get off.

Someone did offer to help basically pick up the front so she was in the right direction, but got his head bitten off, i felt really bad for the guy

[Porky]

This is a good initiative, but it should be compulsory as long as they are able to go at 8mph. Now that doesn't sound fast, but I live in a city where they are popular and when I am walking at a brisk 3mph and they shoot by (silently) at more than twice my speed it is potentially dangerous. Why can't they be limited to 4mph? After all they are supposed to replace legs arn't they, not the car*-)

Now don't get me wrong I am all in favour of them but they should be more regulated>:-)

[nightrider]

a lot of people are genuinly in need of those disabled scooters and it opens a new independant life for them.

But I am sorry to say I think a lot of them are too fat and too idle to walk and use the scooters as an easy option.

[flicka]

I'm afraid I have to agree with Malcolm, unfortunately.

 

I know from experience that here are no checks whatsoever regarding the Users', whether that be ability or need.

 

Mt wife is a Mobility Scooter user, (4 mph) due to need, as she is unable to walk at all.

After various trials with Electric Wheelchairs, thankfully everyone came to the conclusion that although the obvious selection, she just could not get on with one.

She uses a manual wheelchair generally, but the Mobility Scooter is a great assistance when outdoors. It will also split down so we can fit in the Car or M/H.

 

Unfortunately, there are too high a proportion of Users, (especially the 8mph Scooters) who are as Malcolm says, too fat or idle.

BUT at present ANYONE can buy a Mobility Scooter & around our area it appears that those with the least need, are the people with the bigger & faster machines.

We are close to a large static Caravan Site & many are only used there, not at their home. We even have some men using them as Golf Buggies.

 

The Mobility Scooters capable of 8mph should IMO, be subject to a proven need by a Doctor's examination & fully regulated, including Compulsory Training/Licencing & Insurance, as a priority.

It is too attractive for some people to opt for these machines instead of a Car. (No Tax, No Insurance, No Parking restrictions, No Eyesight Test, etc., etc..)

Therefore there is also a case initially for there range should also be restricted too much less than the average 20 - 25miles.

[nightrider]

if you got hit by a mobility scooter doing 8 MPH I think you would certainly know about it.

I am not into all this litigation business but what if you were seriously hurt by one of these scooters, or if one damaged your car what are the legal implications?

[kelly58]

Too many overweight and lazy so n so's are having these scooters when all they need is a good diet and plenty of exercise , in the right hands like all mobility aids these things are a great help , but in my opinion should only be used by genuine blue badge holding disabled people you only have to go to an outdoor motorhome show to see they are becoming an epidemic and a nuisance. How many do you see when on holiday in France ??

[woody.]

errr , This says it all !! click link .

 

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1326511/Couple-knocked-hit-run-mobility-scooter-driver-Tesco-run.html

[Mel B]

I fully appreciate that there are people who have no choice to use some form of mobility aid due to circumstances (disability, illness etc) and I can see that they would be unhappy at having to have a 'test', but on the whole I don't think that this possible legislation is aimed at them.

 

There are a lot of people who shouldn't have these who do, just for the convenience. What they fail to appreciate is that it is a slippery slope - once you get used to using them for even the most miniscule 'journey' eventually you become dependent on them because your legs won't work due to lack of exercise, your muscles weaken, and whereas before you 'chose' to use it, you then 'have' to use it.

 

Yes, there are a lot of very overweight people with them and I suspect they fit into the 'chose' to use it category and have caused the physical problems they have now themselves.

 

Having been almost mown down on Southend on Sea earlier this year by an errant female with a mobility scooter whizzing past the shop entrance (at least 6 mph) as we came out, I do wonder how many pedestrians are injured, of both minor and major types, by these electric scooter speed freaks. Had it not be me existing the shop and a young child there's no way he/she would have been able to get out of the way of the scooter and I hate to think of the consequences.

 

As for ownership being regulated on a 'needs' basis and/or only to registered disabled, I'm not a fan of that. Not everyone who has a need for a mobility aid wants to be registered disabled or have to plead a case for having a scooter etc, and why should they. I do however, think that insurance should be compulsory (as I also think it should be with electric bikes too, but that's another issue), and that you should have to undertake some form of training before being let loose on one of these things, you have to remember that some people won't have a good road knowledge or awareness and that is dangerous for them on the scooter and other road users.

 

In the past I have taken cycling proficiency courses at school, for a normal bicycle, that was when the roads were a lot quieter, and it's something which I think should be required for cyclists, especially children - how many parents just buy a kid a bike and expect them to know how to use it safely? This should be the case for electric scooters too - no training - no scooter.

 

[flicka]

Mel B - 2010-11-04 6:11 PM

 

I fully appreciate that there are people who have no choice to use some form of mobility aid due to circumstances (disability, illness etc) and I can see that they would be unhappy at having to have a 'test', but on the whole I don't think that this possible legislation is aimed at them.

 

There are a lot of people who shouldn't have these who do, just for the convenience. What they fail to appreciate is that it is a slippery slope - once you get used to using them for even the most miniscule 'journey' eventually you become dependent on them because your legs won't work due to lack of exercise, your muscles weaken, and whereas before you 'chose' to use it, you then 'have' to use it.

 

Yes, there are a lot of very overweight people with them and I suspect they fit into the 'chose' to use it category and have caused the physical problems they have now themselves.

 

Having been almost mown down on Southend on Sea earlier this year by an errant female with a mobility scooter whizzing past the shop entrance (at least 6 mph) as we came out, I do wonder how many pedestrians are injured, of both minor and major types, by these electric scooter speed freaks. Had it not be me existing the shop and a young child there's no way he/she would have been able to get out of the way of the scooter and I hate to think of the consequences.

 

As for ownership being regulated on a 'needs' basis and/or only to registered disabled, I'm not a fan of that. Not everyone who has a need for a mobility aid wants to be registered disabled or have to plead a case for having a scooter etc, and why should they. I do however, think that insurance should be compulsory (as I also think it should be with electric bikes too, but that's another issue), and that you should have to undertake some form of training before being let loose on one of these things, you have to remember that some people won't have a good road knowledge or awareness and that is dangerous for them on the scooter and other road users.

 

In the past I have taken cycling proficiency courses at school, for a normal bicycle, that was when the roads were a lot quieter, and it's something which I think should be required for cyclists, especially children - how many parents just buy a kid a bike and expect them to know how to use it safely? This should be the case for electric scooters too - no training - no scooter.

I agree in principle, but all users are being labelled the same.

This is the problem.

"Not everyone who has a need for a mobility aid wants to be registered disabled or have to plead a case for having a scooter etc, and why should they. "

IMO "need" should be assessed (by GP or similar) they do not have to be registered disabled, there can be a variety of reasons.

BUT many genuine Users are being abused by the public, due to the thoughtlessness & selfishness of many convienence Users & it is this latter category who are the most likely to ignore any training / testing requirements & also have the least Road Sense.

 

Our friends daughter (a proficient user with many years experience) has had to resort to displaying large Disabled Badges at both front & rear on her Mobility Scooter.

 

[leon]

Well i read this article this morning and the jist of it is

 

"June Petty, 69, was left with a broken pelvis and spent 10 days in hospital while her husband Ken Petty suffered cuts and bruises after being involved in the "hit and run".

The couple were walking near their home in Mexborough, near Rotherham, whe

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n the battery-powered scooter crashed into them from behind, knocking them off their feet.

As they lay stunned on the ground the rider, a middle-aged woman, drove off shouting "I have to go to Tesco."

 

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/Mobility-scooter-leaves-couple-injured.6614258.jp

 

alot of people are being lazy and using these and quite a few i notice are overweight people, to me thats just lazy.

[duffers]

a friend of mine used to hire a mobility scooter when she went shopping after she had an operation which left her - in the short term - using crutches:

apparently some rental places are quite strict on hiring them out - they have to be convinced that you can handle it - you can't just turn up on spec and take off in one

 

the downside of going shopping with her when she was using it was simply - that she could shop ALL day - didn't get tired you see, everyone else was on their knees *-)

she loved it :D

[duffers]

leon - 2010-11-05 10:28 AM

 

Well i read this article this morning and the jist of it is

 

"June Petty, 69, was left with a broken pelvis and spent 10 days in hospital while her husband Ken Petty suffered cuts and bruises after being involved in the "hit and run".

The couple were walking near their home in Mexborough, near Rotherham, whe

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n the battery-powered scooter crashed into them from behind, knocking them off their feet.

As they lay stunned on the ground the rider, a middle-aged woman, drove off shouting "I have to go to Tesco."

 

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/Mobility-scooter-leaves-couple-injured.6614258.jp

 

alot of people are being lazy and using these and quite a few i notice are overweight people, to me thats just lazy.

 

 

 

Bridlington's rife with the damn things - I'm sure they're having drag racing along the prom

[flicka]

duffers - 2010-11-05 10:40 AM

 

a friend of mine used to hire a mobility scooter when she went shopping after she had an operation which left her - in the short term - using crutches:

apparently some rental places are quite strict on hiring them out - they have to be convinced that you can handle it - you can't just turn up on spec and take off in one

 

the downside of going shopping with her when she was using it was simply - that she could shop ALL day - didn't get tired you see, everyone else was on their knees *-)

she loved it :D

 

But that's where the difference lies Duffers.

 

The best known source of hire, particularlyin respect of shopping centres

is Shopmobility.

Shopmobility own/lease the Mobility Scooters, which they hire to the public, so it is in their own interests to ensure the Hirer is capable. But this is generally down to the interpretation of a well meaning Volunteer, who has not received instruction to train Users.

 

One point that is not currently addressed by any legislation or regulation & unfortunately often has serious consequenses, especially where the 8mph capability Mobility Scooters are concerned:-

A very high proportion of Users have no Driving experience (never held a license) or Road sense.

 

The 8mph capability Mobility Scooters, are not designed for internal or footpath use.

 

The majority of Sellers have no post sale interest, choosing to sell the Mobility Scooter to anyone then can, to bag a profit.

 

Again the majorityof Sellers only offer a brief demonstration & very few are able to offer any meaningful User training.

I have yet to find a single Seller or Hirer, (including Shopmobility) who can offer a Certified Training programme for the Users, (which I have never found & certainly doubt if one exists.)

 

So even responsible Users have difficulty getting the help they require.

[ips]

knight of the road - 2010-11-04 12:41 PM

 

a lot of people are genuinly in need of those disabled scooters and it opens a new independant life for them.

But I am sorry to say I think a lot of them are too fat and too idle to walk and use the scooters as an easy option.

 

At last someone as synical as me..............just wait till I show mrs ips. (lol)

[nightrider]

While this thread has been running I have taken pains to observe the people who use these mobility scooters and I would say that a good percentage are well over weight, some of them at a guess I would say are in the 20 stone region.

The combined weight of the scooter and rider would flatten someone like me, do they not have to have public liability insurence?

[Guest pelmetman]

If someone genuinely needs to use a mobility scooter I have every sympathy with them.

 

Not far from where we live there is a village where there are loads of people on MS's , the majority of them have no road sense and seem to think they own the road .

 

Many times I have watched them scooting down the road, park outside the Co-op hop off, a lot of them look as fit, if not fitter than I am and do their shopping on foot, pay for their shopping, carry their bags out to their scooters hop back on and off they go and yes the majority are over weight.

 

Sue

[nightrider]

Not going off topic but all these new fangled names, obese, overweight or they usually say I have got gland problems I prefer the old fashioned word FAT.

There is a mini cab driver that picks up fares in our avenue how the hell he steers his cab is a mystery to me with his big gut flowing like syrup over his steering wheel and everytime you see him he is munching on something, to me he is an accident waiting to happen.

[Mel B]

Did anyone see the 'Daybreak' programme (hosted by Adrian Chiles and Alex what's-her-socks - formerly of the 'One Show') where they had a 'pimped' up drag raceing mobility scooter on?

 

The chap had put a 125cc engine in it and got 65mph out of it and wasn't even trying!!! 8-)

[flicka]

knight of the road - 2010-11-05 4:13 PM

 

While this thread has been running I have taken pains to observe the people who use these mobility scooters and I would say that a good percentage are well over weight, some of them at a guess I would say are in the 20 stone region.

The combined weight of the scooter and rider would flatten someone like me, do they not have to have public liability insurence?

 

Simple answer, NO.

We have Insurance for wife's Mobility Scooter & Wheelchair, which we purchased after some research & it does include Public Liability, BUT it is not Compulsory.

 

For the majority, if they have Insurance, it is often obtained as part of the package from the Mobility Scooter supplier (the one we were offered by the supplier, did NOT include Public Liability).

Again many Users (locally at least) drop the Insurance after the first year.

[Guest JudgeMental]

Ther was an english chap on italian campsite we go to last year. in his 50's with a young happy face, but must have weighed 30 stone? maybe more....He had a mobility scooter and use it everywhere but he did manage to walk into the pool. I just looked at him and thought, so sad and unnecessary, a gastric band would probably give him his life back and be cheaper then the scooter *-)

[duffers]

bear in mind that exercise is difficult if you have mobility problems,

and it is a downward spiral - not easy to get off once you are on, it is much easier to stay fit and slim than get fit and slim

[Mel B]

JudgeMental - 2010-11-06 11:04 AM

 

Ther was an english chap on italian campsite we go to last year. in his 50's with a young happy face, but must have weighed 30 stone? maybe more....He had a mobility scooter and use it everywhere but he did manage to walk into the pool. I just looked at him and thought, so sad and unnecessary, a gastric band would probably give him his life back and be cheaper then the scooter *-)

 

Gastric bands ... don't get me started (no I haven't had and don't need one! :-D ). Someone at work's husband had one done, at great expense and risk as he has a heart condition, and he's as fat as ever he was. Instead of eating one big meal he 'grazes' and has more smaller meals so it hasn't made a jot of difference at all.