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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

...to think that scooters shouldn't be used at the zoo?

38 replies

SoozyWoozy · 15/04/2012 19:32

I'm really not sure if I was just being stressy and intolerant and therefore BU, or if I genuinely have a point?!

We took our 3 DCs to the zoo over the Easter holidays. I expected it to be busy, but it was really busy - normally not a problem. The crowds, the scooters and me really didn't mix.

My DCs all have scooters, but I wouldn't let them use them at the zoo or in a very busy place. I was surprised at how many children were on scooters at the zoo - and they really were a nuisance. The zoo we were at is very open and hilly, so the children were making the most of the environment and zooming around. I'm sure they were having a great time, but dodging them and pulling my DCs out of the way of a collision about to happen wasn't so much fun. The parents were seemingly no-where to be seen, and so the children weren't being told to be careful, slow down etc.

I've always thought of scooters as entertainment in themselves - What's wrong with walking, talking to each other and taking it all in - these kids were just bombing around... expensive entry into a hilly park really

So, am I an U, grumpy old moo?! :)

OP posts:

Sirzy · 15/04/2012 19:34

I agree with you, scooters are for gardens/parks/walk to school etc as far as I am concerned and not for use in busy public places. Almost as annoying as heelies but not quite!

Sparklingbrook · 15/04/2012 19:35

No you are not a grumpy old moo. Those scooters are a PITA. there was a thread last week where IIRC there was a lady shopping with a buggy and 3 children on scooters.

There is a time and a place. IE the park.

WorraLiberty · 15/04/2012 19:36

I don't know but it's not as bad as scooters on the bloody school run.

I've lost count of the amount of tiny children who have shot past me...their parents left for dust in the distance and cars reversing out of driveways/parking on the pavements (legally here)

It's as though their precious little feet can't cope with walking when Mum and Dad's car's off the road.

gafhyb · 15/04/2012 19:36

YANBU. It's lazy and unsafe for others

ilovemydogandMrObama · 15/04/2012 19:37

they are banned at Bristol Zoo.

Sparklingbrook · 15/04/2012 19:38

On the school run the parents are invariably carrying the scooters.

manicbmc · 15/04/2012 19:38

Surely if you go to the zoo, it's to look at the animals? If their kids wanted to go on scooters why didn't they take them to a park ffs.

I get really hacked off with parents who let their kids take scooters into the city centre. There is a time and a place.

Sirzy · 15/04/2012 19:40

I had a child scoot into my trolley in asda a few weeks back, when the mother appeared she started to give me a gobful because apparently I should have been watching out for her child?? Errmm how about you leave the scooter at home and take responsibility for your own child?

WorraLiberty · 15/04/2012 19:44

I pulled a scooter riding child (3yrs) out of the path of a reversing car once on the way to school.

I felt really bad because I pulled her off her scooter by her hair... but it happened as quick as a flash and that's all I could think to do instinctively.

She cried her heart out and shied away from me every time she saw me after that

kerchow · 15/04/2012 19:46

Nope, YANBU. We visited London Zoo at the beginning of the Easter holidays and there were loads of kids on scooters and some on balance bikes and pushing toy buggies. Trying to navigate round them was hard work. Both DH & I commented on it & couldn't understand why people would pay for the zoo when they could have a play in Regents Park for free!

Original poster

SoozyWoozy · 15/04/2012 19:49

Phew, glad I'm not the only one!

I could, of course, go on and on about the rest of the unsupervised, unruly, undisciplined children who were there to climb over the enclosures, bang on the windows etc etc. And why is there that one child who seems to follow you?! My eldest DC had her hands trampled on by one girl who was climbing around the walls, who bumped into her (with scooter) and scared a monkey DC was watching...

OP posts:

lazylula · 15/04/2012 19:49

They are banned at Colchester Zoo, good job too, it would be a nightmare around there if children were whizzing around on scooters!

Sunscorch · 15/04/2012 19:52

You know, there's really no better place for whizzing about on those scooters than the wide open, smooth floor of a shopping centre.

gafhyb · 15/04/2012 19:54

Sunscorch

Or what about a multi-story car park?

gafhyb · 15/04/2012 19:54

storey

Sirzy · 15/04/2012 19:56

soozy I could join you in going on and on about the behaviour of other children. If one more brat child had pushed 2 year old DS out of the way in the sea life centre the other day so they could see I was going to flip!

diamondsonthesolesofhershoes · 15/04/2012 20:02

I think it would be quicker to say where scooters are appropriate tbh.
Where we live they are EVERYWHERE. But I have to say that grabbing a little boy from riding in front of a bus finally made my mind up for me. The feeling when I saw the mangled scooted sticks with me even now.
They should be carried/pushed apart from on wide pavements with railings/walls between the walkway and the road and safe open spaces!

Wolfiefan · 15/04/2012 20:06

Bloody scooters! I have lost count of the number of times one has nearly taken out my 2 year old DD on the way home from collecting DS from school. Take them to the park or use them in your garden but quit racing up and down crowded pavements grrrr

wildstrawberryplace · 15/04/2012 20:07

Was in the Science Museum (South Ken) last week. Lots of 3-6 yr old on mini micro scooters INSIDE the museum. WTAF? I actually did a WTAF look at the mother of the first one, but she just looked at me blankly - then I saw at least 4 other children on mini micros over the whole museum, so it's obviously the done thing in some social groups.

AKMD · 15/04/2012 20:07

If you were at Whipsnade then I think YABU. It's a huge open space and a long walk round for small people.

If anywhere else then YANBU.

gafhyb · 15/04/2012 20:08

wild - yes.

HerBigChance · 15/04/2012 20:10

I have seen parents allowing children to ride scooters in tube stations (FFS). It's ludicrous. I wish supermarkets would ban them outright.

ddubsgirl · 15/04/2012 20:12

ugh was loads in town the other day and small kids on bikes,why???parents walking so why do they need a bike?running into you banging ankles etc!

TidyDancer · 15/04/2012 20:13

Scooters and those fucking annoying heely shoes are always in use in supermarkets. It's like some parents have a brain bypass.

Original poster

SoozyWoozy · 15/04/2012 20:30

No, not at Whipsnade. We were at Marwell, which is quite open but it was so busy that there wasn't a lot of space iyswim. And some of the hills are quite steep, so they were picking up a fair speed. (And none of them had any safety gear on, so would've done some serious damage coming off)

We were thinking of taking DD2 for her birthday in the summer, but it really has put me off going again. Actually, I would go another time but don't want her birthday to be stressful.

OP posts:

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