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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Aibu about scooter.

38 replies

crje · 12/09/2014 11:05

Ds just started Uni 8km from home.
He is currently cycling with heavy bag . Dh suggested getting him a scooter . I see his point it does tick lots of boxes

I come from quite an anti motorbike family. My kids were never getting one but now ds needs one.

OP posts:

Original poster

crje · 12/09/2014 11:06

Posted too soon.

Aibu to consider getting Ds19 a scooter.

OP posts:

IHeartKingThistle · 12/09/2014 11:11

Oh it's such a tricky one. My dad made me promise never to get one, and I didn't - he accidentally knocked a young girl off a scooter about 40 years ago (she was fine) and he never got over it really. Terrified it would happen to his kids.

Is he sensible generally? Can he learn to drive?

LatteLoverLovesLattes · 12/09/2014 11:13

Nothing wrong with cycling - much better for him, it's only 8km. Presuming he's a healthy 19yo, a 'heavy bag' is not a big deal.

Also, I can't see why you feel any different about a bike and a scooter?!

GuybrushThreepwoodMP · 12/09/2014 11:18

Why not stick with cycling? Get a trailer if the bag is that heavy.

I had a scooter. Never had an accident but it did get nicked about twice a year. Paying my insurance excess every time ended up costing me an absolute fortune.

HaroldsBishop · 12/09/2014 11:57

If he's cycling on the road anyway it's probably safer to be on a scooter tbh - at least then you are able to travel at the same speed as other traffic, and you're noisier and easier to spot.

Notso · 12/09/2014 12:09

He's an adult, why are you talking about him like he's a child?

Original poster

crje · 12/09/2014 12:50

He'll still be my child when he's 50 notso.
We would make the purchase so its a decision I want to be ok with.
Ive no experience of scooters.

Cycling requires a change of clothes & he hasn't access to showers.

OP posts:

Notso · 12/09/2014 12:54

I know he will always be your child but he isn't a child.

If he has a problem at the age of 19 he is old enough to sort it out for himself.

superbagpuss · 12/09/2014 12:57

I am coming from the other side of the coin if you want a different point of view?

If getting a car is out of the question (which I assume it is) then I would get a scooter, they are very reasonably priced and are so much safer now.

The bike show in Birmingham will be in November, if you went he could try out all the major models and you could get a feeling what would be sensible for him. Its also a great oppotunity to but jackets/boots etc as he should still be wearing protective gear and of course a good helmet. Will he have somewhere at uni to store this?

Even if he has a car licence I would recomment a CBT at the least as bike riding is a different skill to car driving. If he has no license then look into what he needs to be able to do to ride legally.

And finally what does your son want?

OldLadyKnowsSomething · 12/09/2014 12:57

What kind of scooter are you thinking about? Why a scooter rather than a motorbike? 50cc scooters/mopeds are great for round town, but with a top speed around 30mph they're a hazard on the open road. At 19 ds can get 125cc (top speed about 70-ish) which is also nippy round town and can keep up with traffic in national speed limit areas.

ifyourehoppyandyouknowit · 12/09/2014 12:57

8km is a half hour ride? He shouldn't need a shower after if he is doing it every day. Wet wipes and some deoderant will do? Get him some proper panniers or a small trailer.

KatieKaye · 12/09/2014 12:58

How about getting him paniers for the bike rather than a rucksack? That will be safer as the load will be better distributed
You don't necessarily need a shower after cycling - people cycled for years and didn't get in a sweaty lather. If he takes it a reasonable pace he'll be fine.
The trouble with scooters is that you have enough power to get into trouble but not enough power to get away from it, if you see what I mean.
But at 19 I would expect DS to be making his own decisions re travel arrangements. Just leave it up to him. 8km is no distance for a healthy youngster to cycle, with or without books.

Original poster

crje · 12/09/2014 12:59

aibu to ask notso to add nothing further to this thread.

OP posts:

KatieKaye · 12/09/2014 13:02

Yes, it is unreasonable to post on a public forum and then ask someone not to respond.
Why don't you want to hear notso's opinion? It's perfectly reasonable to expect a 19 year old male to sort out travel arrangements for a short daily commute.

Fudgeface123 · 12/09/2014 13:06

I kind of agree with notso, why can't your son who is a man decide how he wants to travel to/from uni?

DoJo · 12/09/2014 13:10

But he has already sorted out travel arrangements - he is cycling. His parents want some advice as to the best alternative to offer him, which I think is perfectly reasonable. It's certainly not deserving of snide remarks and criticism, especially given that the OP specifically asked for advice on the issue at hand rather than for thoughts on whether she should even be involved in her son's travel arrangements.

MagratGarlik · 12/09/2014 13:11

Superbagpuss, a CBT is a legal requirement, not a recommendation, even if you have a car licence.

If he's already riding a push-bike, he's not going to be less safe on a scooter. Just make sure he wears proper protective clothing, boots and gloves. It may "only" be a scooter, but if he comes off, road rash at 30mph is not pretty. Proper protective clothing (not jeans, trainers and a hoody) really is essential.

He's 19, though, so why not get a 125 bike, rather than a scooter (tend to get taken more seriously than cars) and then on top of the cbt, pay for lessons for an A2 licence? At least then he will learn defensive riding skills etc and will be better equipped to keep himself safe.

Don't get a 50cc scooter though, the inability to get enough speed to get out of a problem should one occur, can be frankly dangerous.

MagratGarlik · 12/09/2014 13:14

Carrying the heavy bag will still be a problem though even with a scooter or motorbike. You'd need a top-box for a scooter, which can't carry too much because the extra weight will make the whole thing unstable and for a motorbike, you'd need paniers. It wouldn't be safe for him to ride whilst carrying the bag, it will upset his balance on the bike.

superbagpuss · 12/09/2014 13:14

MagratGarlik thanks for the point - my knowledge is a few years out of date and I have never caught up with the new A1/A2 laws.

I learned on a 125 bike aged 21 and now can theorectically ride any bikes I liked (the only thing stopping me is stubby legs)

whois · 12/09/2014 13:14

8km isn't very far by bike. I do that and don't have to shower at work if I go at something less than my max speed.

Like a PP said baby wipes and reapply deodorant would be fine. Or just a change of tshirt.

Get decent panniers which will stop him getting a sweaty back from his bag. I have a nice pannier bag which becomes a normal bag so it's easy to carry off bike too. There are some very stylish men's ones about.

MagratGarlik · 12/09/2014 13:16

I have stubby legs too. I'm not going to let it stop me.

KatieKaye · 12/09/2014 13:17

DoJo - I'm puzzled as to why parents are even considering buying a scooter for a 19 year old male who chooses to cycle on a short commute? he's an adult and has presumably made this choice for himself - it keeps him fit, has virtually no running costs and doesn't pollute the atmosphere. I'd be applauding him, not trying to interfere with his very sensible choices.

superbagpuss · 12/09/2014 13:19

MagratGarlik I'm waiting for the new Honda 300R to come out as it should be low enough, I'm just slightly too short for the 500R

I do want a NM4 Vultus but at 10k a pop its not going to be soon

(sorry to derail thread)

Fatmanbuttsam · 12/09/2014 13:24

Oh I like the Honda....want.....

I started on a Ninja 500....excellent for those of us who have vertically challenged legs....I have a retro bike now

8k isn't far on a bicycle.....I go further than that to work on my bicycle and dont have showers available....fresh clothes and deodorant work just fine

Fatmanbuttsam · 12/09/2014 13:26

We should start a bikers thread and trade details of bikes for short legs

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