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AIBU?

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Original poster

Electric scooter & would you report it?

54 replies

BreakfastMuffin · 19/05/2016 17:58

So my ds wants to ride an electric scooter and as I understand it they aren't legal to ride unless you have a private land owner's permission. We have a big farmer's field nearby with footpaths that people use for cycling or walking the dogs ( only very few people, you rarely see someone there) My DH says someone will see him on the scooter and report to the police and be might get a juvenile criminal record. Would you report it?

OP posts:
Original poster
BreakfastMuffin · 19/05/2016 21:49

He's 14, nearly 15. The road in the field is actually concrete, this won't ruin it.

OP posts:
WhoTheFuckIsSimon · 19/05/2016 21:50

So when someone is walking along with an off lead dog and your son is coming towards them at high speed on it is he going to stop and let them pass every time??

WhoTheFuckIsSimon · 19/05/2016 21:51

But yes Id probably still report even if it's a concrete path.

Original poster
BreakfastMuffin · 19/05/2016 21:52

Madcapcat - no pushchairs as it's a remote farm field between 2 villages. Only cyclists or occasional dog walkers.

OP posts:
MumOnTheRunCatchingUp · 19/05/2016 21:52

What's the road for them? Sounds like it has a purpose

Is it a public right of way?

He'll have a gaggle of mates in tow egging him on and taking turns. Why would any parent allow this? He is old enough to get himself in trouble with the police

MumOnTheRunCatchingUp · 19/05/2016 21:55

simon dogs yes! I run in places like this.... Headphones in, but I would not expect to encounter this on a run.

What would he do if he injured someone? Shrug it off?

TheFairyCaravan · 19/05/2016 21:55

Why can't he just wait a year then get a moped?

What would you do if he hit someone on that scooter? He could cause a serious injury and he'd have no insurance.

StarkyTheDirewolf · 19/05/2016 22:02

Sounds like a recipe for disaster. We live in an area with teenagers on those mini bikes/electric scooters (and what I'd call a bogey, a flat kind of lie down go kart thing) they are a liability. It won't be long before one of them gets killed.

Original poster
BreakfastMuffin · 19/05/2016 22:14

I think the purpose of the path is for farm vehicles to get through. It's used by combine harvesters and tractors a couple of times a year. As for the dogs, wouldn't it be the same if you were on a push bike?

OP posts:
ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 19/05/2016 22:18

As for the dogs, wouldn't it be the same if you were on a push bike

Er, no. Bikes have proper brakes and wider handlebars which give greater control. They also weigh far less than a steel scooter + batteries + motor. And of course the motor means that the scooter will be travelling very fast, it's narrow steering and small wheels making it hard to control.

MumOnTheRunCatchingUp · 19/05/2016 22:48

What does he want to do? Trundle up and down in a straight line...... Or is he going to be speeding down there and attempting 'stunts'?

Original poster
BreakfastMuffin · 19/05/2016 23:20

We go to the village across the field to the pub sometimes. We use push bikes and he's keen on trying something more exciting than an old fashioned bike..

OP posts:
SistersOfPercy · 19/05/2016 23:28

I confess when dd was five she had a tiny replica petrol harley. She adored it. On the odd warm summer afternoon we'd take her over the field behind our house and she'd ride up and down for half an hour.
Top speed was about 25mph. No prams as the terrain was bumpy but we did encounter the odd dog walker, almost every one of which would stop and talk to her and admire her little bike.

At 14 I'm guessing riding up and down at 25mph in straight lines wouldn't be his priority, though if he was sensible I wouldn't report him.

Sallyingforth · 20/05/2016 09:08

Who do you "report" to if it's not a public place?

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 20/05/2016 11:20

Who do you "report" to if it's not a public place?

Landowner? Although I suspect that it may be a public footpath/ bridleway in the OPs case.

specialsubject · 20/05/2016 11:34

I'd report if he was being a nuisance, which I expect he will be. He's unlikely to be riding it at walking pace.

a push bike can be very exciting. I think BMX is still going and mountain biking certainly is. Point him at a suitable club for those.

Schwabischeweihnachtskanne · 20/05/2016 11:49

Breakfast they won't be legal on pavements in Germany - on cycle paths maybe, maybe not (I'd guess not unless it's an electric pedal bike with battery to help you get up hills) - if it's electric only it would need a registration plate and insurance and you'd have to be over 15 and pass a test to ride it - it would be ridden on the road not pavements or cycle paths.

StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes · 20/05/2016 12:59

I would try and find out who landowner is and get permission. doesn't sound too much of a threat to me if it's rural and not in regular use.

QuinionsRainbow · 20/05/2016 13:38

he's keen on trying something more exciting than an old fashioned bike..

£315 seems expensive for what might turn out to be a one-off experiment.

Original poster
BreakfastMuffin · 20/05/2016 13:47

Yes definitely Rainbow, but he's got his own savings and wants to get one...

OP posts:
Schwabischeweihnachtskanne · 20/05/2016 14:31

How will you get the scooter to the field? Will he ride it on the road? On the pavements?

Would you let him ride a 50 cc petrol moped without licence or insurance on the road as long as he bought it with his own money?

Chippednailvarnishing · 20/05/2016 14:33

Anyone else thinking super soaker Grin

KitKatCustard · 20/05/2016 14:37

I reported kids using quad bikes in the local park a while ago. The PCSO did attend and kept a closer eye on the park for a while after that. Real safety issue.
It's illegal.
For a reason.

BrandNewAndImproved · 20/05/2016 14:44

Where I used to live there was a road called the road to nowhere ad it had been half built but a planning dispute or something stopped it from being finished.

Had a great time riding crappy old mopeds and quad bikes in my early teens.

I would ask the farmer op. If he says it's alright then I'd let your ds buy the bike he wants.

Schwabischeweihnachtskanne · 20/05/2016 14:53

How did you get the old mopeds to the abandoned road Brandnew?

My beloved 125cc scooter was stolen from outside college when I was studying for my masters in the evenings after work, and found burnt out on waste ground where kids were known to ride stolen mopeds and scooters and set fire to them when they ran out of petrol.

He's not got long to wait til he can get a licence - or he could use his savings to do proper motocross days on a proper track, with instruction and insurance. ..