Adults on scooters

[slugsinmygarden]

I keep seeing grown adults using scooters to get around.

AIBU thinking they all look like complete knobs?

With all the usual disclaimers that I'm talking about safe sensible scooting, not dangerous to others.

I must say 'grown-ups' on scooters always make me smile! My DH seriously thought of getting one when they first came out as he commutes to and from work each day and it involves a mile-long walk each way. Would love to see the scooting 80-year old!

NothingIsOK, I hate bikes as well, however since most adults use them on the roads, cannot moan in the same way. Bikes tend to actually get you places quicker as well, soocters barely go much faster and lack brakes. Plus, people on scooter seem to show no understanding of the space around them. Once on a scooter/bike etc you are taking the space of about 2/3 people. Yet everyone else has to move out of the way to avoid the twat on wheels having to stop and 'break their motion'. Adults on scooters do look silly, they are children's activity toys, not a sporty method of travel. I'd think the same of any adult travelling around on a space hopper or a pogo stick....

The scooter brand that seems to be most popular, the one starting with M. It's a Swiss brand/company. The founder initially developed a product for adults. He was wondering how to improve getting around, when it is just a little bit too far to walk (for lazy sods like myself), but not far enough to make it worth getting out your bike. So he developed a scooter for adults. It was hugely successful.

For a few years, in places like Zurich, the streets were populated with businessmen, bankers, CEOs etc in suits scooting to/from work, scooting to get a sandwich for lunch, scooting to meetings. It has tapered off now.

The kiddie scooters are just a lucrative spin-off.

So, YABU. Scooters are MEANT for adults.

In our family we have a scooter each. We go to the park on a Sunday, and rather than having whining kiddies complaining 'I don't want to go for a walk!', we go for a scoot instead and all enjoy it. Also beats watching the kids have fun - we join in instead; and is much better than running around after them!

YABU
My mum is in her 70s and uses one after her knee op as it gives less pain than walking.
YABVU to call people like my mum 'Knobs' why be so rude, people's choices how to get around are made on better reasons than 'how they look'

Don't most scooters have breaks? Mine does and it's not an expensive one, it cost €12.50.

It's adults on scooters who treat pavements like roads that do my head in and earn the "knob" label. Going really fast, practically pushing pedestrians out of the way, swerving round people. I get it must be fun to go fast and they feel all whooshy and free and youthful wheeeeeee but it's shit for everyone else trying to use a pavement. If I ever saw an adult scooter-er using a cycle lane, I'd probably judge a little because I am a cow but not really care otherwise. Same with commuting rollerbladers.

The whooshy people are in a different category in my head to people described in posts above like the immobile 80 year old and the post-knee operation lady (well, I've never seen any adult scooter rider other than the whooshy ones but if I had, they'd be in a different category).

only when they force small children off the pavement

Aside from push chairs and wheel chairs, nothing with wheels should be on pavements. I have had my ankles sliced too often now to be tolerant.

I occasionally scoot the childrens home from school. They are much quicker that walking and a workout! I bought the eldest an adult scooter so we can share.

Why people feel the need to judge I don't know. People do stare at me as they get in their car to drive.

as long as the rider is aware of other pavement users what 's the matter with it ?

MadameCholetsDirtySecret
What about tartan shopping trolleys?

Firstly, it is illegal to ride a scooter in the road so the pavement is the only place you can scoot to school. Ds2 can ride his at walking pace as we chat whilst he scoots his way to school.

I ride the scooter after school drop off because it is easier than carrying it. It isn't a cheap £10 argos one so it isn't lightweight.

I also go to those trampoline places and have a bounce. Is that meant to be just for children too?

My scooter has a brake.
I scoot responsibly.
I even wear a helmet so as not to set a bad example to scooting kiddies.
And I have mobility troubles.

But still, apparently, I'm a twat and look silly. Meh. Sod the lot of you. I'm going to wear purple, dye my hair teal blue and get a tattoo, just to pass you off a bit more.

fair enough tartan trollers too!

Some people say this about bikes.

Nobs.

Whatever.

If I wasn't such a self conscious fatty I'd ride one for sure. They're fun. A lot less boring than walking the school run.

It is possible to ride a scooter or bike & not be a twat. The same way it's possible to drive and not be a twat, but there are twatty drivers.

I really should give less of a fuck about what people think I look like riding a scooter...maybe I'll buy one before the school holidays. Much easier to keep up with roller skating/bike riding/scooter riding children as well as fun.

I want to get one so I can ditch the car on the school run. Since part of it is on a tube train, bikes are not allowed, but folded scooters are. It would reduce the subsequent walk from 30 mins to about half that. I would scoot on the road, or at least the section before the gridlocked A road!

YABU. I never had a scooter as a kid, so I got one at the age of 19, and rode it everywhere. Adults on scooters are far less worse than entitled pavement cyclists who ring their bells, expecting pedestrians to move out of the way or who shout "move out of the way, I'm not stopping", kill someone, and walk away from court with a tiny fine worth a fraction of the value of their bike

I scoot on my daughters when I'm on my way to pick her up. Seems a bit daft carrying it. It's great fun, goes way too fast (thank god for the brakes) and gets me to school in half the time. I acknowledge I look like a bit of a knob but I don't give a shit.

YABU. Yes, adults do look a little silly on them but they're fun. The only reason I don't zoom about on one is because I don't want to look like a knob.

Yabu

YANBU to say they look like knobs, but YWBU to judge people who ride them. I am 39 and my mobility isn't great for my age - I have joint and ligament problems everywhere, the ligaments in my right foot are totally shot (permanently) and I can't walk any sort of distance. I have a CoxSwain adult scooter, and it has given me a new lease of life. It was either that, or a mobility scooter, which I don't feel ready for yet. Finally, I can keep up with my kids, my husband and my friends, and I'm getting more exercise than I was before. I wish I'd thought of it years ago.

I am super considerate, and will get off and push if passing anyone. I've had a few sniggers and comments, which I did expect, but am very happy to explain the situation if necessary. However, I tend to save my breath these days and let people decide I look like a knob if they want to - the last time someone asked questions and I explained my hidden disability, he replied by saying "I think someone's been smoking wacky baccy". Charming!

I have one, it's the only way I can keep up with my little ones when they're using theirs. I don't care what anyone else thinks, judge away :D