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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Rant about scooters!

95 replies

singlemama91 · 08/10/2021 09:05

To be pissed off at all of the people (adults and kids) that are iresponsible and just dangerous with the electric scooters!

This is my first thread on Mumsnet so please be nice but I just needed to get this off my chest. They drive them dangerously on pavements and park them so that if you have a pushchair you have to go on to the road to get around them.

They should ban them all. I thought it was just a tempory thing but it seems like there are more everyday! Its not just kids either but so called responsible adults as well. Although i have definitely noticed that it is majority men that use them and not women. Maybe we are more sensible. Does anyone else think this?

OP posts:
Caramellatteplease · 08/10/2021 09:07

No they just need to regulate them.

Ellarain · 08/10/2021 09:07

Ban them, far too dangerous.

Original poster
singlemama91 · 08/10/2021 09:12

@Ellarain I agree! I know its about saving the planet and all but we managed fine without them before.

@Caramellatteplease Arent they regulated already?

OP posts:
AlCalavicci · 08/10/2021 09:14

It's the fact that they are so quiet that gets me. , I have been startled a few times when the have nipped past me of come round a corner .
I know bicycles are just as quiet but they tend not to be so fast.
I agree ideally they should be regulated but how and by whom ?

That said I saw one a few weeks ago that had lights on the front and back , the guy had a hi vis and helmet on and was taking his time and avoiding people well on a pedestrian area.

mikedyson · 08/10/2021 09:14

Around here the main users are intimidating teenage boys who ride round with a “get the fuck out of the way” attitude. The Police take no notice.

Tinpotspectator · 08/10/2021 09:16

I quite like them, but not in city centres.

TamponSupport · 08/10/2021 09:20

I've only ever seen men using them. Yesterday had to follow one through the village, middle of the main road, wearing headphones, didn't bother to indicate when he turned across the road to get to the bike path.

They're doing a trial in our neighbouring town in the residential area which is already a 20 zone, no parking in the roads around the secondary school and dropping it down to 15.

Tinkywinkydinkydoo · 08/10/2021 09:20

I purchased one for my son a few years back, I naively thought speeds of up to 8mph wouldn’t be that fast, I was wrong! He’s been on it twice , total waste of money but I fear for him every time he goes on it! The police keep putting up posts saying they’re illegal unless on private ground but no one pays attention or gets reprimanded.

Generallystruggling · 08/10/2021 09:22

Yet to see a woman on one where I live, it’s usually fully grown men reliving their childhood and occasionally teenage boys. They are dangerous, I agree and they have caused serious injuries.

Original poster
singlemama91 · 08/10/2021 09:23

@Tinkywinkydinkydoo

I purchased one for my son a few years back, I naively thought speeds of up to 8mph wouldn’t be that fast, I was wrong! He’s been on it twice , total waste of money but I fear for him every time he goes on it! The police keep putting up posts saying they’re illegal unless on private ground but no one pays attention or gets reprimanded.
I saw that they are illegal but for some reason that doesnt seem to matter! When will the police start doing something about it?
OP posts:
SoupDragon · 08/10/2021 09:26

I think they are a great idea. I would love for them to be come fully legal (you can legally hire them in some cities) but they do need to be regulated.

SoupDragon · 08/10/2021 09:27

I've seen several women on them here.

TheFlis12345 · 08/10/2021 09:27

I am female and used to commute on one when I lived in London during lockdown, as did several of my friends. In the right hands they are perfectly safe. I have nearly been ploughed down by cyclists (male and female, of all ages) numerous times though…..

CyclingIsNotOuting · 08/10/2021 09:29

Plenty of women here using them for the school run. On the roads. With no helmets.

Poor kids. I saw a police car drive past one this morning. Wasn’t bothered.

Although I admit it’s the young lads using them round here that I find a bit intimidating/dangerous.

Original poster
singlemama91 · 08/10/2021 09:45

@CyclingIsNotOuting For the school run? How do they manage that? Seems very dangerous to me!

OP posts:
ErrolTheDragon · 08/10/2021 09:46

They should be regulated. I'd have thought they should be treated much like mopeds, or at least bikes. They certainly should not be on pavements unless they're designated multi-use.

In theory they're a good idea. If I lived somewhere with suitable pavements I'd happily use DDs old (unpowered) micro scooter to nip around on.

Pikamoo · 08/10/2021 09:49

I think they need to be regulated but not sure why they should be banned. No different to bikes in my opinion, there'll always be a few knobs whatever the mode of transport.

We have an electric scooter and I love it for getting around. DH uses it to take DD to the park sometimes.

LoislovesStewie · 08/10/2021 09:50

Does the user have insurance? They should not be on the pavements either. Where I live we also have oldies on mobility scooters who think they are in pole position in a Grand Prix. Between both sets of users my life is in my hands when I walk on the pavements.

Grenlei · 08/10/2021 09:51

YANBU OP.

They're illegal for use outside of the trial areas, and in those areas are subject to strict control and regulation, covered by compulsory insurance, you have to be over 18, have a driving licence etc. All of this should be minimum requirements.

Anyone riding one illegally is a fucking idiot.

CyclingIsNotOuting · 08/10/2021 09:55

@singlemama91 yep. Have their child at the front by the handlebars. Book bag over the shoulder. They stand towards the back. Unfortunately not uncommon here.
So irresponsible.

PineappleWilson · 08/10/2021 09:56

I've only seen one being used by a woman. She had the version with a seat on, and had a primary aged child sat on the seat whilst she balanced behind the child. Not sure that's any safer than the young lads tbh. I think they could be a good idea if properly managed but the governments "some areas can use them as a trial but nowhere else can" isn't it.

MumOfTwoChildren · 08/10/2021 09:57

They're everywhere in my area, regularly see groups of school kids heading home on them, most people I've seen are very responsible, safe and respectful of others when using one.
I was on a bus a few weeks back and a bloke was on a scooter following the bus into the city, it's roughly 6 miles! Kept overtaking each other, made a usually boring journey a bit more fun.

I do think they should have helmets on though and maybe a high visibility jacket, have never seen anyone wearing one, also a light would be good especially now it gets dark earlier, they're very difficult to see at night, the ones in my area do have indicators but other than that there's not really any lights

mikedyson · 08/10/2021 09:59

When will the police start doing something about it?
My money is on never. There is pretty much zero enforcement of anything by the Police around here - lots of highly illegal cars and motorcycles too, and dodgy driving.

3scape · 08/10/2021 10:03

It's time for a massive overhaul. More roads for scooters/ bikes and walking and less for cars around public buildings and centres. The only way to actually get rid of too many cars and shitty parking is to plan for those not using a car. My local teso can only be accessed on foot from one angle unless you walk in the road at two other entrances, that's crazy. It's cars that should be forced to go round as in theory it's only a tiny part of their whole journey.

mumwon · 08/10/2021 10:20

They shouldn't be on footpaths full stop
They should have training to use which includes a computerised questionnaire on road usage
They should wear helmets & not for use for underaged children (except on private land)
& I wish mobility scooter users had training & questionnaires on using on footpaths - because many do not appreciate that they need to give way to pedestrians & limit their speed - there is an assumption for some people (not all!) that they don't have to (ie priority)
Youngish man in supermarket speeding down what he thought was an empty isle - scared me because it was virtually silent & dc toddlers could easily run in front