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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To lock DD's scooter at school?

66 replies

Eurydice84 · 30/12/2023 07:38

DS (5yo) asked for one of those Micro scooters with light-up wheels for Xmas. It was her main Xmas present and an expensive purchase (£140), but it should hopefully last her for many years. AIBU to lock the scooter at the school gates? Most kids just leave them unsecured but this is a brand new expensive one and DD would be so upset if it goes missing - she's been wanting one for ages.

OP posts:
Danikm151 · 30/12/2023 08:56

i’d lock it. A lock is relatively cheap and gives peace of mind. if it’s insured and stolen you’ll have a claim if it was locked. If it wasn’t locked then it would be a matter of your fault.

my 3 year old has a bike- we lock it up anywhere we go.

Mariposistaa · 30/12/2023 08:59

Does it not fold down? If it does could she n it fold it and put it with her coat and PE kit?

SaltyGod · 30/12/2023 09:01

No one locks anything at our school bike racks, and I’ve never heard of one being stolen.

But reading this we seem to be in the minority so in your case, just lock it and it’s one less thing to worry about.

FoxClocks · 30/12/2023 09:04

I'd take it home too. I did once see a mum riding home on one of the slightly larger scooters. She was a small woman and the handlebars were adjustable.

QuillBill · 30/12/2023 09:07

I'd take it home too.

If not and you work out how to lock it then buy the lock and get your dd to practice locking it until she can do it properly on her own.

Then she can lock it up at school and people will think the lock is a part of the Christmas present and something she wants to do rather than thinking you are doing it because someone might steal it.

crumblingschools · 30/12/2023 09:09

@Mariposistaa if it is anything like DS’s school there wasn’t enough room for coats and bags by the pegs never mind adding in a scooter

Hoppityhophops · 30/12/2023 09:10

This is the exact reason I bought DS micro scooter second hand so I could be blaise leaving it at school unlocked

Mariposistaa · 30/12/2023 09:17

crumblingschools · 30/12/2023 09:09

@Mariposistaa if it is anything like DS’s school there wasn’t enough room for coats and bags by the pegs never mind adding in a scooter

Ughh that’s a shame. Think at my kid’s there is a bench under the pegs it could be put on. Or could perhaps talk to the class teacher/office although of course it’s not their responsibility to keep it safe. But given that they have had issues with kids arriving in pushchairs in reception 🙄 they would probably welcome a scooter haha

whatsagoodusername · 30/12/2023 09:19

We always locked ours. Not a faff.

The bike racks were on the main road though, so everyone did. School eventually bought scooter racks as lots of kids rode them.

littleducks · 30/12/2023 09:19

Have never locked scooters or bikes at primary school for any of my three, despite being large 3/4 entry. No issues any nobody else complained of any disappearing either.

But if you want to lock it then do so I can't see anyone else being interested or why you need permission from parents on internet who have no idea if your school layout.

My son's bike got stolen outside local shopping mall despite two locks and he was really upset having saved paper round money to buy it. I felt guilty as had bought one of locks (halford triple rated etc) so I miss the days of primary school.

Seeline · 30/12/2023 09:20

My DCs school had special scooter racks as well as bike racks. I think the PTA provided them. Most people locked everything!
This was over 10 yes ago and S London.

Onelifeonly · 30/12/2023 09:21

If there is a way of locking it, and a place to do so that won't block others, why not? I work in a school where lots of kids bring bikes or scooters (mostly scooters). We have three bike racks (3 gates) and most don't lock theirs but some do. It's not embarrassing or weird in any way that I can see?

YellowDots · 30/12/2023 09:21

Ughh that’s a shame. Think at my kid’s there is a bench under the pegs it could be put on. Or could perhaps talk to the class teacher/office although of course it’s not their responsibility to keep it safe. But given that they have had issues with kids arriving in pushchairs in reception 🙄 they would probably welcome a scooter haha

That bench is for sitting on when they realise their shoes are on the wrong feet, not for scooter storage.

No school office is going to store a scooter because the parent doesn't want the inconvenience of carrying it home.

Original poster
Eurydice84 · 30/12/2023 09:29

Locking is not an issue of course, but I don't want to come across as the odd parent who doesn't trust the other kids. Needs must though. I got a lock from Micro (50% off atm) and that will do.

My Micro scooter doesn't fold sadly. Got confused when ordering, so many different models - I thought the "deluxe" did fold but apparently it doesn't. It's quite big so carrying it would be awkward anyways.

It can be used by kids up to 152 cm. I am very petite so scooting back myself would be a possibility (why not, with light up wheels and flower basket...)

OP posts:
bastin · 30/12/2023 09:37

I would lock it up or put it over your shoulder and walk home with it

Or ride it home :d

Shinyandnew1 · 30/12/2023 09:39

We locked bikes and microscooters in the bike rack 10 years ago.

Singleandproud · 30/12/2023 09:40

@Eurydice84 I scooted back on DS on more than one occasion.
It's not a question of not trusting the other children, mistakes happen. If anyone mentioned it to you I'd just turn it back on then and say I was surprised that they didn't lock theirs up as children get confused often and might take the wrong one etc. It's also not just parents that have access to the school grounds, in our area we had a small spat of bike thefts at the start/end of the day and thieves would just come on site and take the bikes at drop off/ pick up time.

Tiredalwaystired · 30/12/2023 09:45

My kids had relatively cheap bikes but I always got them in the habit of using a lock in the school bike rack - that way when they went to high school and needed better bikes it was muscle memory to put the lock on - just another lesson learned in my view.

I didn’t even notice if others did or didn’t use locks to be honest. I’m sure it’s the last thing you would be judged on anyway as people are in a rush in the school run, but so what if they do? You do you.

raspberrybeeret · 30/12/2023 09:55

If you think it's likely to get stolen then yes, but given no one else locks up is it really necessary?

Sirzy · 30/12/2023 09:58

Mariposistaa · 30/12/2023 08:59

Does it not fold down? If it does could she n it fold it and put it with her coat and PE kit?

Most schools barely have enough space for the coats and Pe kits let alone scooters

Ponoka7 · 30/12/2023 10:01

Good scooters go missing at my GC school. Although the school is locked, the fence is climbable. Prams and bikes can no longer be left.

Spookymormonhelldream · 30/12/2023 10:03

Definitely lock it. My son's scooter ('big' Christmas present) was stolen from school.

PeskyPotato · 30/12/2023 10:12

We have one too. We used to lock it up but now carry it home as less faff. Have occasionally left it unlocked and it's been fine, but I was worried and stressed just easier to carry home.

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 30/12/2023 10:14

I’d scoot home on it

Mynewnameis · 30/12/2023 10:18

I'd lock it to the bike rack. Why not... you have the lock. I don't see the issue.