To insist son sells e-scooter

[Tuxedocatty]

16 year old son got himself part time job, very pleased about that. Less pleased when he announced he’d spent first paypacket on a massive e-scooter bought off some unidentified mate. I’ve told him he has to sell it as there’s no way he can legally ride it (we live in a town) plus they’re a menace to everyone else and he could kill himself. Also we’ve already had the police around this summer to ‘have a word’ about low level antisocial behaviour. He’s claiming as he bought it with his own money we can basically eff off. His mates parents are all cool with them apparently. We’ve told him if it’s stored on our property it’s going to the tip. It’s escalating daily. AIBU?

I think there are a few issues.

There would be no way would he be charging it in my house. They have caused too many house fires.

It's illegal to ride it on a road,in a park or on a footpath. Where does he intend using it? If the police catch him, he will probably get an endorsement on his future driving licence, meaning his insurance will be even more unaffordable.

I bet he has no intention of using a crash helmet, so he stands every chance of being seriously injured.

If my ds told me to fuck off, he'd be looking for a bedsit. Sorry, but my house, my rules.

I think probably the best thing to do is report him to the police. Let them confiscate and crush it.

It would have been better for him to get his CBT and buy a 50cc scooter than one of those things! Maybe you can persuade him to do that instead?

Your son told you to fuck off? He would be out the door as soon as he picked himself off the floor if i was his parent. He is obviously on a path of self destruction as you have already had the Police knocking on your door. If he wants to lead a life of criminality tou need to tell him to live elsewhere.

Don’t threaten what you won’t carry out… take it to the skip!

My concern would be that he didn't buy it off a mate, but that he'd been groomed into County Lines and this was given to him so he could be a distributor.

Sorry.

Take it to the tip. They are antisocial and illegal.

These things are a liability. The people that use them generally have no road sense (which nowadays is no different to people in cars) and cause all sorts of near misses or worse. My DD is banned from using them.

they’re not legal so where is he expecting to use them? In my area, they have a voi trial that’s been going on for many years but everyone complains how dangerous they are and there have been serious injuries and deaths.

I’d give him the money he paid for it and bin it.

Where does he plan to recharge it as they are a proven fire risk. Is he still at school/college? If no, he should be making a contribution from his wages to the running of the home.

He sells it or he and his scooter leave. Too many children coming to harm or dying on them and where will he legally use it?

Illegal but also a fire risk. Tell him to watch the new South Park episode.

Because of the battery the tip might not take it. Have you considered burying it in the garden or chucking it into a quiet part of a river?

are you actually serious?

I saw a man on one illegally on the road, doing about 30mph, he hit a parked car and went flying through the air (no helmet, of course)
Buying something stupid with your first wages is a rite of passage, but a fire hazard that he can't use anywhere is just pointless. He's already in trouble with police and told you to fuck off?

What the actual FUCK?

This is extreme. Just take it to the local supermarket and leave it outside unlocked. Some other gobby youth will steal it and then it's no longer your problem.

So it just becomes someone else's problem? Very irresponsible.

He's 16. He's a child. It's not up to him.

Well, if you’ve watched any of the police update videos you’ll know that if he gets caught there is the potential for points on your license as the parent allowing him to ride it, so… up to you how you handle the situation in that knowledge.

Hows he supposed to do his drug dealing now?? (Tongue in Cheek) because that's who I see riding around doing it in my home town

DO NOT CHUCK IT IN THE RIVER
How stupid is that!???????

I work in the fire service. We’ve had so many fires caused by these, including some deaths.

I live in a (non-UK) city where they are an absolute menace and sadly there are regularly fires caused by people leaving the stupid things in apartment storage areas or charging them overnight. It terrifies me as I can’t control what the neighbours do.

help him navigate getting his cbt and a legal 125cc motorcycle plus proper safety gear. If you don’t know much about bikes, look up your local bike meet up group and they will probably be happy to guide him. Safe motorcycles are legal but he needs to be taught safe riding

Surely you (and the others tbf) don’t actually believe that post do you?

You remind me of my mum. No way I would ever have said that to her. When I was 17 and she was dieing of cancer she still gave me a slap if I was cheeky (I was 6ft 2 and fully grown at the time)

Bomb him out for disrespecting your rules