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I encountered a middle aged, middle class, bearded hipster (man) riding one of these contraptions today.
He was riding along a path through our local park at approx' 10 mph. It looked like he'd just been to the local shops and was carrying 'stuff' in a backpack. I was riding my bike in the opposite direction - on my way to play on the skate park.
I gave him a dis-approving look (subconsciously) and he stopped his scooter to remonstrate with me about said 'look'
Apparently "it's rude" to judge him for riding his scooter.
I told him that "I don't care if he doesn't like it" and he hopped back on his scooter and toddled off home. I don't think he really understood my complaint!
Am I right in thinking that riding something like that on paths or road is actually illegal?
WWSTW do?
No idea, but the law aside,
what’s the difference between sitting on a two wheeled object at 10mph or standing on it?
WWSTW do?
Not be a bellend?:
It seems that the Government has issued some guidelines on this very topic...
How very useful of them!
Basically illegal except on private land with permission, but to my mind if they're not being a dick on a path I don't really care.
Better than a car for short trips and of I'd had one before my knee replacement life would have been a lot easier out and about
What longdog said.
Unless the rider’s being a Nob.
It's a scooter. That's all we need to know to judge. One up from a Segway one down from an Audi.
Im with longdog and essel here.
The legal standpoint is perfectly clear, but if the rider isn’t being a dick I wouldn’t care.
WWSTW do?
Not be a bellend?:
This, I think. I'm not quite sure what the problem is...
I'd have shown him my t-shirt. That'll learn him.
Either that, or let him get on with it.
I would like to see more of them as they are a great commuting, local shopping, going to places not far away etc,. solution to not using a car. Yes you could use a bike instead but that has the same impact to others as a scooter (i.e. no impact).
I would like to see them made legal for the road so they could be seen in same way as eBikes. Yes I realise they are different because they are 100% powered and don't need to be pushed/pedalled but looking at it sensibly they are a very small vehicle that does 15mph, same as a bike.
Agree re the not being a bellend bit up there.
So the OP was riding a bike on a footpath and he's asking about the legalities of electric scooters......
Technically illegal but I really think it is a bit lame to get wound up by someone on an electric scooter if they are riding considerately. Chill Winston!
Ban them I say and we can then all get on with driving our cars the 200 million journeys of less than a km (in Manchester alone) per year. Heaven forbid we should jump on one of these and pop to the shops when we can use the car instead.
There is a serious point here. Leaving aside the OP who is probably convinced by the "stick" he has received on here. I suspect the hipster got more than disapproving looks and likely had people being rude and aggressive, such is the growing hatred towards anything that tries to share our public space that hasn't paid "road tax"
Why is an electric assist wheelchair not a powered device. I’m which can also be powered by hand? Adding an electric assist to a wheelchair seems to make it fall foul of the law?
Edit found it https://www.gov.uk/mobility-scooters-and-powered-wheelchairs-rules/vehicle-tax-registration-and-insurance
4 mph would be a slow scooter.
the hipster
How have we identified this dangerous criminal as a "hipster", btw.
If he's not riding like a dick, then live and let live....
Simpsons Lynch mob?
How have we identified this dangerous criminal as a “hipster”, btw.
I didnt. The OP did.
How have we identified this dangerous criminal as a “hipster”, btw.
He had a beard for god's sake. I think this just shows up the prejudices of the OP more than anything but then reason doesn't seem to be a strong point.
He had a beard for god’s sake.
WWJD? Have a shave?
Who gives a sh1t that a guy is on a electric scooter with a beard on a pavement in a park. Would you have given a child the same look whilst doing this (though they probably wouldn't have a beard)?
You must have more pressing things that keeps you awake at night like the up-coming election or Brexit...
I have a large beard, own an electric car and a hybrid car, and I cycle my mountain bike and road bike on the pavement regularly (to avoid being hit by cars) and I ride my kids hover board through parks. I must be a member of extinction rebellion for this hipster behaviour.....
I'd of started with a light punch to the face
OP sounds like a right judgemental bellend.
next !
and I ride my kids hover board through parks. I must be a [s]member of extinction rebellion for this hipster behaviour…..[/s] Time Traveller
I have a large beard,
If you're going to brag please be humble.
The worst thing about this is thread there's no easy portmanteau word for "hipster on a scooter" hooter? scoopster? Actually no, we need to unpack:
I gave him a dis-approving look (subconsciously) and he stopped his scooter to remonstrate
Now that truly is impressive. I speak as someone who can unknowingly go about looking a little stern from time to time. But actual passers stopping and remonstrating is next level stuff. After he reads this thread it'll be traffic and angry crowds.
OP clearly has a 'subconscious' death glare to rival Greta Thunberg.
I see quite a few people riding electric scooters on the roads in Cambridge. I do wonder how they get on with car drivers, do they just get treated like cyclist, or get any more agro?
We've had few rad transportation startups throw them to the pavements this summer. I often encounter them parked or lying on their side in the middle of bike paths, but I guess that's users' fault, not the companies.
Apparently they don't replace cars or bikes much, but rather people use them to get to the bus stop, etc., in stead of walking, so the enviromental impact is negligible to negative.
Also, there's been about 20 cases of riders requiring facial reconstruction surgery, plus hundreds of lesser injuries. When alcohol, darkness, teacup-sized front wheels and a high center of gravity interface with tram tracks and cobbles, unpleasant things can happen.
I keep telling myself I'm okay with them, but I don't know if it's working very well, judging from what I just wrote.
OP clearly has a ‘subconscious’ death glare to rival Greta Thunberg
Maybe my 'resting face' looks judgmental to some???
I will confess to thinking "hmmm that's illegal mate" when I saw him. Up until that point I hadn't really given the issue much thought and I'm not normally unpleasant to anyone. That includes beardy hipsters. So make of the encounter what you will 🙂
I suggest that this chap had had previous negative encounters with other members of the public and was therefore in possession of a large chip what was residing upon his shoulder!
The Barrister for the Defence will now rest 🙂