Mobility scooters

I have just started to use a mobility scooter when visiting NT places or other outdoor attractions where they can be hired ( often free)

The first time was at Tatton Park and I was surprised at how easy it was, just pull on a little lever attached to the handlebar and off I went! I could adjust the speed but kept it to the walking pace of my sister who was with me. As soon as I took the hand off the lever, the scooter stopped so rarely needed to use the brakes. I had no problem going backwards although a mirror might have been helpful to see more easily.

The only problem I had was when I foolishly decided to go in the maze, at first the path seemed fine, fairly wide and even. It was not a problem to get round the bends, perhaps as I still drive every day, I have a better judge of space than non drivers. But as we got further into the maze, the path narrowed, tree roots jutted out and the turns got tighter! It’s a hard maze apparently and lots of people were wandering around getting lost and laughing as they met other groups trying to get out! At one point there was not enough room to get the scooter round a tight turn so I had to get off while my sister and I lifted it. I thought we were going to have to phone for help but luckily a lovely young couple helped us by coming back in to find us once they had managed to get out! The moral in - do not take a large scooter into a maze!

As far as using a scooter on pavements, I have considered it as I cannot walk very far and am unable to go shopping really. But it’s a pride thing for me, I’d feel embarrassed for friends to see me on one regularly, I’d rather internet shop or just pop in the garage shop for one thing. I’m hoping to lose enough weight to have knee replacement surgery next year, something I’ve been putting off for about five years so hopefully I won’t need a mobility scooter for much longer.

Interesting. These are the rules:

www.gov.uk/mobility-scooters-and-powered-wheelchairs-rules

I could be completely wrong here, but I thought that the ones with speed capped to 4mph were allowed on the pavement and the ones capped at 8mph were meant to be on the road?

If that's not the case it shouldn't be! I also think that insurance needs to be permanently required from purchase onward. I also think that any purchaser should be required to pass a short test. And before anyone says I'm anti I would love a small scooter but can't afford one!

My mum and daughter saw someone in a supermarket veer off to one side at the checkout, and smash into a birthday card display.
She was shouting "hang on, I'll be back. Save my space!" as she went.
Her husband was shouting at her, and she headed back to the checkout and smashed into the shins of the woman who had saved her space.
Apologised, backed up, then smashed the woman again!!!

Monica:
"It also depends on the kind of roads that need to be crossed, whether there are pedestrian crossings or traffic lights and the amount of traffic"

Indeed. I was confident with my mob scooter until the motor wore out just before covid. Pedestrian crossings are not easy as you have to turn the mob at right angles to the road and wait with the brake on until the green cross now. there nay be other people waiting too, so you have to allow for their safety.

So in answer to OP question, no I wouldn't have wanted my mother to drive a scooter. I don't think she would have been confident. But I am much older now than my mother was and yes, I would want to drive a scooter, should the need arise. But, even though I have been a car driver for well over 50 years, I would want to be trained before being let loose on the pavements'.

I could really do with one, I think, but I would be too nervous of not being able to drive it.

A friend of mine who has RA is a long term mobility scooter user. She is also a very competent car driver. When she is on home territory she uses her big scooter and takes a small scooter in the car boot when she goes further afield. She had campaigned for dropped kerbs in our small town and runs training courses for new and established scooter users.
Courses are definitely needed. Some users really have no idea of how to drive safely. I've been knocked over by a scooter. The lady user shouted at me, saying it was my own fault, I should have looked where I was going. I did nothing wrong, she was in the wrong position on the pavement.

Im sure the mobility scooters could be manufactured with a preset, maximum speed.

I agree with Lathyrus - speed is the main problem.

Four miles an hour would be a good maximum speed, though I think they should be going much slower than that in pedestrian areas, because the average pedestrian probably isn't going much above 2 miles an hour.

It would be hard to police though without something like a registration number.

It does seem wrong that a driver of one of these can cause injury or damage, but get away with simply driving away, even if there are a lot of witnesses, while there would be huge repercussions for a car driver who did that, however minor the incident.

Mollygo. I can drive, i have a car, I am 57 years old ( just ) and I need a mobility scooter to get about places. I feel absolutely 100% thrilled that I have been to ----, done the things I used to, loved every second, felt totally independent. I park the scooter outside the shop i want to go in. Get the stick ( that is in the little basket at the front) and breeze around the shop, maybe make a purchase, then onto the next, honestly for me, its a new lease of life.

DH now has one which has made such a difference to both our lives. Before walking was painful for him with arthritis in both knees and hips and so we never went anywhere. However he would never go into a shopping centre or any crowded area with his scooter, despite being a competent car driver. We tend to use it for walks where there hard paths eg Virginia Waters, RHS Wisley.

It's a minefield here.
They speed through crowds, scattering people like skittles!

Even if they lack capacity they can still use one. Unfortunately.

Unless someone lacks capacity, then it's up to them.

It depends on the Mum. Some mothers I have met would be absolutely fine, others, I wouldn't let cross a road holding my hand.

It also depends on the kind of roads that need to be crossed, whether there are pedestrian crossings or traffic lights and the amount of traffic

To put it simply, the decision whether I would let my mother use a mobility scooter is as long as a piece of string and dependent on so many factors, the answer would be 'I do not know'

There are a lot more around now and I do think people need a test to use them - not a driving test but at least some instruction as they could cause a fatal accident if knocking a child or frail person over. Also insurance. I don't think they are meant to be on the road though they are quite heavy.

I would have been over the moon to have seen my once vital, active mum being out and about again.

It would help if they were all limited to walking pace, say 4 miles an hour. I can’t see any reason why they should go faster than the average pedestrian. They are a substitute for walking after all.

The faster pace is what makes them so dangerous to pedestrians.

I think there should be a requirement for training, testing and insurance. Probably many people who use them (especially older ladies) have never driven a car and have no knowledge of the Highway Code. Some may also be mentally unfit to use them or have problems with spatial awareness and would be unable hold a driving licence. Some drivers of mobility scooters are a menace. It’s a fine balance between safety and isolation isn’t it?

There are a lot in use round here. With flat, wide pavements, they are safe and not normally a nuisance, but there are some users who go much too fast, especially at junctions. I agree a test would be a good thing.

I agree, Bluebell , mob scooters use should be limited to people who need them.

Thanks for the replies. My mum has driven for years. Midgey, one of my biggest concerns is that without it she would be confined to the house, but I wondered what others thought. Caleo, your post is really reassuring.

They are a real nuisance here although I certainly wouldn’t have stopped mum or dad using one it would have been their choice
I ve been knocked off my bike by one coming out a side road I had one run right over my foot in a shop

I don’t know if it’s just here but there are people using them who obviously don’t have a mobility problem there is a woman lives near me she is in her 40 s she hops in and out has a big trailer on the back and loud loud music blaring out from some orifice on this thing and rides everywhere at speed
I ve seen lads with girlfriends on their knees and people with kids hanging off every spare area I swear some use them as cheap cars

PS handling a mob scooter is not like handling a car, and the test should include near perfect handling ability.