Mobility scooters

Well, I am 'Mum'!!! Nothing whatsoever to do with my AC whether or not I use a mobility scooter - although as my mobility scooter decreased they did encourage me to consider this.

Have used one now for about six years, absolutely brilliant. Gives me a normal life. I can go to all my groups locally on this wonderful little machine. My local AC folds it into her car so I can join them on wonderful days out.

Just been to very large local Tesco this morning, always lower speed when inside a store. Brilliant.

My current one 'lives' in my garage. Last year I decided to get rid of my car, although am keeping my driving licence. I never take this on the road, it is a pavement model, when friends stay some of them hire a scooter whilst they are here. As soon as you let go of the tiller they come to a complete standstill, so do not see how they can cause an accident. Do get some small children darting around, but then I just go very much slower. Have never hit one yet.

I have also, very recently, purchased a small power chair, which I hope will enable me to go on buses, etc. Will be taking that with me for a trip next weekend involving three trains - thanks to help from wonderful Rail Passenger Assistance.

Without these modern machines, I would be, very largely,housebound.

Sadly, there. are so many different brands of scooter out there that simply are not fit for purpose. People are allowed to buy one that is often too small for their weight and stature. which makes them top heavy and very unstable. unfortunately there seems to be no guidelines applied to design and manufacture.
My late father had his driving licence withdrawn due to having dementia - he was devastated but took himself off to the local dealer and purchased a mobility scooter which fortunately, was suitable. He loved it and going out on in game him a whole new purpose, he even admitted to seeing things that we often miss when driving a car.
After he died we donated the scooter to BLESMA who collected it, serviced it and gave it to a disabled ex-service person.

I think one of the biggest problems with scooters and electric wheelchairs is that they are silent. My husband was lethal in his electric wheelchair, he would whizz silently frightening people he passed who hadn’t heard him!

I asked my late father many years ago if he would like a mobility scooter as he was housebound,his reply was “Not bloody likely”…

Pantglas2 - the problem arises when you simply cannot walk that far. I would love to be able to do what your dad does.
I have a class 2 mobility scooter, and to get the insurance, I had to demonstrate awareness of safety. I agree that insurance should be mandatory.
I would also like to see some regulation of sales and advice - but that is not on this government's agenda.

Although I can no longer walk in the countryside as I would wish, I can go on some paths on my scooter, and feel some connection to the places I have loved all my life.

I don’t know what the answer is. I think mobility scooters are a real lifeline for many but I also think pedestrians should be able to walk the pavements safely.

It’s poured with rain today and the mobility scooters with their coverings have been out in force where I live. I walked into town and several times had to step into the road because scooters coming in opposite directions took up the whole pavement. At one point where the pavement narrows there was even a standoff where neither would give way.

It would have been funny if a mum with a buggy and a walking toddler hadn’t had to walk into the road to get past.

It’s not the scooters themselves is it? Here it’s the number of them and, dare I say, the lack of awareness that older people often have of what is going on around them. If you’re not fit to drive anymore you’re probably a danger on the pavement ?

I try to be very aware of other pedestrians when out with my scooter. Narrow pavements often mean I will wait until those coming towards me have passed. When people (and that is often), step aside or even into the road to let me pass I always smile and thank them.

I have NEVER used to the hooter on any of these machines, If I am behind someone blocking the pavement ahead, I will slow or call out 'Excuse me'. Somehow seems rude to hoot them. As with driving I try to look ahead. My maximum speed is 4 mph. Perhaps some sort of Doctors letter of competency of the proposed user could be in place. I did pay out for an insurance scheme for the first couple of years that I had one, but it was a lot of money and I could not work out what it was actually buying me.

Obviously, the much bigger models which go up to 8 mph are able to to use the road, and I believe the do have to have some sort of registrations and insurance.

Where I live there are a great number of people who use these scooters. I can only say that I have never heard of or seen any sort of accident involving them. I do know that some people on these scooters could have a lesson in politeness, as some do just think they can plough ahead regardless of everyone else. But these are a small minority.

If everyone was like you there wouldn’t be any problem ?

(That sounds really sarcastic in print and I do actually mean it sincerely?)

I've got one. Haven't used it much yet but it's going to be useful soon I think. I'm in a quiet country area so hopefully won't cause any problems.