mobility scooters

[billl]

did any body watch the program on bbc1 last night about mob scooters . it was funny but serious as well , had one chap who had to walk with white stick as nearly blind but could still have a scooter his son looked horrified and was trying to talk him out of it . I have driven over 40 years but was surprised you don't take any test . and you don't need insurance well that's the first thing I got in case I ran any body over ,it was only £60 a year . keep on breathing

[sassy59]

Interesting tobydoo but unfortunately I missed that one. May be able to catch up online. It is incredible what goes on. Pete would not be without his mobility scooter because of his back. I am usually with him when he goes out to keep him on the straight and narrow.

Take care. xxxx

[junespoon]

Yes very interesting program, I wondered about insurance, 60 pound gives you peace of mind.

[CornishBrian in reply to junespoon]

How many cyclists have insurance?

[babalulu in reply to CornishBrian]

The majority of cyclists don't ride on the pavement though. Their bikes also don't weigh as much as mobility scooters. My foot was run over by a mobility scooter...3 broken toes!! Enough said :/

[huggs]

Hi Tobydoo,

No, I did not see the programme, but personally I don't think a blind person should have one. Of course, I do not know all the circumstances, but in theory someone that is blind does not belong behind any type of vehicle, unless it is going at a snails pace and they are accompanied.

I have epilepsy, and so cannot hold a licence, and neither would I want to. If it was just me that would be affected if something happened while I was driving, then I would take the chance, but no one can in conscience drive with a medical condition which puts others at risk.

I recently talked to someone who has an electric bike. Briefly, I got all excited, and thought of the freedom and independence, along with better life quality. You don't need a licence for an electric bike, but the risks are still the same. If I got one, then I could possibly injure or kill someone if I had a seizure while on it. I really would love one, but I have to be realistic, and accept its not possible. I daresay if I ever get to the stage of needing a mobility scooter ( I could do with one now actually, although I hope it would be temporary), then I wouldn't be able to get one. lots of hugs from huggs xx

[Hidden in reply to huggs]

Huggs, how well conteolled is your epilepsy ? If you don't have regular siezures then maybe it would be possible for you to have an electric bike.

[huggs in reply to Hidden]

Hi Argana,

Thanks for replying to me. Unfortunately, my epilepsy is not well controlled, It has become worse since I have been ill, and I have around 3 or 4 a month, although its hard to tell exactly, as I live alone, and I also have 4 different types of it. So, an electric bike is just a dream not worth dreaming about really. Before I had epilepsy, I had moped's and love them. So economical, and as long as you didn't mind getting too wet, they were brilliant for getting around. Thanks for your concern Argana, but its just a pipe dream now. Hope you are well, and the humidity isn't too much for you. lots of hugs from huggs. xxx

[Hidden in reply to huggs]

That's a shame Huggs but as long as we have our legs and public transport, we'll survive. We've had a bit of a heatwave here this week and it's realky put extra pressure on my breathing. The evening is the only part of the day I can enjoy so I'm outside in the garden until midnight. We're never happy

[huggs in reply to Hidden]

Hi Argana, we have had a heat wave also, and the humidity has been terrible! It was 97% the other night! I can't use public transport at the moment. My flat is up a short steep hill, and I get breathless going down it! I tried it the other day, which was a bit daft as it was so hot, but I wanted to go on a boat trip on the Waverly Paddle Steamer. I made all the effort, and she didn't sail that day. Never mind, she'll be back soon. Talking about the weather, I love the snow. Really love it and we didn't get any this year. I'm in Scotland on the West Coast which is much wetter than the East. The East is colder but drier, but I love where I live, and have lived on the East coast years ago.

Take care Argana, and thanks for trying to help me out with electric bikes etc. Under the law, I could get one, but as I said I wouldn't take the chance of injuring someone else. If the risk was only to me I would have a moped again! What a sight that would be!!

Sleep well and keep well.

Lots of hugs from huggs xx

[Hidden in reply to huggs]

You too Huggs !

[CornishBrian in reply to huggs]

I use a mobility scooter a lot...and I mean a lot. I use it on the roads because I travel at over 4 mph. The biggest risk of accidents is cyclists who text whilst cycling....one ran into me yesterday even though I had stopped and shouted at him to get his attention, and pedestrians who look in the opposite way to which they are walking. When the fall over the scooter, of course it is always me that should look where I am going, me that's driving like an idiot...never them. The law is crazy. I have a tax disc...free of course...but don't need insurance. I am not allowed to use the pavements if I travel at over 4 MPH but I am not allowed to use cycle lanes. I have a friend who is almost blind through diabetes and he uses a scooter, at snails pace. but says he is better off on the scooter as he was forever being knocked down by cyclists or tripping folk with his white stick.

[huggs in reply to CornishBrian]

Hi CornishBrian, Its great that you have something to get around on, but it does sound hazardous! It definitely seems that there needs to be some regulations put in place with these scooters and similar vehicles. I would have thought that using cycle lanes would be a safer option, but I never saw the programme, and don't know much about these things. A couple of years ago, there was a woman in our village who had one. She didn't need it, but her late husband did. She thought it would be great if she then used it, but it was a terrifying sight to see her on it. I once saw her approaching a main road, but did not stop before turning into it. A bus was coming, and how the driver missed her, I will never know. In the end the police had to have a word with her, as so many motorists had near misses, and put were genuinely concerned for her and everyone else' safety! She use to drive along, cheerily waving to everyone and not looking where she was going. She died last year, ( not through her mobility scooter), but her grandchildren now have it! Oh dear! lots of hugs from huggs xx

[BattyMumma]

I watched this programme and was shocked! I think they have a place but need regulating. I also question the health benefits for some. Such as the 30 something year old with MS. She said she had put on 2 1/2 stone since using hers which can not be good for her condition.

I got quite annoyed with the blasé about being poor drivers of them. They found it comical that they crashed into everything including other people.

One lady when told a child had been run over by one while walking on the pavement said he should have got out of the way! What if it was her grandchild run over would she then be so strong in her view that mobility scooters should have right of way even on the pavement?

Sorry I have quite strong views on mobility scooters.

[pergola1 in reply to BattyMumma]

I, too, have very strong views on mobility scooters. In my book, the pedestrian always has the right of way. Children, dogs and text users, I stop for them to pass. But I know there are a lot of irresponsible users that give us a bad name.

[Hidden]

I watched it and realised it raised a multitude of issues about regulation that I had presumed were in place. Anyone can buy one and does not need any training? - I had assumed you would have some training and thought it was probably obligatory. It was really quite scary about the fact no insurance was required at all. One woman was facing financial ruin as a result of an accident which the victim sued her for compensation. At some point my husband will need one there is no doubt but I will certainly be putting in place training and insurance. There seems to be no health and safety regulations! TAD xx

[stone-UK]

Hi

Mobilty scooters (classed as invalid carriages in law) are covered in the high way code.

Although not legally required, insurance should be considered as you are liable for any injurie or damaged to property caused by you.

As Tadaw mentioned a women is likely to lose her home as a result of a claim in a supermarket.

It is not only the compensation but the legal cost which can run into thousands, more so if you contest the actions.

My biggest gripe is not using low speed on paved areas, and cutting corners.

[Riverbank]

Where I used to work a couple of the patients had scooters, one of them asked me to ride it and park it for her as it was raining. (I worked in a rehab center) She told me how to start it and reverse it, I asked where the brake was.........they don't have brakes............you just let it roll to a stop, I have driven cars for over 40 years, driving something without a brake was a worrying experience. Is this why so many people crash, I know its only 8 mph but if you are going that fast and somebody steps in front of you without a brake it takes longer to stop, hence you would run into them.

Being selfish, I don;t want them banned because I think I will need to use one in the future but I do think there should be a test before you can buy one to make sure you are a safe driver.

[Suzy6]

Hopefully Riverbank they have brakes now. If not why not? We have 2 nut cases near me who I;m sure race each other down a busy pavement every morning. I hope they have brakes now. I would hate to think those two not having brakes, but most people I know are very polite and behave well on their scooters. Maybe it is because they appreciate the freedom they give them.

[FarmerD]

I watched this programme with interest as I'm thinking of getting one in the future.It seems to me it,s like a lot of things,a bit of common sense and thinking about other people would solve the problems.Insurance should be in place and training but of course costs are restrictive as always.If we all gave way a bit more we,d be a lot safer and happier.EasyBreathy!D.

[Hidden]

I saw that programme too and thought it was very biased against those of us who rely on scooters to maintain some independence. Most of us are responsible and possibly more aware of pedestrians than those who walk around in a bubble, phone in hand, head down. My motto is, if in doubt stop and wait, and so far(12 years) have been incident free. It would be good if BBC redressed the balance with a programme about scooter users who are responsible. Having said all this, I do think that the government could make training and insurance neccessary, but, cyclists are not regulated, regularly use pavements and can achieve much higher speeds. Darthvada.

[Pedros]

There are some misconceptions here guys. There is pamphlet produced by The British Healthcare Trades Association (bhta.com) entitled 'Highway Code for Electric Scooter & Wheelchair Users' Amongst other things, it says "when on the pavement or in a pedestrian area - the pedestrian always has the right of way".

I thought it was sensible to insure my scooter and it is of course registered with the DVLA.

Peter.

[undine]

did not see the program - think I am in denial - really do not want to think that far (I hope) ahead but sounded interesting thank you

[onamission]

My friend went in for a hip replacement after coming out of hospital I took her up to the shopping centre we have a shop mobility where she booked a scooter. The women explained to her she would have to adjust the speed going up the ramp so off she went and being a none driver had no space awareness took off but instead of adjusting the speed at the top of the ramp she kept going full speed unfortunately the guy in front was not she took him off his feet and I could was collapse in a heap on the floor laughing I will never forget that blokes face or the words that came out of his mouth I can't repeat them, not on this site.