what is proper scooter etiquette?

[HouseElfWon]

a few years ago my husband and i were in Vegas and i was using a scooter. i can drive one ok i just don’t like driving one in crowds and i especially don’t like driving one when there are oncoming people. he thinks they will get out of my way and i think i should get out of their way. he’s still holding onto this. he thinks i didn’t try hard enough and i think anyone who knows the disease would know how hurtful a thing to say that is. people with MS try all day every day. my thoughts are not the thoughts of my best self right now and being able to vent here is so so helpful. thank you so much any and all input❤️

[Kit10]

I think they should get out of your way, because it's hard to avoid a scooter that's weaving around, so the scooter driver should continue in a straight line but be prepared to stop if they don't step sideways. If they are staring at their phone and not looking where they're going you can make a noise like "tch!" to get their attention or say "Excuse me" or sound the horn if the scooter has one. And say "Thank you" when they step aside. Of course you should drive to one side of the path so they have to get past - keep right in USA, left in UK. Go at walking speed in a crowded place.

Well that's my opinion.

If they walk backwards into you that's their fault.

[HouseElfWon in reply to Kit10]

thank you so much…..being able to vent here helps keep a civil younger in my head😇

[mrsmike9 in reply to Kit10]

I agree, 100%.

[falalalala]

I believe that pedestrians have the right of way.

[HouseElfWon in reply to falalalala]

I do toooooo🙂

[NorasMom]

I'm on the fence with this one. I don't have a scooter, but I do frequently use a motorized wheelchair when I'm out. Like Kit10 says, I stick to the right, hugging the curb or wall whenever possible, but I stop when I come up on a group of people and let them move around me at their own pace. I've learned to avoid places like Walmart during busy times, because there's just too many people trying to fit through the aisles at one time. I'm more with you on this one than your husband, because in my mind it's not much different than driving a car. You wouldn't go barreling into a crowd while driving one of those, and a scooter or wheelchair could cause a lot of damage to someone when going full speed ahead.

[HouseElfWon in reply to NorasMom]

thank you-that’s pretty much how i see it. i also think driving into a crowd is pretty dangerous considering how high fatigue levels can be😎

[Neworleanslady]

I think they should get out of the way but not be expected to. And i think we should always say excuse me and thank you with a smile on. I always seem to get a smile back (and often conversation) when im polite and smiling. (I just use a rollator though). I don’t know of any rule on this etiquette. Im with you in that I don’t feel great about myself to feel I want to be arrogant and push on through like it’s my right

[goatgal]

I think it's a matter of practicality. In a crowd of people, going in the same direction, it's probably best to stay to the right side, pausing or stopping as necessary. because only those directly behind you can see you. If a scooter is going against the flow, it makes sense to again stay to one side, moving slowly because those on coming can see you. Crowds behave differently than individuals, so though an individual might see a scooter and step aside, a crowd won't and can't because the people in front are pressed by those behind them. I don't think you can expect (nor should you expect) people to get out of your way! Even emergency vehicles must use sirens! And even then there are those who ignore them...

[greaterexp in reply to goatgal]

Great idea! I'll get a siren for my wheelchair (or just ask hubby to make that sound effect, which would be better and give him something fun to do when he pushes me around.) I'd also like to get the old "Cayuga" horn. Seriously, I do agree with you.

[goatgal in reply to greaterexp]

I'm old, so I remember when our bicycles had bells or (better yet) those squeeze bulb horns to let the people on sidewalks know you were coming. Now there are certain trails I won't walk because mountain bikers sweep up behind with no warning at all. With my poor balance and coordination I need time to get out of the way!

[greaterexp in reply to goatgal]

I went biking with my husband years ago and recall hearing "on your left" at times from considerate cyclers. I wish everyone could be that considerate! Those electric shopping carts have a beep for going backward, but they need something for alerting people who are ahead of us, too!

I had a bell on my bike, too!

[falalalala in reply to greaterexp]

I got hit by a bike while walking with my hub.

No warning, just "BONK"! Then she just pedaled away like nothing happened! 😂I gave her a few compliments and that was it.

[greaterexp in reply to falalalala]

Outrageous!! I hope you weren’t hurt.

[falalalala in reply to greaterexp]

Not hurt at all which was weird.

I used to say something every time I pedaled up behind someone. My hub has a horn on his.

[Cutefreckles72]

Hi, I had a scooter and now since my PPMS has gotten worse I m in a power wheelchair. I don't worry about people walking because they move anyway. Just say excuse me, thank you and keep moving. My biggest concern is people in cars. Some people will stop and some keep going. So don't worry about the people walking just worry about the ones in cars. Keep riding. 🦼

[Jer29-11]

Hmmm, this is an interesting question! Out of respect, I will always try to move out of the way of scooters, wheelchairs, walkers, etc when walking. I imagine motorized scooters or wheelchairs would be difficult to navigate around people and it’s easier for someone on foot to step away. But seeing other responses, I can see how a driver would have a responsibility to not plow over people too, lol! Maybe it’s a give and take situation?

[Corran731]

OMG my wife and I have the same disagreement 😂 And I totally agree with you on this one. Now she’s taken to running interference for me herself like Fezzik from the Princess Bride 😂

Fezzik from the Princess Bride saying everybody move!

[mrsmike9]

I think scooters, wheelchairs, etc. should have flags, like bicycles do. It brings them up into people's sight lines. I'm a really tall person and try to keep a eye out for smaller people, scooters, etc., but flags would help.