Electric Scooters
Discussion
silverthorn2151 said:
I have to say that is not my experience. When I see people using them they are just using them as intended. I see more people walking along acting as dimwits with no respect for others. You could argue that adding scooters into that mix would make it worse, and I would agree, hence the need for separation in some places and the need for courtesy in others. When I get mine, I wont be a nuisance.
Clearly the poster above has a chip on his shoulder concerning e scooters. I have only tried one a couple of times and i prefer my EUC, but i frequently use the cycle lanes along the embankment with scooter riders and they are behaving themselves pretty well. There are a few who seem to think they are exempt from traffic lights and the like but its very much the minority. The police have taken action against irresponsible users in the past, despite what know it all above says. Two EUC users have been prosecuted and given 6 points on their licenses, a number of others have had NIP's which were subsequently dropped, and a number of scooters have been confiscated. There was a peak in police stops after the unfortunate u-tuber got herself squished at the end of last year.
You are correct that segregation is the answer, although you will still get people stepping out onto bike lanes whilst staring at their phones.
nute said:
silverthorn2151 said:
I have to say that is not my experience. When I see people using them they are just using them as intended. I see more people walking along acting as dimwits with no respect for others. You could argue that adding scooters into that mix would make it worse, and I would agree, hence the need for separation in some places and the need for courtesy in others. When I get mine, I wont be a nuisance.
Clearly the poster above has a chip on his shoulder concerning e scooters. I have only tried one a couple of times and i prefer my EUC, but i frequently use the cycle lanes along the embankment with scooter riders and they are behaving themselves pretty well. There are a few who seem to think they are exempt from traffic lights and the like but its very much the minority. The police have taken action against irresponsible users in the past, despite what know it all above says. Two EUC users have been prosecuted and given 6 points on their licenses, a number of others have had NIP's which were subsequently dropped, and a number of scooters have been confiscated. There was a peak in police stops after the unfortunate u-tuber got herself squished at the end of last year.
You are correct that segregation is the answer, although you will still get people stepping out onto bike lanes whilst staring at their phones.
My observation from Spain. Loads of scooters, the preferred vehicle for the sub 5km commute. Mostly stick to roads and cycle lanes, but few people seem to ride non assist bicycles.
They are jus as normal as bicycles, pedestrians and cars. Gradually replacing 2 stroke scooters, a popular move.
It doesn’t rain quite so much in most of Spain ....
They are jus as normal as bicycles, pedestrians and cars. Gradually replacing 2 stroke scooters, a popular move.
It doesn’t rain quite so much in most of Spain ....
silverthorn2151 said:
Just for the avoidance of doubt, I think you mean someone else has an issue with them chipwise. I'm a massive fan of them and genuinely see this sort of thing as the future way of moving abou, mostly in cities. I also agree about people stepping into the path of riders and suspect that scooter riders are more at risk from pedestrians than vice versa. I think its important to wear a helmet and I'd probably add gloves to that.
Yes, sorry, I was referring to PF62 above, not you.nute said:
At least three e scooters confiscated in London today by plod, one following a stop by an unmarked Range Rover. Don’t as yet know if the owners were issued with NIP’s, and I dint know the circumstances.
If they where riding like tits then good, if the police are being jobs worth knobs then they are the tits. Gang and knife crime on the rise, my friend had his garage broken into this week taking all his work tools thousands of pounds worth of gear. CCTV of the man's face, The police response, "we will try and get someone there in the week sometime".
Seems they are to busy chasing down people on little scooters.
nute said:
At least three e scooters confiscated in London today by plod, one following a stop by an unmarked Range Rover. Don’t as yet know if the owners were issued with NIP’s, and I dint know the circumstances.
They have featured on BBC London news today with a story about the poor lady that was killed last year. They must have said that use was illegal about 50 times. Bit of a thin tale with not much to say but was framed about mental health issues associated with her partner. They did mention that use was under review. Perhaps that's why the constabulary wanted to make a show. You'd kind of think they had better things to do.
Saw the BBC News item.
Very sad, but the lady’s partner seemed to be blaming the state of the road for the accident, not the scooter or HGV driver.
As I cyclist I can fully concur. The edge of the road we use is often in the worst and dirtiest condition.
If the Government wants eco friendly transport options, they need to improve the state of our roads for safe usage.
Very sad, but the lady’s partner seemed to be blaming the state of the road for the accident, not the scooter or HGV driver.
As I cyclist I can fully concur. The edge of the road we use is often in the worst and dirtiest condition.
If the Government wants eco friendly transport options, they need to improve the state of our roads for safe usage.
silverthorn2151 said:
I have to say that is not my experience. When I see people using them they are just using them as intended. I see more people walking along acting as dimwits with no respect for others. You could argue that adding scooters into that mix would make it worse, and I would agree, hence the need for separation in some places and the need for courtesy in others. When I get mine, I wont be a nuisance.
Separation is the key. Unfortunately, in busy parts of London and other cities, ALL types of traffic are a nuisance to each other if they are moving at different speeds, even if they are not doing anything wrong.The walking part of my daily commute is about a mile of busy London streets and it would be made much easier if there were no cyclists/scooters/runners to deal with.
Its the same if I'm out cycling on the weekend - the parts that are segregated are fine, but everywhere else I have hassle with slower pedestrians or faster cars.
silverthorn2151 said:
They have featured on BBC London news today with a story about the poor lady that was killed last year. They must have said that use was illegal about 50 times. Bit of a thin tale with not much to say but was framed about mental health issues associated with her partner. They did mention that use was under review. Perhaps that's why the constabulary wanted to make a show.
You'd kind of think they had better things to do.
You would, but I think they have been put in a very difficult position on this.You'd kind of think they had better things to do.
Until the law changes it is illegal to use these scooters, but nevertheless they are in general use. I can't remember the last day I was in London and didn't see one.
If the police don't show that they are at least paying lip service to enforcing the law and someone else dies on a scooter, then they'll be blamed for not enforcing the law.
Once the law changes, people will be killed using these, just like they are now as cyclists and pedestrians, but then the blame can be apportioned to the state of the roads and other road users rather than police failing to enforce the law.
I agree. Rock and a hard place and I'm sure it's about being able to avoid criticism in the event of incident.
For what it's worth I'm inclined to wait until they get the nod before getting mine. "chubby middle aged surveyor get scooter confiscated " on the local facebook page would lead to much piss taking!
For what it's worth I'm inclined to wait until they get the nod before getting mine. "chubby middle aged surveyor get scooter confiscated " on the local facebook page would lead to much piss taking!
silverthorn2151 said:
I agree. Rock and a hard place and I'm sure it's about being able to avoid criticism in the event of incident.
For what it's worth I'm inclined to wait until they get the nod before getting mine. "chubby middle aged surveyor get scooter confiscated " on the local facebook page would lead to much piss taking!
Hence I'm far more likely to get an eskateboard... For what it's worth I'm inclined to wait until they get the nod before getting mine. "chubby middle aged surveyor get scooter confiscated " on the local facebook page would lead to much piss taking!
Visually to a 'normal' observer, there's no difference to the speed/etc., only think would be that I push less often. Of course, if I see someone who might care, there's no challenge in pushing for that 50m.
Just need to find one that rides as well as my manual decks.
silverthorn2151 said:
I agree. Rock and a hard place and I'm sure it's about being able to avoid criticism in the event of incident.
For what it's worth I'm inclined to wait until they get the nod before getting mine. "chubby middle aged surveyor get scooter confiscated " on the local facebook page would lead to much piss taking!
I might get one if my walking commute gets longer in a new job, but I’ll definitely wait until they become legal to use.For what it's worth I'm inclined to wait until they get the nod before getting mine. "chubby middle aged surveyor get scooter confiscated " on the local facebook page would lead to much piss taking!
Apart from the potential cost and embarrassment you mention, there is always the possibility that the government will dig in and not legalise them for a long time. Seems unlikely, but stranger things have happened.
It’s also about the potential abuse from other road users. That would bother me if I was legally in the wrong, but not at all otherwise.
silverthorn2151 said:
Like Caisey Neistat and his boosted boards!
I would fall off one of those every 15 yards!
Boosted are pretty cool looking, and a really nice controller - but still ride like a plank. I would fall off one of those every 15 yards!
None of the flex/carve/feel of a proper deck...
In fact, seemingly the closest to a 'proper' manual board feel is the Onewheel, which is a bit odd! Need to have a try on one...
£1800 is a tad punchy though. Could get a decent 125 scooter for that...
A few years back I thought I may get one of these fold up scooters for the 2 mile trip to the station.
But on swotting up I correctly found out it was illegal.
I guess once everyone is tearing about like loons I can blend in as say a bigger boy said it was ok and the fact I have skills
and experience of 2 wheels I should be safe while they are all going under buses and stuff.
But on swotting up I correctly found out it was illegal.
I guess once everyone is tearing about like loons I can blend in as say a bigger boy said it was ok and the fact I have skills
and experience of 2 wheels I should be safe while they are all going under buses and stuff.
Sway said:
Boosted are pretty cool looking, and a really nice controller - but still ride like a plank.
None of the flex/carve/feel of a proper deck...
In fact, seemingly the closest to a 'proper' manual board feel is the Onewheel, which is a bit odd! Need to have a try on one...
£1800 is a tad punchy though. Could get a decent 125 scooter for that...
There are a number of e skate groups in London who have regular rides out, very friendly lot and I’m sure they would give you a try if you asked. I think most have fab pages, you could search for “carve”. Quite a lot are home built with much larger wheels to cope with the crap roads. There is a shop up by the Olympic park which build their own, really beautifuly put together. None of the flex/carve/feel of a proper deck...
In fact, seemingly the closest to a 'proper' manual board feel is the Onewheel, which is a bit odd! Need to have a try on one...
£1800 is a tad punchy though. Could get a decent 125 scooter for that...
The down side with e skate for me is you can’t go round a sharp corner easily when trying to stick to a bike lane, but they do look good fun otherwise.
silverthorn2151 said:
I agree. Rock and a hard place and I'm sure it's about being able to avoid criticism in the event of incident.
For what it's worth I'm inclined to wait until they get the nod before getting mine. "chubby middle aged surveyor get scooter confiscated " on the local facebook page would lead to much piss taking!
I’m a chubby middle aged surveyor and I use my EUC to get between sites/ inspections in south London. Causes no end of amusement amongst the contractors.... For what it's worth I'm inclined to wait until they get the nod before getting mine. "chubby middle aged surveyor get scooter confiscated " on the local facebook page would lead to much piss taking!
nute said:
silverthorn2151 said:
I agree. Rock and a hard place and I'm sure it's about being able to avoid criticism in the event of incident.
For what it's worth I'm inclined to wait until they get the nod before getting mine. "chubby middle aged surveyor get scooter confiscated " on the local facebook page would lead to much piss taking!
I’m a chubby middle aged surveyor and I use my EUC to get between sites/ inspections in south London. Causes no end of amusement amongst the contractors.... For what it's worth I'm inclined to wait until they get the nod before getting mine. "chubby middle aged surveyor get scooter confiscated " on the local facebook page would lead to much piss taking!
Gassing Station | News, Politics & Economics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff