Electric Scooters

[Jetpilot]

A little off emtb's topic but heard on the news today they are running some trials with the intention to legalise those battery scooters, able to use cycle lanes, restricted to 15.5mph.

"Bikes" to the follow do you guys think? If you have a throttle assisted scooter I see no reason why a bike would or should be any different. Just to add, not that I would want one.

 

[Mikerb]

Governments need to do something because those scooters are being used both on the roads and pavements in any case. The trials may well lead to some regulations to legalise the use of electric scooters but since they are essentially throttle operated ( ie not pedal support) it is also likely they would have to wear helmets, have lights and a horn and possibly also to be registered and insured. All of which we avoided with pedelecs because they are classified as bicycles.

 

[Rusty]

The eScooter hires like Lime are a total pain in the ass. Hopefully our council will end their licence when the trial is over next month. They are used mostly by clowns that should not be in charge of anything motorized and ride whereever the hell they like - sidewalks, cycle lanes, roads.

 

[04fuxake]

I used to be pro-scooter because of what it meant for micro-mobility in cities etc. But we have two scooter operator in our city now and I've gone off them a bit. They are all over the footpaths and rarely left in any tidy order. I've literally seen people ride along a footpath, stop and just leave it there for everyone else to walk around. And they're heavy things too which blow an alarm if you try to move them. Our city is windy (Wellington, NZ) so they often blow over en masse.

 

[Rusty]

But we have two scooter operator in our city now and I've gone off them a bit. They are all over the footpaths and rarely left in any tidy order. I've literally seen people ride along a footpath, stop and just leave it there for everyone else to walk around.

That is the issue with them as far as I am concerned - if they are going to allow them, the operators should have park areas they rent and users should have to return to a park rather than leave them laying all over the place. At least once a week we have to go out and move one from our drive so customers can get into the car park. That and that youngsters hire them when they are way younger than whatever the limit is. All too often I have had to just out of the way of a nipper looking around the side of the handlebars.

Seen more than a few dumped into the Mighty Waikato

 

[Fivetones]

Aren’t these objections more about the hiring model though? Private ownership only might work and also might help if push, not throttle operated, more like a pedelec.

Segway-Ninebot unveils an electric kick scooter with cruise control

 

[Mabman]

The scooter scourge is in full effect here in the US also. My primary view is based on their use in Portland, OR and after the trial period I thought there was no way they would be allowed. Wrong. In fact they have gotten so bold as to introduce these fat tired seated scooters that are now taking up the sidewalks bigly.

An odd thing in regards to regulations regarding scooters here in OR is that they are allowed the same maximum wattage, 1000w here as the Class Laws have not been adopted and the old statutes still apply to eBikes. But the kicker is that their top speed limit is 24mph while eBikes are 20mph.

I ask you if the general populace is safer with the ability to ride scooters at 24mph or those on a bicycle? Even if the Class laws do come into effect here it won't change the scooter laws as written......

 

[Jetpilot]

But the kicker is that their top speed limit is 24mph while eBikes are 20mph.

This was also part of my thoughts, it wouldnt surprise me if they get a higher limit here than emtbs which makes absolutely no sense.

I guess it also means manufacturers of these things getting on board and restricting them, so what happens to all to all the old unrestricted ones, nothing people will still use them!

 

[Mikerb]

I read that the experience in France and other European countries has been that the scooters resulted in lots of injuries and accidents.
As far as e bikes are concerned the UK shortly gets unshackled from the EU so there is a better chance of some review of the current 20kph assist limit.

 

[Fivetones]

I read that the experience in France and other European countries has been that the scooters resulted in lots of injuries and accidents.
As far as e bikes are concerned the UK shortly gets unshackled from the EU so there is a better chance of some review of the current 20kph assist limit.

If Dominic Cummings rides an escooter or ebike then we’re in luck. ?

 

[Saddyquas]

I agree; if they're safe and follow the rules, why not?

 

[Expidia]

So you pick a 3 year old thread for your first post

 

[steve_sordy]

Don't be too hard on the newbie; he/she probably picked the first one that was of interest. I still occasionally pick up on old threads, but because I always start with "What's new", usually only after someone else has started it up again.