Wheelchair Syndrome

nannytone_2

trust me, they go that fast where i live! and i know 4 mph is average walking speed, but walking into a kiddie at that speed would knock them over, and thats without the additional weight of the scooter!

i understand totally when scooter users feel like theyre frowned upon, but at the same time the few that drive around and expect everyone to jump out of their way are doing the majority no favours at all.

Emmylou_2

nannytone wrote: »

trust me, they go that fast where i live! and i know 4 mph is average walking speed, but walking into a kiddie at that speed would knock them over, and thats without the additional weight of the scooter!

i understand totally when scooter users feel like theyre frowned upon, but at the same time the few that drive around and expect everyone to jump out of their way are doing the majority no favours at all.

Then speak to your local community bobby/PCSO - see if they can have a word with people when they're out and about?

Oscar_The_Grouch

nannytone wrote: »

i'm not so sure that some of the bigger scooters should even be on the opavement. a friend told me that her 3 year old grandson was hit by one as he walked out of her front gat! luckily he wasnt hurt badly, just bruised and scared. just because they can travel at 8 mph doesnt mean they should !

Sorry for your grandson, but what right do you have to take away my legs? It would be like me saying "all blind people have to use a stick rather than a dog if they want to use public transport" - it would be hurtful, insensitive and JUST PLAIN STUPIDLY WRONG!!!!!

I use a class 3 scooter. I keep to the speed limit, but I can't actually get out of my road without doing the whole run on the pavement due to the lack of dropped kerbs. Tarring me with the same brush as one nutter in your area and saying that I can't use my scooter on pavements would prevent me from leaving the house, let alone getting around the town centre which is now "vehicle free".

If you want someone to have a go at, look at the cyclists; they're allowed in the paved towns, but they do an awful lot more than 8mph.

Indie_Kid

Oscar_The_Grouch wrote: »

Sorry for your grandson, but what right do you have to take away my legs? It would be like me saying "all blind people have to use a stick rather than a dog if they want to use public transport" - it would be hurtful, insensitive and JUST PLAIN STUPIDLY WRONG!!!!!

I use a class 3 scooter. I keep to the speed limit, but I can't actually get out of my road without doing the whole run on the pavement due to the lack of dropped kerbs. Tarring me with the same brush as one nutter in your area and saying that I can't use my scooter on pavements would prevent me from leaving the house, let alone getting around the town centre which is now "vehicle free".

If you want someone to have a go at, look at the cyclists; they're allowed in the paved towns, but they do an awful lot more than 8mph.

But what about the safety of children or other disabled people?

Molly41

I thought this was a jokey kind of thread. Instead its become a place to bash the users of scooters. I really wish I didnt have to use one but there you ago. I apologise!

Mojisola

Oscar_The_Grouch wrote: »

I use a class 3 scooter. I keep to the speed limit, but I can't actually get out of my road without doing the whole run on the pavement due to the lack of dropped kerbs. Tarring me with the same brush as one nutter in your area and saying that I can't use my scooter on pavements would prevent me from leaving the house, let alone getting around the town centre which is now "vehicle free".

There's no problem with them used on pavements as long as they're not driven too fast.

We all have different needs. You need to get around on a scooter. Other people need to be able to walk on the pavement without getting knocked over. As long as we're all considerate, we can get on.

debbiedeboo

I'm sure there are a few inconsiderate scooter users out there but I've never really come across any. I'm in a wheelchair so I can't really comment on scooter users but will have to talk from my own wheelchair experiences. When someone is pushing you they get a momentum and it is very difficult to stop immediately or swerve away from people who aren't looking where they are going. We do try our best and it is very stressful. Unfortunately we can't judge what little children are going to do. Often the small child is jumping about and running and skipping etc in front of the parent and while that all looks very cute and charming it is a disaster for wheelchair users as the child is totally unaware of what's going on around him/her and it completely unpredictable. I have had so many near misses with children where my heart has literally stopped a beat and if you do despite your very best intentions accidently bash into a child you have the parent to deal with who berates you very loudly. Honestly, we try our best and it is nerve wracking!!! I don't want to hurt little children, I like them but please can parents keep them out of the way of wheelchair/scooter users? Our contraptions are not as nimble and quick to react as humans so we can't get out of the way or stop quickly!

It's very stressful you know. Once a lady was on her mobile phone and not looking where she was going and we couldn't stop and we bashed into her. She screamed and yelled at us all down the street. I was terribly upset. I am not a militant wheelchair user whose sole mission in life is to go out in my wheechair terrorising mobile phone users and small children. One teenager dashed right across me yesterday to get to where she wanted to go in a rush, she was very lucky she didn't get bashed and who would have got the blame. She nearly got a rude comment from me because she gave me such a shock but I refrained. You just get the usual 'typical wheelchair users, think they own the planet' comments then and it isn't worth it... I like people but can people please look where they are going and keep an eye on their children please?

nannytone_2

oscar. i never said all scooter users. a large majority of scooter users are conscientous and courteous!
but as with anything, its the 'bad' ones that spouil things for everyone else.

i am registered blind so i know how difficult it can be to get around, albeit a different type of difficuklt.
but when the 'bad' scooter users expect everyone to make way for them, and i dont see them........well i dont think i need abuse as i am not as able bodied as i appear!

everyone deserves consideration, regardless of disability!


btw i saw something strange today. my next door but one neighbour has a scooter. today her perfectly able bodied son chose to go to the shops on it!

[Deleted User]

I get this syndrome when pushing my mum in her wheelchair round shops that have the aisles filled with clutter and round stores that refuses to acknowledge that a person in a wheelchair needs space to manouvre around and between the exhibits - BHS, M&S et al - take note please. If you are you wondering why many of your clothes racks end up on the floor it's cos we are unable to get round them without them catching on the wheelchair and topping over.

Oscar_The_Grouch

nannytone wrote: »

i'm not so sure that some of the bigger scooters should even be on the opavement.

So you say the above and then go on to say:

nannytone wrote: »

oscar. i never said all scooter users. a large majority of scooter users are conscientous and courteous!

No; you didn't say all scooter users, but you did imply that the users of the larger, faster scooters should be banned from the pavement.

nannytone wrote: »

i am registered blind

I know; hence my quip about dogs on busses.

nannytone wrote: »

but when the 'bad' scooter users expect everyone to make way for them, and i dont see them........well i dont think i need abuse as i am not as able bodied as i appear!

So once again, when some idiot walks into our path, it's our fault. Well, on behalf of all scooter users of the UK, I would like to pass on our humble apologies for the fact that you got in our way. We are all really sorry that we have a physical disability that is easily aparant and you don't. It's entirely our fault and we will do everything we can to make sure that we apologise to every moron who doesn't look where they are going.

nannytone wrote: »

btw i saw something strange today. my next door but one neighbour has a scooter. today her perfectly able bodied son chose to go to the shops on it!

And I would like to extend the apologies of all UK scooter users for letting someone legally drive a scooter when they are not disabled. Quite clearly, we are in the wrong here.