I am forming a group to ban mobility scooters!!
By oldchem1
@oldchem1 (8132)
November 10, 2010 7:51am CST
I don't know what it is like near you, but in Lancaster - my nearest city - there seems to be endless amounts of people scooting around the streets - and worse still busy shops - on these electric scooter things!
I have just hobbled back in after a confrontation with one such instrument of torture.
I have been suffering with a really bad leg and am on antibiotics for a bad infection of the vein, it was just beginning to feel much better until a visit to my local Marks and Spencer's where a silly old man on a scooter barged right into it!
The pain was so bad I almost passed out, I felt sick - he just agave me a disdainful look as if to say I was in HIS way and scooted off, leaving me to hobble painfully back to my car.
Does anyone else get tired of these things scooting all around the toen and shops?
5 people like this
10 responses
@gdesjardin (1918)
• United States
10 Nov 10
Oh no! I can only imagine how bad that must have hurt. When my daughter had her staph infection she would cry out in the middle of night when she would turn in her sleep and end up laying on her leg. I think some of the people that ride those scooters are far to reckless. Some of those little devils go pretty fast and it get hit by one surely would hurt.
@gdesjardin (1918)
• United States
10 Nov 10
Oh no...I am so sorry. I know what a pain in the a$$ those infections can be. Maybe it is better to go and be safe and sorry later on. You don't want to mess with it getting reinfected. Then you need to hunt down that little scooter abuser!!! LOL
By the way, did you get my PM? Some people's messages aren't working, I just wanted to double check.
2 people like this
@alaskanray (4636)
• United States
10 Nov 10
LOL...actually, I have been wanting one for myself, kiddo. Maybe you should get one, too. Then at least if you collide with one, it'll be scooter to scooter rather than scooter to leg. 
If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.
I am sorry you had an accident but they do serve a purpose. After two knee operations, I have been lusting after a walk in tub and a scooter. Both are beyond my reach since Social Security won't let me have more than $2000 in savings and I am at the mercy of Medicare as far as trying to get my medical insurance to cover it.
I would be happy with an electric golf cart, truth be told, and surprisingly the golf cart is less expensive. Go figure.
If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.
I am sorry you had an accident but they do serve a purpose. After two knee operations, I have been lusting after a walk in tub and a scooter. Both are beyond my reach since Social Security won't let me have more than $2000 in savings and I am at the mercy of Medicare as far as trying to get my medical insurance to cover it. I would be happy with an electric golf cart, truth be told, and surprisingly the golf cart is less expensive. Go figure.1 person likes this
@alaskanray (4636)
• United States
10 Nov 10
Of course, I would have to leave the golf cart outside when I went shopping. 
1 person likes this
@alaskanray (4636)
• United States
10 Nov 10
Well, you take care of that leg of yours. Staph infections are nasty things and stubborn as all get out. My mom had a staph infection in her leg once and was hospitalized for weeks for it. Ice it for the pain and swelling. Huggies, kiddo. Wish I could come help take care of you!
1 person likes this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
11 Nov 10
Hi Oldchem
Yes I do to
I know that People need them but........... they need to be made aware that they have to go careful on them and respect the People round them
They are basically like a car .......driven with care
I find that People who are on them seem to think that they own the pavements, shops, shopping Centers, they think that we have to move out of the way and not them
I think there need to be put some law in Place for them
@alaskanray (4636)
• United States
11 Nov 10
As I said in another comment, it's not so much the scooter as the rudeness of the rider that is the problem. Hugs!
@ElicBxn (63252)
• United States
11 Nov 10
I don't have a problem with them, but I have noticed that some of these people act like they have right of way, but wait until something badder than they are arrives.
I've nearly hit one crossing against the light on a busy street and the MORON didn't ever look!
1 person likes this
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
10 Nov 10
Hi there Oldchem,
Well, I don't think that trying to ban them would get you anywhere. They do serve a purpose for a lot of people, after all. Where I live, we don't have much problems at all with them. I'm not sure if they have the same rules to follow as bicyclists or not but they just aren't all over and getting in everyone's way. If there are no rules in place for them, I would suggest that you petition your city government to enact some. It isn't fair to everyone else if they are allowed to just run rampant as it is a danger to others as well as themselves.
1 person likes this
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
10 Nov 10
I kind of thought you probably were being a bit sarcastic there but I get your point. I don't know of any business around where I live that allows them to be in the stores and they shouldn't be. I think you do have a legit gripe here and I was serious when I said I think you ought to push your local government to set up some rules for these things. Maybe you could find a group of like-minded people to all voice your thoughts together.Why are they allowed to be such a menace? They have laws that have to be obeyed by cyclists and small motor bikes and other off-road vehicles.
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
10 Nov 10
I know just how long I'd have taken a look like that from ANYbody! About two damed seconds before knocking his azz off that damned scooter thinsg! He shouldn't ha e had the damned thing in the store to begin with! What's next? Bikes? Motorcycles? What's wrong with these idiots these days?
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
11 Nov 10
Oh motorized carts for the handicapped or the elderly is one thing however, the carts that are being used for, in my opinion, 'lazy' people who don't like to walk to their destination shouldn't be brought into the stores period. People can and do get hurt. Kids aren't allowed to ride their bikes inside so why should a scooter be allowed unless and only unless its for the handicapped or elderly.
1 person likes this
@alaskanray (4636)
• United States
10 Nov 10
Actually, many stores offer motorized shopping carts for their patrons and so many scooter riders consider their scooters in the same category as those carts. As with anything, the problem isn't the scooters, it's the operators. This one was not as careful as he should have been and then compounded it by being rude and not apologizing. It all goes back to manners. I like to cut the elderly some slack and just assume the problem is senility rather than rudeness but either way it was wrong for him to not apologize.
1 person likes this
@alaskanray (4636)
• United States
11 Nov 10
Those are the scooters...they are for the handicapped...that we are talking about. Not like motorscooters. I know it gets confusing because we tend to call motorcycles scooters sometimes but these are the electric scooters that the handicapped get to assist them with mobility that we are talking about.
I know it gets confusing because we tend to call motorcycles scooters sometimes but these are the electric scooters that the handicapped get to assist them with mobility that we are talking about.1 person likes this
@joey_matthews (8354)
•
10 Nov 10
Theres not too many around here but there is when i'm on holiday. I don't think they should be banned for those who are disabled and cannot walk well or even at all because it helps them get around... but i don't think they should be used by people who can get around walking without them. The places that sell them should assess if the customer needs one and if they are capable of driving them properly, because alot of the people who have them nowadays can walk fine and drive too fast on them and expect everyone to move out of their way.
1 person likes this
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
10 Nov 10
Not many people here have them that I'm aware of around here. Though some stores have their own scooters set up with big shopping baskets attached so people can shop. Only thing I don't always like is some asles are too skinny for a regular cart & a scooter to pass each other in the aisle.
People are rude when shopping no matter if it's on a scooter, yack'n on a cell phone, or parking their cart awkwardly so you cannot pass.
How's your leg feeling?
1 person likes this
@Wizzywig (7847)
•
10 Nov 10
We have one man in our town who belts round the supermarket on his scooter scattering everyone in his path. he was admitted as a patient to the ward I worked on after tipping the thing over (probably taking the frozen food aisle corner on 2-wheels!!) Maybe they (along with pushbikes) should have to be taxed licensed & insured and subject to speed restrictions and other regulations? I seem to remember there was a case about a year ago, of some woman dragging a child along the ground after catching her with the scooter????
I am sure they provide a lifeline to independence for many people and would not want them banned - maybe a bit more responsibly controlled in some cases tho'.
1 person likes this
@oldchem1 (8132)
•
10 Nov 10
I don't really want them banned - in fact after today I could do with one!!
I do think those that drive on the roads should be taxed and insured though, I seem to remember not long ago two crashing into each other - sounds like something you'd see on Little Britain!!
1 person likes this
@Memnon (2170)
•
15 Nov 10
I have witnessed similar incidents, but spend little time in town at present. My partner works in the local hospital, and they have one guy who travels from one wing to another at breakneck speed.
Eventually he was apprehended by a very senior nurse who made it plain that if he continued to use the coridoor he may no longer be using the hospital!
I hope you are feeling better.
