Scooters aren't cars

If you have a mobility scooter, do you need insurance? In my vehicle, I have to carry liability, have a mirror, lights and registration. How about those driving scooters?

— Brett H., via e-mail

Brett, by mobility scooter, we assume you're referring to what Medford police Lt. Bob Hansen calls an "electric, personal-assistive device." They're also referred to as electric scooters and essentially serve the same purpose as an electric wheelchair — but they're much cooler for cruising about.

Since they are classified as motorized vehicles, Hansen says, they do have to meet certain guidelines — even though they are not specifically addressed in the Department of Motor Vehicles handbook.

The mobility scooter falls somewhere between a moped and a Segway. They must yield to pedestrians, not exceed 15 mph on bike lanes or paths, travel in the same direction as traffic and have a front light and rear reflector.

No title, registration or liability insurance is required for this kind of device.

David House, spokesman for DMV, says the only vehicles that require title and registration are those that meet U.S. Department of Transportation standards and have a vehicle identification number.

Bicycles, ATVs, mini bikes, scooters — and mobility scooters — don't fit into that classification.

Liability insurance is mandatory only for titled and registered vehicles, operating on public roadways.

"It would be really hard to do that much damage with something that small that doesn't move that fast," says House.

Nonetheless, Hansen says, anyone driving a mobility scooter while impaired could suffer legal consequences.

"If they are impaired, and they are on a motorized vehicle or even a bicycle, they can be arrested for driving under the influence," said Hansen.

Hansen said police are more concerned about other drivers than about the scooter operators. He urges drivers to be careful and suggests that scooters be equipped with a very visible flag.

Source: www.mailtribune.com

Man builds world's fastest mobility scooter.

A plumber has built the fastest mobility scooter in the world, capable of hitting 69mph.

Colin Furze, 31, spent nearly three months converting the machine which has a powerful 125cc motorbike engine installed under the seat, five gears and twin exhausts.

The petrol-powered super scooter, which is British racing green, can almost reach the national speed limit and keep up with cars on the motorway.

It does 10 miles to the gallon and is nearly nine times faster than an average mobility scooter which glides along at just 8mph.

"It is quite scary when I'm driving it fast as the frame is pretty flimsy and designed for going along at slow speeds," said Mr Furze, from Stamford, Lincs.

"You can't take your eyes off the road when driving it as any rash steering decisions could make it flip over and the slightest dip or bump in the road makes it drift off course."

Mr Furze decided to transform the scooter after he was given the machine by a friend.

He was determined to build the fastest mobility scooter in the world and applied to Guinness to set the record as there wasn't one already in place.

He was told his scooter would have to travel at least 61.4mph and still look like a commercial mobility scooter.

"You hear lots of people complain about scooters going really slowly around supermarkets and blocking the aisles so I thought it would be a laugh to make a really fast one," he said.

"I was told I could modify the engine but I wasn't allowed to change the appearance in any way so I couldn't give it bigger wheels or make it more stable.

"I initially tried experimenting with battery power but I only got to about 30mph and the batteries died really quickly so I knew then it would have to be petrol powered."

He removed a 125cc engine from his motorcross bike and spent a week rebuilding the frame of the scooter.

"I was a bit nervous when I first started it up as I wasn't sure if it would work, but it sounded good and got to 64mph, then 69mph very quickly," he added.

"I was worried it would be a real death trap to drive but it's not too bad when you get used to it.

"It takes people by surprise as it looks like the real thing but it's really noisy when it gets going."

Mr Furze is now going to do a time trial at the Santa Pod Raceway, Northants and hoping to gain a place in the Guinness Book of Records.

"I will be wearing full leathers and a crash helmet for the record attempt," he said. "My aim is to hit 70mph - that would make me really happy."

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Scooter speed limit 'ridiculous'

A SSuggestion by Maryborough MP Chris Foley to reduce the speed limit for mobility scooters to 5kmh has been labelled “ridiculous” by Fraser Coast scooter users.

The current speed limit is 10kmh.

Safe Scooter education sessions are held regularly in Hervey Bay.

Torquay man Greg Sweeney has attended one and was also instructed on scooter safety when he bought his scooter.

“Dropping the speed limit down to 5kmh is absolutely ridiculous,” he said.

“I’ve got one of the bigger scooters and I ride around the mobility corridor at about 10kmh.

“On footpaths around town I slow down and inside shopping centres I go at a minimum speed.

“It’s a bit like a car – you have to ride to the conditions.

“I’ve never crashed my scooter but I have nearly been taken out by motorists a couple of times.

“The scooter is basically a motorised wheelchair for people who can’t walk and most riders I see are very responsible.”

One Maryborough woman said the real issue was making footpaths safer for mobility scooter users.

The woman did not want to be named because she had already suffered abuse.

“I’ve been verbally abused because people think I’m not disabled,” she said.

“This scooter only does up to 9kmh and I go about as quick as an Olympic walker.”

She said a reduced speed limit for mobility scooters was not needed.

“If people are educated properly in the first place it’s not necessary,” she said.

“You can easily tip these things. The three-wheelers tip very easily.

“I am careful and when my scooter was donated to me I was shown all the dos and don’ts.”

Mr Foley suggested reducing the speed limit for scooters after receiving complaints from residents about “irresponsible” scooter riders causing accidents and injury to pedestrians.

He asked Transport Minister Rachel Nolan to consider introducing a speed limit of 5kmh – the average pedestrian speed – and restricting the maximum speed of the machines to 10kmh.