Back in the day at 16 we jumped onto our mopeds and could ride anywhere at 50mph on provisional license. Do you think that the modern generation of kids cannot manage 15mph on a scooter? A few seem to manage it OK on bicycles.
How come it isn't a major issue in Europe? Rental or ownership seems to work ok, including legislation and insurance.
You have a point, but there was a fraction of the traffic around then, and most e-scooters are ridden in busy towns and cities. Additionally your speedo might have indicated 50mph, but most Gileras, fsies and AP50s would only manage low 40s in reality. Legislation was quickly brought in to reign them back to a 30mph limit, presumably because of the amount of speed related accidents of inexperienced 16 year old riders. Fortunately I suffered nothing more serious than gravel rash when I had mine, though I did collide with a wall within 20 miles of getting mine.
Yes, we did but as @Geoffrey Lebowski said - things were a lot quieter on the roads then (in fairly busy East Surrey). Also, I'd had 6 or 7 years of road cycling before I got my moped so was (I think) very aware of other road users. All mopeds in my 50cc year - 1973 - were max 30mph without engine mods. Also - my perspective today is from living in a very busy city (Bristol) where the standard of driving is awful!
The scooters only do a max of 15.5mph. EU figures show the accident rate to be within acceptable levels. I think our youngsters can manage that. Why aren't people with full licences allowed to ride scooters legally? I crashed my AP50 on my first ride into the petrol pump!
Mopeds were slower in 1973? I guess the manufacturers simply hadn't developed them. The official restrictions came in 1978. The roads may well have been less busy in East Surrey, but they weren't in London or other cities and broadly people were fine. Perhaps kids should only be allowed a motorised scooter at a later age. But they -and everyone else- should be allowed to use them at 16 as a licence holder. Its nonsensical for anyone to suggest that we can ride and drive yet not stand on a scooter!
Electric Scooters doing 15MPH on the roads, those that haven't been hacked, are dangerous, especially with impatient drivers going round them, those 2-up probably only manage 10-12MPH. Mopeds at least keep up with traffic in 30MPH limits. Most Electric Scooters however appear to be ridden on pavements, through pedestrian areas etc with no regard to anyone else. Or choosing to use the pavement when a set of lights would hinder their progress. I'd say 98% of moped riders wouldn't even consider that.
The world and his wife know how to get round the software to increase speed Jez - i met a few today and they were around 80 years old! It's the "type approval" and roadworthiness of the scooter that's a main part of the problem. Our government body/DVLA is struggling to keep on top of car and bike MOT procedures at a reasonable price without having to start looking at the hundreds of different E-Scooters, often ridden at speeds and in places that they shouldn't be.
Yes you are right in many respects. But its entirely the fault of government for ignoring the issue. Bicycles -touted by many to be the most wonderful thing ever- are rarely doing over a continuous 10mph either. Seems to be fine? If the rules had been made clear at the offset (as in the EU countries from what I saw last year) riders of scooters would know where and when to use them I think.
With few exceptions, people broadly conform to the rules of the road. Scooters users would be no different. The UK government prevents the import of all kinds of products. They could and should have pulled their heads out of their arses and regulated scooters too. The "scooter mess" exists because the government has done nothing. Continuing to do nothing will not change anything for the better.
My 1976 Fizzie and AP50 would do 45 mph. 50 mph with a spanny if you were prepared to rebuild the engine every weekend. Tiny drum brakes and skinny bicycle tyres meant mishaps were common though... If you didn't crash, you weren't trying.
Sorry Chris, but saying nothing doesn't change anything. If I'm missing something, I'm happy to have it pointed out. I'm unconvinced that scooters should not be allowed on the roads. I'm not at all sure that scooters should be restricted to 15mph. I see no reason whatsoever for adults who are licensed to drive being arbitrarily banned from using scooters. I think there's every chance that the youth can manage a scooter. Everyone saying nothing, leads to resentment and ever encroaching restrictions, like ubiquitous speed cams, Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, 20mph speed blanket without justification, ULEZ expansion, endless parking restrictions, huge increases in road tax, restrictive tests that make bike licences difficult & expensive to obtain, speed bumps on roads everywhere, smart motorways that lead to fatal accidents, sound restriction/ recorders -and the list goes on... Its time to speak up, complain to your MP, and if they aren't up to the job, find one that is.
This has been on our local news this morning. https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2...-teenage-girl-seriously-injured-in-bike-crash Note the bike was 'removed' from the scene before the Police arrived
^ and this is what we are up against, (I am alleging) even a 15-year-old's first thought was to have the presence of mind to get rid of some evidence. possibly me overreacting again but:- Two questions: – How can the police possibly pursue this to a satisfactory conclusion "with ease" given the above? What do you think the final budget will be - dealing with this case alone?
Yes, that's what the report says. But of course won't be pursued because the Lad can't have a driving Licence, wasn't 'Driving' a recognized road vehicle, and wasn't even on the road. And I'd expect the Bike has now disappeared for good. No action will be taken unless the Girls parents pursue a prosecution for endangering life or similar.
