On Wed, 02 Sep 2020 22:20:53 -0400, Paul <***@needed.invalid>
wrote:
<snip>
Post by PaulPost by T i mI think electric scooters offer a solution not found in anything else
in that it might be easier to keep dry in normal gear when standing
(compared with cycling) and it's much easier to carry and stow (<the
biggest problem in a country not typically known for actively
supporting personal transport solutions) at work (might go in a locker
etc).
I'm having to remove the rental scooters from the bicycle path myself.
I think that's purely the problem of them being 'rental' and the
system they are using to manage them. If they had to be 'docked' or
the rental clock would carry on running I suspect there wouldn't be
the issue.
It's also a reflection of just how few people are 'conscientious
citizens' any more, at least by leaving them out of the way (but
visible for collection). Like the local supermarket that have shopping
trolleys that have a locking wheel that stops people leaving the
shopping centre with them. That wasn't brought in because of us
because we *always* took them back. It's obvious that even with the £1
'deposit', many simply cba to go back to recoup their £1 (we used to
do it before the deposit because we just do).
Post by PaulI suspect the people who charge them at night, are leaving
them in the wrong place on purpose.
Isn't it the *users* that leave them in the wrong place, the
'chargers' have to find them and take them back to their facility and
mains power?
Post by PaulBut, you cannot be
creating a safety issue and expect me to just leave
rental garbage in the path, where a regular bike rider
could fall over it.
Agreed, but that also applies to litter like bottles and cans that
people seem happy to just drop. ;-(
Post by PaulI also remove tree limbs from the
path, if I run into one.
Or ideally, before you do. ;-)
Post by PaulThe behavior of policemen here, is a poor proxy for "what is the law",
as they're very picky about what work they will do.
I think that's not unexpected, given most Police persons can use their
discretion and so may rate different levels of social behaviour with
such.
Like, I believe someone cycling on the pavement (any one, any age) is
committing an offence but they are 1) unlikely to report for
prosecution children (especially the very small ones) and 2) unlikely
to do much more than give an adult a warning / some education,
*unless* they were caught acting irresponsibly or actually caused
damage or harm.
Post by PaulSorta like
going to an all-you-can-eat buffet and eating only roast beef
cuts and no veggies.
Sure. But that's partly their discretion, prioritising the workload as
they see best.
Post by PaulPeople can skateboard where ever they want,
with little fear of a ticket.
It seems it's even quite complex (here) if you try to pin it down.
https://play.decathlon.co.uk/articles/what-to-know-about-scooters-and-uk-law
I think the bigger the machine the more attention it might get from
the Police. A skateboard is mostly the rider, then a scooter, then a
cycle etc. The preliminary legal scooter rules prohibit them having a
seal or the facility to add a seat because that would further blur the
boundary between a (stand up) scooter and say and electric moped.
Post by PaulPeople can drive bicycles without
lights at night, and no one to stop them.
Nope, we see that here all the time but I've not seen anyone cycle
past a police car as such.
Post by PaulAt least these rental
scooters have a headlight, an achievement.
Yup.
I came to a T junction (from a side road) the other night and was
stopped at the line, looking right, waiting for a gap to pull out and
go left. Every so often I'd look left, just to gauge the general
traffic flow. As I was considering pulling out I looked left again
there was an electric scooterist, by the front of my car (so nearly
in the road and facing the oncoming traffic), wearing all dark
clothing and with as tiny flashing light stuck to his clothes
somewhere (that you only saw when he moved his arm). He proceeded to
remonstrate we me, when I had just been sitting there and he had
approached me, and chosen to try to go in front rather than behind
(where there was plenty of room and the crossover ramp etc).
1) He was in the wrong legally (on a non exempt motor vehicle on the
footpath).
2) He wasn't making himself conspicuous with any suitable clothing.
3) He wasn't displaying and clearly visible light.
4) He was going to cross in front of a vehicle on the public highway.
Post by PaulThe people who ride the scooters aren't the brightest
bunch.
This one didn't seem to be. ;-)
1) He was in the wrong legally (on a non exempt motor vehicle on the
footpath).
2) He wasn't making himself conspicuous with any suitable clothing.
3) He wasn't displaying and clearly visible light.
4) He was going to cross in front of a vehicle on the public highway.
But I think it may more typically reflect the lack of training and
testing you need to be able to use them.
Post by PaulBut at least in terms of head injury rates,
Mr.C.Darwin will rapidly sort out the customer base issue
for us.
I'm not sure what the science is re cycle helmets?
https://bicyclesafe.com/helmets.html
Similar logic with car safety belts. Drives might drive safer if there
was a 6" spike sticking out of the steering wheel. ;-)
Post by PaulBecause there will be riders out there, watching
a movie on their cellphone, while driving a scooter.
Suicidal.
Post by PaulSo far, I've not seen any of the scooter customers
wearing a helmet.
See above.
Personally, I wouldn't cycle / scooter without gloves, even for
recreational cyclists / children. I saw a girl come off her bike
whilst out walking the dog the other day, her head didn't hit the
ground but her hands did. Luckily I carried some first aid stuff and
was able to help her tend her wounds.
When we were touring on the tandem we did generally wear helmets
because the speeds / risks involved were much higher.
Post by PaulAnd some of the scooterettes are
coming out of pubs :-)
Over here you can still get 'done' for being 'unfit to ride through
drink or drugs' when on a bike so I'm guessing the rules would still
apply to a scooter (electric or otherwise)?
Post by PaulCould they be given a
breath test ? And if so, by whom ?
The Police I'm guessing?
Cheers, T i m