First time scooter users - practice, a lot!

[DisneyOma]

Just got back from our best WDW ever, except that my daughter got hit hard in the Kali queue by a panicked woman on an electric scooter. No idea what she was trying to do, but she managed to crash/lift the guard rail between us, hit my daughter in the leg, and get trapped between the back of the scooter and the rail. She almost crushed herself, and I'm grateful that my little grandchildren were not hit. My husband and two other men had to lift the rail and tilt the scooter to get it back under the rail.

First time users - before you get in a queue, practice stopping, turning, and backing up. Practice stopping quickly. My daughter had a nice bruise on her leg, and the poor woman on the scooter was so shaken up that I don't think she went on the ride.

 

[Goldelpack]

Also key to new users : use TURTLE speed until you have experience! I try to stay as far to the right as possible on walking areas and always check behind me when moving over. People are consistent with coming to a dead stop or crossing aimlessly ahead.

 

[elvispursley]

And in addition to turtle speed, leave plenty of space between you and the next person as well as anticipating a distracted guest to step out in front of you. Now is not the time to be gawking at everything around you!

I’ll also just add, be on the lookout for curbs! My mom, who is an experienced scooter driver, did not see a curb—it blended in with other walkway) and she crashed her scooter and fell, breaking her thumb. This was over by the e endurance to muppets courtyard on the way to galaxy’s edge).

 

[Pridemom]

Just got back from our best WDW ever, except that my daughter got hit hard in the Kali queue by a panicked woman on an electric scooter. No idea what she was trying to do, but she managed to crash/lift the guard rail between us, hit my daughter in the leg, and get trapped between the back of the scooter and the rail. She almost crushed herself, and I'm grateful that my little grandchildren were not hit. My husband and two other men had to lift the rail and tilt the scooter to get it back under the rail.

First time users - before you get in a queue, practice stopping, turning, and backing up. Practice stopping quickly. My daughter had a nice bruise on her leg, and the poor woman on the scooter was so shaken up that I don't think she went on the ride.

As an occasional ECV user, a short EVC driving course to assess ability to safely manage and operate an EVC would be a great idea.

EVCs do not have a brake. To stop you have to take your hand off the controller. I do agree you must be well aware and have quick reflexes. Lines are especially difficult because of the narrow space, inexperienced users, and how close people stand. Another part of the problem is that people don’t see EVCs since they sit below line of adult sight and people don’t walk predictably, like they would on a sidewalk and street location. Because there is no vehicle traffic, and pedestrian rules to remain safe, walkers are unpredictable and stop suddenly, make sudden turns, kids dart out in front of scooters, walkers zig and zag, etc. The EVC user has to constantly predict the actions of the walkers around them. All of these are instances where the stopping ability of an EVC puts user and walker at risk. It is exhausting. I am doing everything I can to avoid needing an EVC on my next trip, but RA is unpredictable.

 

[Lewisc]

use TURTLE speed until you have experience!

You might be using turtle speed exclusively in MK, DHS and probably EPCOT. Rabbit might work at resorts, parts of AK, around Crescent Lake etc.

Rabbit speed is faster then walking speed for many. You'll leave some of your group in the dust

 

[LuvMyEAR]

OP - So sorry that your daughter got banged up! I hope she was able to enjoy the remainder of her vacation without too much discomfort.

It can definitely take a hot minute to get used to Irving a vehicle with no brake, unless you are a seasoned driver of an electric car! A lot of other factors can play a part, though. 3-wheeled ECVs are very agile in the sharp turns found in most queues, but many new users do need to get used to how sharply they can turn, and how to control their speed while doing so. Travel companions can be a big help by showing patience, as well as preventing other parties from crowding up too close in those situations.

The most important thing ECV drivers must prepare themselves for is often being under a cloak of invisibility. That is my only explanation why pedestrians will step directly in front of you, or cut you off ruthlessly with their strollers. This will happen A LOT. Expect it. Anticipate it. Pretend you are navigating a kindergarten playground at lunchtime. It bites, but the reality is that these vehicles are motorized and can inflict a lot of damage, even when not at fault.

This may sound very negative and I assure you that it is not meant to discourage anyone who needs to use an ECV. They are wonderful devices which let you and your companions experience the trip far more comfortably. If someone is feeling very insecure about driving an ECV, please do practice before you travel, if possible. Many stores offer them for the mobility-challenged customers. If confidence and competence cannot be established, consider a wheelchair, provided there is someone willing and able to do the pushing.

Let me relate a happy experience from years ago. My 89 yr old mother was briefly introduced to an ECV at our resort and drove it happily for 10 days in WDW. She recognized her weak spots, though. Thick crowds after dark were way out of her comfort zone. DH and I would slip the device in neutral, push and steer it, with her in the seat. Or one of us would drive while Mom walked for a while. She took it over a curb once, but we were right there to make sure she did not panic or tip. She loved the ECV and particularly enjoyed the times when she had some wide open space to feel the “freedom of the road” as she missed driving a car. We have a cherished(???) memory of her zooming along a walkway along the edge of the Epcot parking lot, snug in her rain gear, while I chased her in the downpour as she was going further and further from our parked car. I was soaked, she was apologetic, and we laughed so hard we nearly cried.