I hate mobility scooters

[Domo]

I'm sorry, I just do.

I realise that they improve the standard of living for people with disabilities, but even IF 95% of people using them have medical issues, that's still one in twenty who DON'T NEED THEM.

And they're lethal little things. I've been run over by them six, seven times? They're like sharks - silent and deadly.

Put a dratted bell on the things!

 

[TLSnell1981]

They have horns, but no brakes.

 

[katrina1122]

Wow, not cool. I need one when I'm doing serious walking, ie Disney. We aren't using them to run you over. You do realize they don't stop on a dime right? Yes, I've hit people, but everyone of them has stepped in front of me and stopped. Or I was slowly going behind them while walking and they just stopped. Or they actually walk into me. When driving a scooter we are aware of our surroundings because bumps, cracks, etc can catch a wheel. We have to see the curb cuts coming to get up a sidewalk, we have to know our surroundings. When walking (as I usually do), we aren't nearly aware. We just wander, stop, turn and run into things, including scooters.
Oh, and they do have horns, and I use them all the time. They also make beeping noise while backing up. No one ever pays attention to either of them.

 

[sam_gordon]

Yes, I've hit people, but everyone of them has stepped in front of me and stopped.

Wouldn't that mean you're following too close though? If you take this to the automotive world... if you rear end the car in front of you (regardless of whether their brake lights were working or not), you're going to be "at fault".

 

[Patch'sD]

I feel the same way about cars and bicycles, Who ever invented the wheel never thought it through.

 

[bsblady01]

I wish Disney would make a lane for scooters and strollers, and a rule that they can not drive them on the sidewalks.

 

[slo]

Me too!!

The last time we were at WDW someone ran into my DD so hard that her shin was bleeding.
There was no excuse me, I'm sorry, nothing. They looked at her like - how dare you get in my path.
This person isn't the only rude person on those - I've encountered others.
Drives me crazy!!
It's the irritating people that always give a bad reputation for the nice people.

 

[Squirlz]

There was one in the Keys To The Kingdom tour group that started before ours last year. We kept catching up to that group because of the slowdown it caused. I think we missed a ride we were supposed to go on because of this. It's a walking tour and the description states you must be able to be on your feet for hours. It was very inconsiderate.

 

[Trinity88]

Wouldn't that mean you're following too close though? If you take this to the automotive world... if you rear end the car in front of you (regardless of whether their brake lights were working or not), you're going to be "at fault".

I don't use a scooter, but I would imagine that stopping a moving vehicle, no matter how slowly it's going, without brakes, takes a few seconds. I would also imagine that it's very difficult to leave space in front of you - people will fill into any space you leave.

 

[SLP958]

I work in rehab And mobility scooters are hated by all the Physical Therapists.

They say the scooters make disabled people more disabled and plain old lazy people disabled.

 

[TLSnell1981]

There was one in the Keys To The Kingdom tour group that started before ours last year. We kept catching up to that group because of the slowdown it caused. I think we missed a ride we were supposed to go on because of this. It's a walking tour and the description states you must be able to be on your feet for hours. It was very inconsiderate.

The mobility impaired have no business on a walking tour? Is this tour no longer wheelchair or ECV accessible? I can't believe they slowed the group down? I thought scooters gave them an advantage, over everyone else.

 

[pegrad1]

Wouldn't that mean you're following too close though? If you take this to the automotive world... if you rear end the car in front of you (regardless of whether their brake lights were working or not), you're going to be "at fault".

Isn't everyone in the parks following too close? hahaha! Everyone wants to get somewhere in the parks.

 

[THEDISNEYTHREE]

I would imagine the people on scooters who you walk right in front of don't care for you either.

 

[joannamet]

I work in rehab And mobility scooters are hated by all the Physical Therapists.

They say the scooters make disabled people more disabled and plain old lazy people disabled.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I've thought this for years and now I'm so glad to see someone say it!!!

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

I wish Disney would make a lane for scooters and strollers, and a rule that they can not drive them on the sidewalks.

There also should be a rule that kids can't drive the ECV while the adult sits. Spent 5 hours at Celebration Hospital in April due to a CHILD driving an ECV. I didn't walk out in front of them - this kid came out of no where at the 4 of us in our group. My shoe was still lodged under the front wheel of the scooter went it finally stopped. I was flat out on the concrete where I skidded after being hit. Not good. Now I'm left to pay a good chunk of hospital bills & I'm not happy. i was shook up so bad I didn't get the name of the rental company & the Disney bigwigs who talked to her got no information. not the way to start a family celebration vacation - riding in a wheelchair for 3 days. But on the good side nothing was broken. Severely bruised & ripped up skin everywhere was all.

 

[bdcp]

My issue with scooters is that they go so much faster than people walk which can cause problems, such as getting hit by one when you simply are walking along. I wish they would only move at the speed that an average person walks. If they're really for people who can't walk, that's the speed they should go at. As for abuses, I've also seen my share of people use them to board a cruise ship and then you never see them on it during the cruise except when it's time to get off and on. I've seen people dancing, walking all over the ship, etc who "needed" one to board.

 

[TheDisneyNurse]

I've been run over by ECV's at Disneyworld too many times to count. I've bled, I've been bruised, and I've been tripped. And almost always without an apology.

That being said, I have nothing but kind words about those who use ECV's. It helps them get around. It's not easy. It's hot, it's crowded, and it's a ton of walking. It prevents injuries, and helps those who are disabled have an amazing time. I'm so happy to be in the parks, I want everyone around me to feel just as happy and welcome

My father is obese, 56, with HTN and a bad back. I always worry about him when we're in the parks. Always asking him if he's doing alright. I really wish that stubborn man would rent an ECV. But that's another story... Lol.

 

[minnie mum]

I wish Disney would make a lane for scooters and strollers, and a rule that they can not drive them on the sidewalks.

And, of course, this lane would be for the use of ecvs and strollers only, right? Since they've been banned from the sidewalks and other parts of the street. No pedestrians allowed. To heck with their family members. Too bad if they might want to window shop. And they will have curb cuts every 10 feet so the ecvs can leave that lane and go into a restaurant or store or attraction? Yes, that seems truly ideal and practical.

Oh, and what about wheelchairs? Surely you would want to segregate them, too.


To the OP. I don't hate scooters. I feel very fortunate that I dont, yet, have to use one. And I don't hate all scooter drivers. Only the ones who do not know how to operate them safely. Which I think are a minority. And I really dislike the oblivious pedestrians who walk directly into the path of an ecv. Or stroller. Or wheelchair. Neither group are entirely blameless.

 

[mnrose]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I've thought this for years and now I'm so glad to see someone say it!!!

Defintely was true for my father. He was reasonably mobile UNTIL he decided he needed a scooter AND a lift chair. After that, his decline was fast. Real fast. He didn't use his legs or his core muscles, and they atrophied.

Now, I realize that this isn't true of ALL people in scooter, and not even MOST people in scooters, but it is definitely true for SOME people in scooters. Seen it with my own eyes.

OTOH, my FIL had MS, and he walked (or tried to walk) until the absolute bitter end. He fought using a cane, then fought against using a walker, then fought against a wheelchair. He used a wheelchair only at the very, very end of his life (last 18 months). He refused a scooter because at least with the wheelchair he was using (or trying to use) some of his muscles. He lived with MS for nearly 40 years, which was decades longer than anyone predicted. I firmly believe it was because of his strong desire to move as much as possible for as long as possible. He never gave up. Kept trying despite major obstacles being thrown in his path.

My father and FIL were obviously configured very differently in terms of resilience.

 

[Tiggeroo]

the problem here is people using them on highways and fairly large streets. They drive them like cars down the side of the road and often cross in the middle of the road. There have actually been several deaths in the past year or two from this. I would feel awful if I hit somebody. I would be scarred for life. But I could see how it could happen and be a complete accident. There should really be clear rules.