h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I'm 61 and thinking of swapping a weekly bus ride to one of my jobs for a scooter. The distance is a half hour walk mostly alongside a guided busway.

Not at all as long as you have the skill to "drive" it. You are going to use it as a tool not a toy, so why not.

Do you mean one with a motor/engine or something you push along with your foot?

If I lived in an urban area, I'd get one of these.

http://www.wired.com/2016/01/electric-scooters-uscooter-future/

How micro is micro? People might laugh at you if you are too big for the scooter.

One of the major advantages of growing older is that you don't care about laughing onlookers.
= go for it!

I would check local law before committing. According to this site, it seems in the UK you can't ride on the road without tax, insurance, etc, but you can't ride on the pavement either

http://www.askthe.police.uk/content/Q361.htm

I don't know how up to date this info is, though.

Deb

Surely an eight-year-old kid would be able to ride a bicycle somewhere?

I think my route is OK, it's meant for cycles & pedestrians.
Don't want to spend loads as it wouldn't be for frequent use - just a basic kick scooter.

Today as it was half term & so little traffic, drove all the way - cheaper to park on site than use the bus plus no waiting. Next week will be the usual traffic jam so park & bus again.

paulh, they're motorised so not in the same class as bikes. From what I read, they can be used on private land and that's about it in the UK. It could be the law has changed since the article I linked to was put up.

Deb

Can anyone explain exactly how to use the rear wheel brake on a scooter? My only experience of scooters was years ago before such additional features!

I thought it was a pedal near the rear wheel which is the only one that has a break

"they're motorised so not in the same class as bikes." [Deb]

But Motorcycles are motorised, and surely they are allowed on public roads. So why couldn't you pick something motorised that would be allowable? I don't know what all the possibilities might be, but there must be something.....

Motorised buggies that those frail or with disabilities might use?

I think you'll be OK.I doubt anyone will comment or complain..

http://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2013-10/enhanced/webdr02/30/7/enhanced-buzz-25160-1383131234-0.jpg

PP

I'm still not clear whether you are talking about a motorised scooter or not.

I see no reason why a 61-year-old shouldn't use a non-motorised scooter for going down hills, but you'll probably have to walk up the hills. Is the scooter heavy enough to make it difficult to carry?

If it is non-motorised, the brake is usually a thing that looks like a mud guard over the back wheel. You just stand on it to stop the scooter.

I was talking about non-motorised. Wasn't sure if one is supposed to use the kicking foot on the brake or somehow slide the standing one back?

Having second thoughts now anyway, may just stick with the bus ride!

You would use your kicking foot. But you may also switch occasionally. It's been a long time since I've ridden one, but they're easy to ride. Having handlebars makes them much easier than a skateboard, less reliance on pure balance. It's all rather intuitive.

Find a friend, neighbor or relative with small kids. Surely they'll have one or two lying around. Take one for a test spin.