General News
1 May, 2026
Scooters
BARRY'S CORNER: Scooters are in the news again for all the wrong reasons.
There been some crashes with a high injury rate as well as some fatal interactions with other vehicles.
These are the two wheeled platform with a small wheel front and rear with a handle on the front wheel.
traffic.
These things are an incredible machine that can be used as a commuter or a skate board down at the skate park.
Most communities have special and dedicated and designed skate parks well used by youngsters.
This is no passing fad it is here for a long time to come and we need to get used to it.
A few years ago, skate boards and scooters were not recognized by councils and authorities and even communities.
The real problem with scooters happened when some pointy head fitted an electric motor to one and started a new line of patients to the doctors.
The fast and flexible machines are nimble but fragile but ridden properly and with care they make a valuable addition to community.
A milk shake keeps them going most of the day and they are quite entertaining with well-practiced skills.
Attempts have tried to curb the enthusiasm and the speed to little result.
They have no outer shell such as you would find on a car and car drivers are often surprised by scooters appearing out of nowhere. Balance skills are crucial.
This is a community problem we cannot confine them to off road, or legislate them.
The Police find them hard catch and it is disappointing to have to involve the Police because their skills would be better utilized in teaching road behavior.
A scooter is a terrific vehicle and is a key to fast decision making and highly entertaining and is hard to keep upright.
Riders need to keep to the required speed limits and take extra care when mingling with motor cars.
Drivers are not looking out for scooters, they think because they are bigger is enough to get them off the hook.
As soon as drivers start to realize they are not bull dozers then so much the better.