http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/topstories/Scooter-trial-aims-to-create.6726448.jp
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!
"Scooter trial aims to create buzz about green transport"
(10 posts)-
Posted 13 years ago #
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Interesting. I may or may not be employed by one of the companies in that trial. Will wait for some posters to go up or email to come around advertising it and look forward to scalping these electric scooters out on the road and giving them dissaproving glares for using the bus lanes :)
To be honest though, an electric assisted "proper bike" would be even better as it would get people pedalling, exercising then realising they don't need the batteries and motors after all...
But if it weans people out their cars - you can fit a lot more scooters on the roads than cars and I'm much happier going toe-to-toe with one of them than 2 tonnes and 200hp of steel and aluminium.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I have similarly seen no mention of this yet in my workplace. Perhaps they're initially concentrating on the people with the most offensively large cars, particularly those which protrude over the lines and threaten cycle racks or otherwise struggle to navigate the underground car park which was only designed for 1992 standards of oversized executive car.
Posted 13 years ago # -
"But if it weans people out their cars"
Yes, thought I wonder if car users/commuters will be targeted first.
Might appeal more to existing bus users.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I'm much happier going toe-to-toe with one of them than 2 tonnes and 200hp of steel and aluminium.
When you oh-so-nearly drop your motorbike during slow-speed parking manoeuvres, you will be convinced that it actually does weigh two tonnes!
Motorbikes and scooters are often the 'forgotten' mode in travel plans. Often it's assumed that 'everyone' learns to drive a car at some stage, even if that's just to make use of hire cars or pool vehicles, but scootists are comparable in size to cyclists and have similar load carrying capacity. The safety aspect is debateable -- UK legislation mandates at least an open face helmet -- but the rest of the gear can end up costing a fair whack, depending on how much you plan to use it. You can buy a full-face for £50 or so, or £450. You don't need a £300 jacket with armoured shoulders and elbows and a back protector, trousers with knee and hip armour and Kelvar panels, or gloves with carbon fibre knuckle armour...you don't need to drop a grand on made-to-measure leathers from BKS...but what price is skinned arms and legs? I saw a scooter rider go down quite hard on a roundabout in London just after a heavy rain shower, whilst moving at perhaps 10mph; it could equally have been me on my Brompton with nothing more than a couple of layers of lycra and padded mitts. Most scooter riders I see go for helmet, gloves and sturdy shoes, but look at the riders in Italy and helmets are about the limit of protection.
I've seen a Vectrix electric maxi-scooter several times on my commute and as well as it making very little noise, you really notice the lack of smell as it passes.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Tom (Kwik Fit) Farmer was very keen on these a few years back. His bet was that the congestion charge would produce growth in two wheeled alternatives...
His view was that businessmen and women will not use something with pedals so idea was to sell electric 'vespas'. That way when battery goes flat it's like a 'grown up' broken down car or motorbike.Market research has shown that scootering could equal cycling in the city if encouraged. At present powered two wheelers are under 2% of traffic so a bit behind bikes in popularity so far. This is despite pro powered lobby and advertising. I suspect though that as in Netherlands we will see a lot of more scooters of the petrol variety. (Mr Chi in Amsterdam 999 euros)
Think problem of growth is perceived (or real) risk of accidents. If Dutch model is followed then these lower powered scooters would be allowed to use the bike paths - although I'd prefer we didn't do that here.
Oddly enough I saw two guys on a powered quad bike on Chamber St. They were'n't wearng h****ts. Think one guy had just picked up other from court. Had a number plate taped on so all fine;-).
Posted 13 years ago # -
I've seen some miscreants in Grassmarket heading into Cowgate late at night - no fancy headgear but did have a numberplate.
Posted 13 years ago # -
That reminds me of a time I was driving north on the M6, somewhere around Tebay I think, and a guy on a very serious looking quadbike overtook me, doing at least 70mph.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Ive been driven through Rome several times on the back of a motorino. I mostly loved it, Italian traffic is great, but not if you are expecting to be told what to do. There are a lot of morino crashes tho. I was crossing the road once* when a scooter going to fast took out the back of the scooter stopped in front of me, and I literally lept over the pair as they slid along the road toward me. One man was in a suit the other shorts and t-shirt, both rode off.... mi piacanno gli Italiani :)
*crossing the road may look terrifying but is actually the best thing about Italian traffic, If you want to cross the road, you cross. Have a look, step out into the road. The traffic will stop for you. Anywhere.
Well, there is one place, between the collesium tube station and the collesium itself Nobody Ever Stops. :D There are two push button pedestrian crossings in the cit, both at the university. I think it was a 60s urban design experiment.
I feel pretty safe in Roman traffic tho. Drivers are expected to look where they are going.
Posted 13 years ago # -
"
... I guess I'm okay with the Council trialling electric scooters: but really; just what is wrong with Council staff using a bike instead?
"http://andrewburns.blogspot.com/2011/03/get-on-your-scooter.html
Posted 13 years ago #
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