This is MY scooter, flying the Ukrainian Flag, the Canadian Flag and my Regimental Flag (Signals/Comm/Elec) It is a Eclipse Bigfoot featuring a 4-pole, 1700W motor. That's more than 2 HP! It has a hard-case "Frunk", a foldable "Trunk", and a roof with frame. I take the roof off on nice days, but it can be folded back over the trunk. So...on with the story.
So, there's a lady down in Olds whom is in hot water for driving her "mobility scooter" on the sidewalks and trails.
A local sheriff offered her a $500 Fine if she does not park it. I understand her frustration. I got the same offer from our By Law officer when I tried to take a Segway onto our trails. It was a no-starter. BUT...
There is a disconnect with this story, and don't let the story line confuse you. The "Mobility Scooter" that she is driving, is not actually, in fact, a "Handicap Mobility Scooter" according to Standard Definitions.
Essentially, a mobility scooter is an electric mobility vehicle that allows one to sit in the seat and drive. It suits people who have problems moving and can increase ones independence.
By Necessity and safety, true full sized Handicap Mobility Scooters are limited to 9.7 mph - 16 kph.
 |
| Speed Dial |
This is usually broken up into two speed selections,
Slow and Fast.
In
addition to the tiller controls for speed, there is also a dial on the
dashboard to limit the top speed, for use in tight spaces such as in
stores.
Low Speed typically top out at around 7kph and High Speed at 16kph. This is all variable on the condition of the charge of the battery.
Smaller scooters may only have one speed as smaller ones have a much lower top speed - perhaps 7-10kph top speeds
Non Medical Mobility Scooters, have 3 speeds. The Third Speed is now the "High" speed, and is capable of moving the scooter as fast as 30kph.
In many 3-wheelers (and 2 and 4-wheelers as well) that can do these speeds, they DO require a Helmet, Registration and Insurance.
They are NOT allowed on
Sidewalks and Trails as they are not true "Mobility Scooters" for the
handicapped.
They are considered just "Scooters" and fall into the same
category as many scooters and other small mobile devices. Make note of this for later!
Under Alberta Law (Look in your copy of the AMA Drivers Handbook if you don't believe me) a handicapped person riding a Mobility Scooter (notice I identified the person as being Handicapped!) is considered a "Pedestrian".
With all the same Rights AND Responsibilities as a Pedestrian!
I've checked with an Esquire in Calgary years ago, specializing in Handicap issues, and Yes, we must adhere to the same rules as a person walking. This is why these scooters are allowed into stores. And Elevators. Busses. LRT's.
Under Alberta Law (Look in your copy of the AMA Drivers Handbook if you don't believe me) a handicapped person riding a Mobility Scooter (notice I identified the person as being Handicapped!) is considered a "Pedestrian".
With all the same Rights AND Responsibilities as a Pedestrian!
I've checked with an Esquire in Calgary years ago, specializing in Handicap issues, and Yes, we must adhere to the same rules as a person walking. This is why these scooters are allowed into stores. And Elevators. Busses. LRT's.
Note that every time I go to Edmonton, I ride the on my large scooter All. The. Time.
After she checked with a local judge, she confirmed that Handicapped Mobility Scooter Drivers can indeed drive upon paved roads, in the same manner a Pedestrian would walk on the road - On the Left side, Facing oncoming traffic, and as close to the road edge as possible. If there is a sidewalk on one side of the street, the Pedestrian should ride there, and not on the street.
Unless two circumstances intrude.
Is the Sidewalk/trail Reasonable?
Is the Sidewalk/trail Passable?
If not, then the Handicapped person has the Right to be on the Left side of the road, facing oncoming traffic.
I do so all the time, however, I will mention my personal ethical use of this clause:
I never ride on a 4-lane road - only Residential Roads with low traffic volume.
I
always try to stay as close to the curb as possible, however, when
passing parked vehicles, I try to maintain a minimum of 1 metre
separation when going by them. I own a vehicle too, and would be leery
of scratches as well.
If the road is too busy and the sidewalk/trail does not meet the safety requirements, then I find a different route.
Some other moral/ethical things to keep in mind if you ride as a handicapped Mobility Scooter rider.
You are operating a heavy device that can seriously harm a standing
person.
After she checked with a local judge, she confirmed that Handicapped Mobility Scooter Drivers can indeed drive upon paved roads, in the same manner a Pedestrian would walk on the road - On the Left side, Facing oncoming traffic, and as close to the road edge as possible. If there is a sidewalk on one side of the street, the Pedestrian should ride there, and not on the street.
Unless two circumstances intrude.
Is the Sidewalk/trail Reasonable?Is the Sidewalk/trail Passable?If not, then the Handicapped person has the Right to be on the Left side of the road, facing oncoming traffic.
I do so all the time, however, I will mention my personal ethical use of this clause:
I never ride on a 4-lane road - only Residential Roads with low traffic volume.I
always try to stay as close to the curb as possible, however, when
passing parked vehicles, I try to maintain a minimum of 1 metre
separation when going by them. I own a vehicle too, and would be leery
of scratches as well.If the road is too busy and the sidewalk/trail does not meet the safety requirements, then I find a different route.Some other moral/ethical things to keep in mind if you ride as a handicapped Mobility Scooter rider.
You are operating a heavy device that can seriously harm a standing
person. [Mine weighs almost 300lbs!]
Always give way to pedestrians,
defer to their requirements, because, after all, you are just sitting on
your arse doing nothing, so be kind and wait your turn.
Slow down passing folks with animals on leashes - in either direction.
Spooking one's animal is not a good way to go about making friends in
our community!
When entering/leaving a business establishment, take your time, slow
down, be precise in your steering so as to not damage the business
location and/or any stock within.
When inside a business, try to stay out of the way of pedestrians if at
all possible. Turn the speed selector to Low, and crank the speed dial
down at least half way. You don't need to go faster than 6 or 7kph in a
store. Even Walmart!If you knows someone who could use some training on the use, care and laws pertaining to operating a handicap Mobility Scooter, feel free to drop me a DM. I have lesson plans, a syllabus' and several scooters of various sizes and designs to practice on.
In the development of my lesson plans, I've had input from Edmonton Transit, Edmonton Police, RCMP and several good tips from some of the many British Mobility Scooter sites, especially the "Research Institute for Disabled Consumers".
If you own your own scooter, you are welcome to bring it with you. I'm sure I can help you with some maintenance aspects of the scooter you own.
I've seen a lot of crazy stuff in our city - a 3-wheeler in the Left Lane of the street in front of Home Depot, heading to WalMart - through the lights and intersection as if he was driving a car.
Obviously, no one has talked to him about his legal responsibilities and rights, and this could get him killed. One gent did get hit in an intersection last year. I truly hope it was not the same gent.
Please pass this information onwards to anyone you know owns a mobility scooter.
Please remember - always try to defer to folks walking.
Bicycles actually have to defer to you as a pedestrian.
So do Cars, trucks, busses, tankers and so on. But don't abuse this privilege.
Oh,
and the point of this Post?
I saw a photo of this lady's scooter, and I
strongly suspect that it is one that can do much faster than 16 kph,
making it ineligible to be a "Handicap Mobility Scooter.
A fully enclosed scooter that does only 16 kph
does not exist - so when you go out to buy one, make sure you know what
you want it for.
For example:
Gio Scooters now has an enclosed cabin for their GioGolf. It is a
3-speed with a 25kph top speed.. Illegal on sidewalks/trails. Nova Eclipse – 3-speed, max 32kph. Ditto 
Daymak Boomer Buggy – 20 kph. Ditto
ET4 Cruise. 25Kph. Ditto
Q Runner – 25mph. Ditto.
Afiscooter S3 – 9.2 mph – safe for trails/sidewalks. 
Not sure about
legalities of driving an enclosed device within a business/store.
There might
be security ramifications, but I would not drive this into a
store.
Additionally, it is a 3-wheeler, something I would NEVER recommend to a
handicapped person.
Shoprider Flagship 4-wheeler. 7 Mph max speed. Suitable for indoor/outdoor use. Very popular!
Shoprider Flagship 4-wheeler. 7 Mph max speed. Suitable for indoor/outdoor use. Very popular!
Punchline Time!
The TV interview of the woman with cerebral palsy shows her standing next to an enclosed scooter, and they very nicely took video of the scooter. It was a beautiful Gio Electric Enclosed scooter, and they ALL are 3-speed scooters, so are illegal on sidewalks and trails. (The Gio image below is the exact same as her scooter!)
Legally, she could register the
scooter, get a license plates and were a helmet, she would be allowed on
local roads. I've seen 2 scooter on Whyte Ave in Edmonton last summer,
license plates attached, wearing helmets, screaming at 30kph down the
street like they owned the world.
They do, but only at 30kph, and they have to remember they are the “small fish” in that pond!
She WAS guilty of breaking the law – until she gets the scooter registered. But she cannot drive it into a store as it is not a “Handicap Mobility Scooter” by definition.
I wonder if she could get permission from local police to forego the helmet, seeing as she is in an enclosed cabin?
Hmmmm, I doubt it.
That's just the way it is.
Ride Safe.
Arrive alive,
and in style!!!
Arrive alive,
and in style!!!
ET4
Daymak Boomer Buggy -
Nova Eclipse EV -
Gio Golf Enclosed -
MY scooters – Old and most recent one:
Invacare Comet Pro. Top speed -16 kph
Eclipse Bigfoot Top Speed - 16kph
While the Bigfoot can handle a bit more rougher ground, having a beefier suspension system, the Invacare Comet Pro was the most comfortable to sit and scoot around upon. If I could merge the good qualities of both, I would have created a perfect scooter for myself.
Let me know if you want any more information, or just to contact me about setting up a training session with several scooter owners.
Peace,
.- .-.
