Déjà vu or a parallel universe? “Arona to ban scooters” – again

[Perikles]

On a similar theme, Barcelona bans segways

[Marion]

They are illegal in Britain, which is quite a shame as there is a fantastic wheelchair which can be built using a Segway.

[Myrtle Hogan-Lance]

They are illegal in Britain, which is quite a shame as there is a fantastic wheelchair which can be built using a Segway.

I didn't know that! 

I had a friend in California who used one to get everywhere; he had a heart condition and the Segway allowed him to get around.

[Marion]

The whhechair I saw was great because it just needed a little tilt to move forwards. It could turn on a dime. And it has a powerful motor. To be legal in the uk a scooter/powered wheel chair needs to be limited to 4mph for pavement use and for street use needs a switch to change it from 4 to 8 mph and have a separate brake.

[Janet]

This is not about the disabled. The problem in Tenerife isn't disability vehicles, it's what one authority who shall remain nameless said was the "lower class of visitor we're getting now that they can't go to Sharm or Tunisia". They race along pavements, two abreast, often drunk, and have caused two fairly serious accidents in the past ten days. They are able to do it because Adeje and Arona have tried to act jointly, as they increasingly do, to enable start up businesses to avoid the heavy paperwork ... and they seem incapable of chasing up the licences they gave, or even knowing what they were for.

It's not rocket science. If the licences were for disabled services, the double scooters are illegal because they are not legally defined as for the disabled. I know some will say that they are so let me just say that I have this from a guaranteed source: they are not disabled vehicles here. They are not even legal on pavements! They are vehicles which are required to be ridden on the roads with helmets, and insurance. The fact that they are 1) not for the disabled and 2) only for the roads, means they're doubly illegal if they are hired out by companies who rent disability services.

All that needs to happen is that the councils set some rules - like requiring to see proof of disability (blue badge) and the police told to stop them being used on pavements. And if they are found on roads, fines have to be issued to the riders if they aren't wearing a helmet, and further fines issued to the rental companies if there is no insurance or they haven't checked the proof of disability (perhaps a photocopy attached to the rental agreement).

If the licences were for leisure services, then these "services need to be defined", and they need to exclude use on pavements, without insurance, and without helmets.

That should do it.

Why is it so bloody difficult?

Answer on a postcard ...

[Marion]

The problem I have is due to the narrow width of pavements occasionally I need to use the road. I've put a disability vest on the back of the seat and use my indicators as hazard warnings if I do need to go on the road.

[Perikles]

Now Prague bans segways. It'll be Ulan Bator next.

[Janet]

it'll be everywhere apart from the Costa Adeje!

[Michael]

I wonder if the authorities will come and deliver your 'big warm hug' when you're lying in Hospiten Sur with an electric buggy wedged up your arse? 

[Janet]

no no, because that's the Cabildo doing the hugging, but the Ayuntamientos failing to do the banning ...