hTTi

Spring is coming.
So 14yo friend of my child will now stop going to school by bus and instead go with e-scooter.

3.5km distance, 100% flat and pleasant Fahrradweg with zero cars.

WTF, why e-scooter and not bicycle? Answer from my child: because bicycle is too anstrengend.

This friend 2yr ago missed SIX WEEKS of school to have therapy to fight obesity. Still obese, like her mum.
Oh, it's maybe the genes.... whatever genes, for sure replacing the bicycle with an e-scooter does not help.

You can look at my avatar.
Yes, I'm judgemental.

14 years, too young for a "motor vehicle"

I got fascinated by derailleur gears, that led me into cycling. Perhaps she could be tempted by a Roloff hub, 14 gears, costs a grand (just the hub)

Glad he will be on a Fahrradweg with no cars. Still hope he wears a helmet.

Maybe getting out in the fresh air will do him some good.

I remember a project, documented by a father on the internet a few years ago:

He rigged his overweight son's Playstation -> One hour on the exercise bike allowed for one hour play time on the Playstation... No exercise, no Playstation...

Pointless if they're on an e-scooter for the entire journey! No weight is going to be lost like that!

I beg to differ. Getting out in the fresh air is never pointless. He may like it and do it more.

We don't know the full story. He could have been getting bullied on the bus.

Perhaps they are concerned that if they cycle, they'll arrive at school red faced, sweaty and a bit smelly. Maybe they never learnt to ride a bike and are ashamed. I'm sure the poor girl already feels ashamed enough about her weight. Is she bullied by teachers, students or her family about her obesity? If you include all the other body image issues girls her age (actually all ages) endure, perhaps she is also suffering with depression or low self esteem etc. Weight loss when you are not mentally healthy is incredibly difficult.

alma.freya wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2024 3:51 pm Is she bullied by teachers

If this is really going on, it needs to be reported to someone higher up.

Escafusa wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2024 3:55 pm Well let's hope so. But until they start actually using their legs to move around, no weight is going to be lost!
I can't see an e-scooter and an umbrella being a good or safe combination.

Someone's never been to the Netherlands

I see lots of e-scooter haters here. Contrary to what many people think, riding an e-scooter is an light exercise at the same level as walking.

I think the boy will do much better riding his e-scooter than sitting on the bus. And he will have definitely more fun.

alma.freya wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2024 4:02 pm Someone's never been to the Netherlands

Unless the umbrella is affixed to the scooter, it's asking for trouble and completely irresponsible. Don't they have a law saying that both hands have to be on the handlebar? Or they have that law but it is blatantly disregarded?!

Escafusa wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2024 4:05 pm

alma.freya wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2024 4:02 pm Someone's never been to the Netherlands

Unless the umbrella is affixed to the scooter, it's asking for trouble and completely irresponsible. Don't they have a law saying that both hands have to be on the handlebar? Or they have that law but it is blatantly disregarded?!

Dutch people regularly ride their bicycles with umbrellas. I don't see why they wouldn't with e-scooters. Also they don't wear helmets because they aren't necessary.

alma.freya wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2024 4:08 pm

Escafusa wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2024 4:05 pm

alma.freya wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2024 4:02 pm Someone's never been to the Netherlands

Unless the umbrella is affixed to the scooter, it's asking for trouble and completely irresponsible. Don't they have a law saying that both hands have to be on the handlebar? Or they have that law but it is blatantly disregarded?!

Dutch people regularly ride their bicycles with umbrellas. I don't see why they wouldn't with e-scooters. Also they don't wear helmets because they aren't necessary.

Riding a bicycle with one hand = Easy Peasy
Riding an e-scooter with one hand = Extremely difficult and very dangerous.

Escafusa wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2024 4:12 pm

Krieg wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2024 4:04 pm I see lots of e-scooter haters here.

I only hate them in two situations:
- firstly when they are on the pavement, which is extremely dangerous for pedestrians (I've no idea if it's illegal - perhaps someone here knows?)
- secondly when I read an article about an tragic accident involving one where someone has lost their life.

This must also apply to bicycles, right?

Escafusa wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2024 4:12 pm

Krieg wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2024 4:04 pm I see lots of e-scooter haters here.

I only hate them in two situations:
- firstly when they are on the pavement, which is extremely dangerous for pedestrians (I've no idea if it's illegal - perhaps someone here knows?)
- secondly when I read an article about an tragic accident involving one where someone has lost their life.

E-scooters are not allowed on the sidewalk. They are like bicycles, they have to be on the bicycle path or on the road like cars.

Escafusa wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2024 4:23 pm But presumably both are illegal?

I do not think riding a bicycle with one hand is illegal, otherwise how are you going to indicate your turns?

alma.freya wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2024 4:13 pm But since those e-scooter things tend to speed up much more quickly than bicycles, they're more dangerous.

e-Scooters are slower than bicycles. At least in Germany.

Escafusa wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2024 4:32 pm

Krieg wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2024 4:28 pmI do not think riding a bicycle with one hand is illegal, otherwise how are you going to indicate your turns?

I don't know if it is illegal to ride with one hand, I was under the impression it was in some countries. Presumably there is an exception for when indicating. Holding an umbrella though should not be tolerated.

There is no fine for riding a bicycle with one hand. There is a fine for riding with no hands. Riding a bicycle with one hand is mostly safe and in general accepted as long as you have control of the bicycle. Of course if you are riding a bicycle and carrying a TV on one hand the Police might not like it.

Riding an e-Scooter with one hand is very difficult for more than a couple of seconds and it is very dangerous. I guess if you really train you can get used to do it but I don't see anyone doing it.

I've never used a scooter so I assumed you could also use it one handed. But I suppose the physics and centre of gravity are different and it doesn't balance by itself when it's moving forward like a bicycle.

Also they don't wear helmets because they aren't necessary.

Helmets (on a bicycle) are not mandatory in NL. Nor are they in D.

I've never seen a rental e-scooter parked on the sidewalk with a helmet on it. Must not be against the law to ride without one.

I saw a good suggestion: number plates for cyclists to encourage them to obey the law

Seems a great idea, why, does one ever ever see a motor vehicle with a number plate breaking the law?