British MP suggests 5kmh limit for Mobility Scooters
Greg Sweeney on his mobility scooter
As the debate about mobility scooter safety on the roads continues, a British MP has caused anger amongst mobility scooters users by Fraser Coast, by suggesting that a 5mph speed limit on all mobility scooters should be introduced.
The speed limit around the Fraser Coast in currently set at a limit 10kmh. Local mobility scooter user Grey Sweeney has labeled the suggestion as “ridiculous”, saying that the majority of mobility scooter users apply common sense when riding around the roads, towns and public spaces.
“On footpaths around town I slow down and inside shopping centres I go at a minimum speed.
“It’s a bit like a car – you have to ride to the conditions.
“I’ve never crashed my scooter but I have nearly been taken out by motorists a couple of times.
“The scooter is basically a motorised wheelchair for people who can’t walk and most riders I see are very responsible.”
Mr Sweeney attended a Safe Scooter education session held in Torquay, and said that he also received some basic instruction when he bought his scooter.
Another woman said the real issue was making footpaths safer for mobility scooter users. She claimed to have been verbally abused frequently by pedestrians for using her mobility scooter on footpaths.
And so this contentious issue continues to feature in the media, and yet more incidents are likely to occur until governments start to consider how to address the growing number of mobility scooters on our roads.
