e-Scooters - opinions?

[Franco Cozzo]

Seen a lot of these things being used privately in the greens-voting inner suburbs of Melbourne over the past few years, with it increasing even though they're 'illegal' in VIC:

Electric scooters are everywhere, but many are still illegal

Masters student Declan knows the way he gets to Melbourne University and work most days is illegal.

But fed up with what he calls Victoria’s “ridiculous” ban on privately owned electric scooters, he decided three years ago to do it anyway.

“It got to a point where I thought, this is so stupid, I’m just going to ride one,” said Declan – who asked that his last name not be published – en route to campus on Wednesday.

“You look at other states, or you look around the world where people are serious about action on climate change, e-scooters are the first thing – green transport is such a big deal.”

Declan says riding his scooter saves him 15 minutes getting to work compared with public transport, and he avoids at least three short car trips a week. Such benefits have driven a growing number of Melburnians to buy the electric devices from major retailers such as JB Hi-Fi and Harvey Norman, undeterred by fines of between $182 and $909 if caught riding the scooters on public roads.

https://www.theage.com.au/politics/v...14-p5atqc.html

Usually they tended to be women in a sun dress with a bicycle helmet pootling along the inner suburban roads while the rest of us sat in cars going nowhere

I think this is a good option for those who live in inner suburbia, gives you freedom from public transport for short trips, without needing to own a car if you live in the inner city suburbs as well. Its good from an environmental perspective too (if you ignore cheap chunk with lithium ion batteries ending up in landfill)

Some of them can do over 50km/h, which VIC Police seem to frown upon (supposed to be limit to 10km/h), but at the end of the day someone on a push bike could do that if they weren't a fat **** anyway so whats the difference?

The stupidity is that the only 'legal' ones are the rideshare services ones in inner suburban Melbourne, why legalise those and not privately owned ones? Absolutely ridiculous, Lime must have donated $5 to both majors election funds

Whats your thoughts? Good idea? Or get a car like everyone else ya cheap bastards.

[fordomatic]

Used one all last year 6km return each day. Saved me $17 parking a day, flogged it off for half what I paid at the end of the year. Loved it, rippa of a thing, did exactly what I needed it to do.

[Giant Cranium]

Once they are legal in Sydney it will be my commute to work. 8km each way. Will take the same time to cover as the car

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Whats your thoughts? Good idea? Or get a car like everyone else ya cheap bastards.

Buy a mountain bike and discover all the shortcuts that fat tyres make possible.

[whitelion65]

Run the b#@## over!

[GasoLane]

When they come with aircon, cruise, power windows and somewhere to sit I'll consider one.

[Citroënbender]

Sounds more like the Presidential golf buggy.

[Franco Cozzo]

[T3rminator]

Have downloaded the app, but not yet given them a try. Great idea, as long as people don't ride as arseholes. Curious how they keep the batteries charged, does someone go around changing the batteries over or is it solar powered?

I like the idea of cheap alternative transport. I used to ride the Boris Bikes to and from work when in London. Added bonus no helmets required on UK roads They also had dedicated bicycle "highways", I could get to and from work in under 30 mins for 1 quid each way

[CoupeKing]

I'd rather walk. I can outwalk it's battery life and get free low-impact exercise at the same time.

But I can still understand people who use them when time is off the essence. Short term fix for long term goals.

[Giant Cranium]

Originally Posted by CoupeKing

I'd rather walk. I can outwalk it's battery life and get free low-impact exercise at the same time.

But I can still understand people who use them when time is off the essence. Short term fix for long term goals.

You know it’s not for exercise right? It’s a form or transport.

[CoupeKing]

Originally Posted by Giant Cranium

It’s a form or transport.

Yes walking is. And it has been for at least the last 250 thousand years.

[Jastel]

Ridden sensibly...only 1 person, sober, no phone, lights on, helmet and respecting road rules I have no problems with them...unfortunately only about 20% of riders fall into this category.
Most of them are a menace to pedestrians and drivers.
The hire ones are also a menace to pedestrians when wrongly parked.

Qld is just toughening up all the rules surrounding them as what Blind Freddy could see would happen...did happen.

As for any green cred...they are charged by coal produced electricity?

[Franco Cozzo]

I like electric unicycles, but the price of them you might as well as buy a motorbike

https://e-riderz.com.au/product/vete...tric-unicycle/



Can cruise at 70km/h and a 100km+ range

[XP6]

Baby boomers hate them!

I say why not, long as they are obeying the rules who gives a ****.
Some of those newer designed E-Bikes are pretty cool just a pity backwards Babyboomer Australians must insist they be illegal if not limited to 200w... sad.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by GasoLane

When they come with aircon, cruise, power windows and somewhere to sit I'll consider one.

Don't forget the microwave. I know how much you like to cook on the road.

[chevypower]

A friend and I were into them way before they were “cool,” around 2003. Riding them around Melbourne CBD, Southbank and St Kilda. They were really fun. I tell people about that and they assume they didn’t take off back then because they weren’t that good. They haven’t changed much, they’re just more available and accepted. They help with personal mobility? They’re fun and cheap to ride, what’s not to like?

[Citroënbender]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Don't forget the microwave. I know how much you like to cook on the road.

Microwave? He’ll want one of those George Formby grills with it!

[Franco Cozzo]

Out and about in Sunbury, couple privately owned (see 'illegal') e-scooters getting around here at the moment - there's no rent-a-scooters out here in the wild north western suburbs, only red headed scooter pirates

Remember when Uber used to be illegal here in VIC and everyone was still using it anyway until the legislation eventually changed?

Saw a few rental ones being ridden on the footpath a few weeks ago, but it was 1AM Wednesday morning outside the casino so who cares

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by GasoLane

When they come with aircon, cruise, power windows and somewhere to sit I'll consider one.

That sounds like a mobility scooter….

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

Microwave? He’ll want one of those George Formby grills with it!

Turned out nice again didn’t it……

[nstg8a]

Rented one in Esperence the other day, was like 40c a minute or something.
Have to admit, I had a blast. Had a quick chat to a local hippy about his, topped out at 73kmh with his scrawny 50 odd kilos and had a 60-70km range. Said it cost more than his missus car lol.
Even had front and rear suspension.
I’ve been looking at one to suit my fat ***, but I don’t wanna spend a couple of grand on something I’ll then have to buy fake stickers for to hide the power ratings and stuff.

The rental I had topped out at 21 kmh, and was geofenced so certain areas it would only do 10kmh. Range of about 18-20km .

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Just wait until those law-breaking yobbos find out that racing these things is the latest in competitive racing:



These things max out at 100km/h! **** funny watching them 'race'.

I can see all of the current scooter owners racing out to get their 'S1-X' stickers, racing leathers and helmets to emulate their idols

[fordomatic]

Originally Posted by CoupeKing

Yes walking is. And it has been for at least the last 250 thousand years.

Should just sell your car mate, walk everywhere, been doing it 250 thousand years. No need for progression, should try bare feet as well, go full neanderthall

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by fordomatic

Should just sell your car mate, walk everywhere, been doing it 250 thousand years. No need for progression, should try bare feet as well, go full neanderthall

Whats the thoughts on those Segway things? The CEO accidentally drove one off a cliff and killed himself.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leeds-11416654

Kinda like a geeky less fashionable version of an e-scooter. I'm pretty sure they're on the VIC Police ****list too.

Originally Posted by FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0

Just wait until those law-breaking yobbos find out that racing these things is the latest in competitive racing:



These things max out at 100km/h! **** funny watching them 'race'.

I can see all of the current scooter owners racing out to get their 'S1-X' stickers, racing leathers and helmets to emulate their idols

Should give em weapons like bats and clubs and let them hit each other - would be perfect for how they're all bunched up in a pack.

EDIT: Looks like Segways on VicRoads ****list, which put them on Victoria Police's ****list.

It's police v VicRoads in battle over two wheels

A VICTORIA Police plan to issue patrol officers with a hi-tech chariot known as the Segway Human Transporter has been put on hold after striking an unexpected hitch: it is illegal.

After announcing last year that they hoped to buy several of the two-wheeled electric devices for city patrols, senior police were told by VicRoads that it is illegal to ride Segways, which are designed for footpaths, in public spaces in Victoria.

VicRoads considers the devices, which can be ridden on private property, to be the legal equivalent of miniature "monkey bikes", outlawed by the State Government last year.

The roads body is standing firm despite police attempts to have the law changed. But police vowed last night that they would continue to lobby.

At present, anyone riding a Segway in a public place could be fined $115 for driving an unregistered vehicle.

https://www.theage.com.au/national/i...11-ge1jy5.html

I could imagine Vic Police on Segways, with a helmet with a flashing red/blue LED on it, chasing people on e-scooters and e-bikes.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by Giant Cranium

Once they are legal in Sydney it will be my commute to work. 8km each way. Will take the same time to cover as the car

That's my thinking...

I think the ones sold in Sydney now must have a warning on the box that they are only to be used on private property.

Then there was that poor Sydney chap not so long ago that got done for riding an unregistered vehicle on the road, and with that an uninsured vehicle, and with that more fines of a substantial sum.

Not worth the risk. Apparently they will soon be legal in NSW, under certain conditions of course.

https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-a...f-983eaaf9113b

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

That's my thinking...

I think the ones sold in Sydney now must have a warning on the box that they are only to be used on private property.

Then there was that poor Sydney chap not so long ago that got done for riding an unregistered vehicle on the road, and with that an uninsured vehicle, and with that more fines of a substantial sum.

Not worth the risk. Apparently they will soon be legal in NSW, under certain conditions of course.

https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-a...f-983eaaf9113b

Rahul sounds like he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, like wouldn't you just tell the guy to **** off and be like don't do it again, or next time it'll hurt? Look at what he looks like, that dude's only offence he ever committed was leaving a 1 star google review because they used regular milk instead of soy milk in his latte.



Look at him, NSW Police tackling the big issues in Sydney

He got fined nearly 3x more than I did and I was up on summary offence charges - what an absolute joke.

He's going to contest in court, surely if you were the magistrate this is absolute face palm waste of time.

[MITCHAY]

They are everywhere around here both rentals and personal ones. If you can park your car further out for free or cheaper might be a good option.

[Rallye Sport]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Whats the thoughts on those Segway things? The CEO accidentally drove one off a cliff and killed himself.

The segway didn't work so well for me. Never been sea or car sick in my life but after 15 minutes on one of those I puked my guts up
Odd combination of leaning forwards and back to get them moving then from side to side to steer.

[T3rminator]

No one answered my charging question So I dug around a bit more...I believe the official term for someone going around charging the lime scooter is a "juicer" This juicer reckons you can make $5k+ a month in the US.....all done after hours......hmmmmmmmmmmmm. His claims are questionable, when you look at the condition of his phone...