4WD designed for `scooter hoons'

A Whangarei engineer has designed a four-wheel drive off-road mobility scooter aimed at "young or old hoons" who still want to get out there and fun.
Wheelchair user and engineer John Sturmfels from MMB Engineering designed the scooter after finding he wanted to go places other mobility scooters couldn't access.
"People still want to get out there and have the freedom to enjoy themselves. Things like going on the beach, using walking tracks or going camping with your mates are possible with this," he said.
Mr Sturmfels says the petrol-powered 150cc scooter is even capable of climbing Mount Parihaka.
Classed as a mobility scooter - so eligible to be used on footpaths where the speed limit is 7km/h - it has the potential to reach up to 100km/h although Mr Sturmfels said he wouldn't want to try it at that speed.
The machines are being made to order costing around $10,000 - with an engine and transaxle taken from a quad bike.
Although 4WD mobility scooters were already available, they were limited by electric power, he said.
Opae Pepene from CCS Disability Action is the owner of an electric 4WD mobility scooter which he uses for fishing on the beach.
"The petrol-powered scooter would be better as you wouldn't have to worry about running out of power or the components getting wet. Quite a few times I've got stuck on the beach," Mr Pepene said.
"This model would save you from always having to plan ahead. It'll give people the freedom to do really simple things."
The mobility scooter will be exhibited at the Scoot N Safely seminar on September 16 at Forum North.
Mr Sturmfels has ambitious plans for his invention.
"I hope one day to ride the scooter from Cape Reinga to Bluff. That's my goal for Christmas 2008."
• For more information on the Scoot N Safely seminar contact (09) 438 8043.