Growing numbers of mobility scooter users prompt workshops on riding rules

They're out on the streets and their numbers are only going to increase.

Mobility scooters are an inevitable consequence of an ageing population and growing expectations among the elderly and disabled of greater independence and improved quality of life.

They are also becoming more accessible, with prices dropping from about $6000 a decade ago to just over $3000 today.

But that has brought with it new issues for pedestrians, motorists, police and scooter users themselves - issues being addressed at workshops nationwide.

The latest, at Feilding over the past two days, was organised by disability services agency CCS and the interdepartmental body Roadsafe Central.

"The issue really is you've got mobility scooters that can go as fast as a pushbike, in excess of 25km/h," said Constable Neil Steven.

"Getting those on the footpath is rather dangerous so everyone needs to know 6km/h, or a brisk walk, is the speed that they're allowed on the footpath. Any faster than that and they really need to be on the road."

Roadsafe co-ordinator Liz Lineham said there was concern in the community that little training was available for mobility scooter users on safety issues, maintenance and how they should behave on the roads and footpaths.

One idea put forward by workshop participants was for colour-coded town maps showing the best and safest routes.

Darwin Vincent's scooter has been part of his life for 10 years.

"It's made me a lot more independent," the 72-year-old said yesterday. "If I want an engineering job done or something like that I can just go and do it, whereas before I had to get my wife to get the car to take me."

Mr Steven said scooters were allowed on the road but they were not classed as motor vehicles. That did not mean they were exempt from traffic tickets.

"If they have an accident they're required to report it to police within 24 hours. If they cause an accident and injury or death is caused, they have the possibility of being fined $4500 or three months' imprisonment."

On the footpath, pedestrians and scooter users needed to respect each other's rights.

"They shouldn't be barging down the sidewalk, you know, 'Make way for me, I've got a mobility scooter'.

"We've heard some hairy tales of people crossing the road without looking."

Mr Steven said scooter users should apply common sense: use lights at night and wear reflective clothing, and if the scooter is fitted with indicators, use them.

As part of the workshop he devised a road - or should we say, footpath - test for participants round the Feilding town centre to apply some of the practical knowledge aired in the discussions.

Manawatu District Mayor Ian McKelvie joined in, having his first ride on a mobility scooter.

He said it gave him an appreciation of some of the hazards users faced and also an understanding of why well-maintained footpaths were so important.

"It wasn't a race," Mr Steven said afterwards. "The only rule was that if they stopped at the liquor store that would be points off."