But far from just joy riders, they’re also advocates.
The group now has about 19 members and meets regularly with Whanganui District Council roading manager Mark Allingham, council civil engineer Thorbjoerg Saevarsdottir and Horizons Regional Council road safety co-ordinator Val Overweel.
“They’re great. We hit them with things we’re not happy with or things that need repairing.
“It’s one thing to walk on footpaths, but when you’re on one of these things [scooters], it’s a totally different ride.
“On some footpaths, if you have false teeth, you’d lose the buggers. I’ve told [the council] that too.”
Allingham said he and Saevarsdottir joined the group for its Christmas function.
“They are living it every day. Every day, they are getting their groceries or going to the doctor,” he said.
“We can’t do everything, but if we can target specific bits [of footpath] that suit them and make their daily trips a bit easier, we are more than happy to do so.”
Noelene Lane at a mobility scooter education day at Central Baptist Church in 2014. Photo / NZME
Lane said it was not only older people who used mobility scooters, and all ages were welcome in the group.
“I’m just about 63 and I’ve been riding one since I was around 28.
“When I was 26, I had bleeding in the brain over in Australia and it left me completely paralysed on the left side.
“With physiotherapy and sheer determination, I got out of a wheelchair and walking, but with a limp.”
An epileptic seizure meant she was not allowed to drive for two years so she borrowed her grandmother’s mobility scooter to get to work at Castlecliff School.
“Away I went and the kids just loved it,” Lane said.
“Mate, now I use my scooter more than the car. I’d be lost without the damn thing.”
The group’s first rally takes members around Virginia Lake on January 27, starting opposite St John’s Hill Four Square at 10am.
“I’ll have to remind everyone on Monday, ‘don’t forget to charge your scooters’,” Lane said.
“And bring a packed lunch. We’ll stop halfway around for a bite to eat.”
Allingham said the group offered help and camaraderie, especially to those starting on mobility scooters.
“Noelene puts her own time and effort into keeping it going. There are great people in the community who continually do great work.
“She holds us to account too, there’s no doubt about it.”
For more information on the Whanganui Mobility Scooter Group, call Noelene Lane on 0277580471.
Mike Tweed is a multimedia journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle. Since starting in March 2020, he has dabbled in everything from sport to music. At present his focus is local government, primarily Whanganui District Council.
