Update: Got a picture of a young rider today--no helmet.
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Been seeing these a lot of places around. I've only seen three people riding them--all in their late teens or early twenties. I don't think any of them had a helmet on. Seems cool for that age group, though not for older people. And not useful for shopping or people with kids.
An Oregonian review answers some major questions like speed (15 mph), balance and safety issues (not the best).
Be interesting to see how they do here.
8 comments:
Be even more interesting to see them go away from here!
Does seem like an accident waiting to happen. Though I haven't noticed any problem yet. Few of them on the street and when I do see them, they are neatly parked. But, then I'm not pushing a baby carriage down the sidewalk either. And, it would not be fun to be stuck behind them at 15 mph in a car and seems dangerous to bikes if they use the bike lanes.
My, now 28 year old son, rode a Razor for less than five minutes at ten years of age. Then, I received the phone call. He was at the hospital.
He had broken his kneecap, middle of his kneecap. That day, at our local hospital, they weren't able to make a diagnosis. The next day, his upper leg had half his kneecap about four inches above his knee.
It took my ten year old more than four months to heal. And, that include two months in a wheel chair. And thanks, Children's Hospital in Seattle. One of the best experiences I've had with the medical world. (Give to Children's.)
The Fall he was recovered, it was back on the pitch. I ran his butt off. But, I ran every step with him. He finished his Senior year in high school earning a place on "The Wall," at his high school. That was at least, ten years ago.
He's still there.
Being a dad isn't about the money, the house, or the stuff. It's about being there for your children when they need you. Even when they "don't want to run." Today, he's a champion body builder, and a training coach.
But when I see these scooters, well, I hate them. My son still has a "feelable" pin in his right knee. But he's a great kid.
And, I love him.
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Thanks, OG. What a great story. What a special father you are.
These scooters seem poorly made in balance according to the review. I wouldn't want my nieces or nephews to ride them. But, I bet some of them will. Sigh.
Most of these "cool" kids things are dangerous. Skateboards, motorcycles, even bicycles--especially in traffic. It's hard as a parent to know what to allow let alone encourage. I'm glad your son had a happy ending. A cousin of mine had a son who was skilled at skateboarding and did competition. Now his ankles and knees are a mess. But, my cousin just tried to get him to weigh the cost and be as safe as possible. Some things are hard to come out of without ongoing bad effects--like professional football. My niece and her husband say firmly now that their two year old son will never play football. We'll see. The best laid plans of mice and men . . . .
Interesting and informative story, OG. Glad he made a decent recovery!
As for the scooters, I've never seen anyone riding one of those things with even minimal safety equipment. They're bad news waiting to happen.
Yes, I haven't seen a single rider with a helmet.
Or even a married rider with a helmet....
Heh!
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