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Segway/standing mobility scooter

Shivvy

Hi, I wondered if there was such a thing as a disability designated Segway. I notice the actor Lenny Rush uses one and I wondered if they can be obtained in the UK and what the rules are. OT is currently looking at powered chair for my child to use in secondary school as the site is big, however he is ambulant (although tires easily so here the need for some form of adaption) I wondered if there were any other options other than a seated power chair

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newborn

What clever parents you are! At times it is best to use what suits. ignoring what is on an NHS list. Can you find somewhere to try out Segways? Admittedly it needs a bit more practice than a chair, and admittedly the OT will be scared to advise him to use anything but a chair. But only for box ticking reasons because novel ideas are discouraged by beaurocratic systems.

Some charities specialise in children's wheelchairs and maybe wouldhave experience of 'wheelchair- alternatives'?

Segway USA willbe sure to have examples where this is used for exactly that purpose:i.e. The user is not less strong or less mobile than average, but is more quickly tired. (Probably a firm rule about wearing a helmet wouldbe needed) You will need good research to convince the school it counts as an alternative wheelchair in case they worry about insurance and health and safety and fear he will mow others down in the playground (He won't, and an electric wheelchair makes a far more serious weapon!)

But your idea could be brilliant for various reasons, one being 'cool' among his peers, another being more easily transported, or carried/dragged. The good thing about standing at eye level with the others is he can keep being included easily in conversations, and can see everything others can.

Obviously his new school would have to make a firm rule nobody is allowed to ride it except for him, and he is not allowed to give anyone permission. Again maybe Segway or a charity would have information and suggestions. You might consider, if necessary, being creative with fact and telling him it is insured exclusively for him and on the basis of an electric wheelchair. So if his best friends ride it down the path in your own back garden, you could make a show of wanting to confirm with their parents that if there is an accident, you have an email in advance confirming they fully accept any risk and liability for their own child.

Shivvy

thank you so much newborn for such a comprehensive answer and some great tips there that I will definitely take on. Much appreciated

Shivvy

No news - still hoping to find a powered chair alternative

Shivvy

Have not been able to find one to try - need a child's version

Wibbles

A full sized Segway is capable of at least a speedy 12.5mph - any mini version will HAVE to be somehow restricted to 4mph - but yes this is potentially a good move …

Even the https://store.segway.com/ninebot-s-kids is capable of 8.7mph - this is over double the legal limit of a powered wheelchair. so would have to be permanently restricted to 4mph !

Shivvy

really appreciate the advice and links thank you. The speed issue is such an important factor too

Wibbles

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/885167#Comment_885167

I am guessing that you are from "across the pond" ?

We do things slightly differently in the UK - We limit mobility scooters etc to 4mph (unless they are road legal class 3, in which case - they need to be registered with DVLA and can then do 8mph on roads (not bus lanes though).

4mph is the limit of any "vehicle" on pavements as well.

At the moment - Segways or any "hoverboard" are illegal for ANYONE to use in public areas in UK (roads and/or pavements) at any speed.

The only place that a Segway can be legally used in on private property in UK.

I assume that Lenny Rush only uses his segway on private property - because he will be breaking the law otherwise.

Wibbles

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/885213#Comment_885213

You've already said that…

Wibbles

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/886897#Comment_886897

Sorry but… https://www.theukrules.co.uk/news/sports-and-leisure/hoverboard-laws/#segway_law

including:

In legal terms, the police consider these devices as motor vehicles.
As such, they are subject to standard legal requirements that apply to
cars or motorcycles, including:

They cannot therefore be used on a road unless they conform to the
law and many such vehicles will never be ‘road legal’ as their design
fails to meet UK or EC road vehicle standards.

Furthermore, such vehicles cannot legally be used on the pavement
either, in fact the only place they can be used is on private land with
the landowner’s permission.

People often believe the law doesn’t apply because some of these
vehicles are small – like children’s toys. But, UK hoverboard
legislation does not exempt ‘toys’.

In fact, the physical size of a vehicle is not used as an indicator of whether it qualifies as a child’s toy.

If young people use such vehicles on the road or pavement the rider
may be committing several offences. Moreover, the parents may also face
prosecution for aiding and abetting or permitting the offences.

Wibbles

I have a personal reason for hating these "Hoverboard / Scooters"

We live in an area with several families who don't think about anyone other than themselves and use scooters as daily transport - despite it being totally illegal - they often shoot past our house at (clearly) over 30mph - and ignore rules of the road, using both sides of the road and often two up….our road is a 20mph limit !

In fact there was one yesterday evening - who shot past at an estimated 50mph.

I feel like reporting them, anonymously to the police - but the police would do absolutely nothing.

Wibbles

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/887434#Comment_887434

No - as long as the disabled person follows the law !!

This disabled person is breaking the law - so should suffer the penalties

Wibbles

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/891756#Comment_891756

Yes - but they are ALL illegal to use on public roads and/or pavements in UK

The only place that ANY electric scooters/hoverboards can be used is in private gardens !

So please stop advising that people try them

Lets_go

I am labelled with ambulatory multiple disabilities needs. A while back I was in Paris with my young carer teen son. He was keen to have a go on the Vespa looking stand-up Segways for a short tour of various sites along the seine. I had struggled and stopped using the metro, as stairs impossible. So wondered how I would cope on a Segway. In my case it was revelatory. Yes my ankles were swollen after, but the exhilaration of being able to move at any pace and to focus on the tour guide’s descriptions of sites, was amazing! In France they create walkways with cycle/segway/scooter/electric chair paths andjacent deliberately for such mobility. It makes complete sense. I am sad there is no such option in the UK (outside of private land), especially in more parochial areas and towns, where it is good to get some fresh air and enjoy the scenery or to attend a large festival.
Does anyone know if there is a lobby to make Segways possible for ambulatory disabled? Ps: we would definitely need a kick-stand switch on the handle bar area of Segway though. Pps: I realise the guy who invented the Segway died by falling off a cliff on one when playing golf!

Rosie_Scope

I haven't heard about any schemes like this @Lets_go, but I'll keep an eye out. Maybe some of our members might know more. Glad you had a good time in Paris, though! That sounds lovely Segwaying along the Seine 😊

Wibbles

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1020385#Comment_1020385

A Class 3 mobility scooter: NOT segway - segways are illegal to use in public by anyone !

Is road-legal in the UK and some other countries.
Can go up to 8 mph.
Requires the user to be at least 14 years old (in the UK).
Is designed for adults with disabilities or mobility issues.
Models like the Segway-Ninebot F2 series are designed for riders aged 14 and above.
These electric scooters typically have a top speed of up to 15.5 mph and are equipped with features such as front and rear suspension, LED lighting, and app connectivity.
They are suitable for private property use, as their use on public roads is restricted in many areas - including the UK