Confessions of a Grown-Up Kick-Scooter Rider | Hacker News Reader

Confessions of a Grown-Up Kick-Scooter Rider

wsj.com

34 pointsmonort46 comments

Haha, what a cultural difference. Here in good old France people have no shame, i see people on these things (called ‘trottinettes’ here) quite regularly. Must say i thought it was rather lame when i first saw it, i am more partial to cycling, myself (faster, less dependent on pristine road surface, etc.).

Here in Zürich it's one of the main means of getting about in the city. People have them everywhere.

You can also get Mountain Trottys: http://www.druesberghuette.ch/Druesberghuette/Trotty.html

I haven't tried one of those (I want to live).

Same in Lyon, France; I saw scooters over 100€ in the stores (because adults weigh more and want a smoother ride, I guess), and dozens of adults on scooters during commute hours. It was a big surprise to me because it's very rare to see adults on scooters in the US, except maybe that one uncle who drinks too much.

Maybe my self-preservation instinct is weak, but I'd love to try one of those 'Mountain Trottys'.

Shame? really, people feel shame for using a scooter?

Scooters are pretty common is Sydney, nobody you care about would bat an eyelid. My friend riders hers around Singapore and nobody other then the occasionally overzealous security guard cares.

Really is says more about the city/society you live in if you are looked down upon for something as simple as a scooter.

Well, I think a big part of why it's considered "lame" (if that) here in the States is primarily because these scooters made a HUGE hit among children about ten or fifteen years ago. So they are considered mostly for children. That being said, there is certainly a prejudice against some kinds of transportation that is considered "low class" or juvenile, like skateboards, mopeds, or public transportation, which is extremely unfortunate, as for most of my life it's all I had, and it's the same for many Americans without the luxury of a fancy automobile.

Mopeds are used by 20-somethings e.g. college students, not children. Or maybe I'm confused since I live in a college town. And who can't afford a bicycle? A scooter is pointless, not childish, because bicycles are a superior option.

In my inner-ring suburb of a major metropolitan US city, the 14-17 year old set roam the streets with impunity in gangs of mopeds. Once they can get a drivers' license, the mopeds get passed down to the next generation.

> bicycles are a superior option.

Except when you need to carry your vehicle on public transportation. Then it becomes a hassle. This was the original purpose of the foldable Razor scooter for use among Japanese commuters. I always thought they were a silly compromise for suburban children to use in light of the classic, larger wheeled scooters.

Cool, good to know!

Well, if we're going to be pedantic, "juvenile" includes 20-somethings. Also, pointless has nothing to do with a person's choosing something.

18 by law; pre-pubescent by social convention. Where did 20-somethings come from?

Just because you are being pedantic: http://lmgtfy.com/?q=juvenile+define

Uh, that's where I got my definition. And no thanks for the snarky link.

Bicycles are not a superior option for everyone and therefore scooters are not pointless.

.. which is why see so very many scooters in the streets, I guess.

I ride my sons skooter when I go to pick him up from school. Some of the teachers joke about my skooter skills, but fuck 'em. Got to keep the skills up, if you want to surf, skate, skooter, kitesurf, stand up paddle or whatever, skating and skooting round are good for the skills.

Left foot forwards, right foot forwards, push with the left, then right. Both beside each other. One handed. Go slow. Go fast. All good skills.

Unlike other aspects of life where adults infantilize, or want to remain hip well after graduation from university, I see this as plainly one of a number of many modes of transportation.

I don't see it as a way of carrying over youth into maturity but rather continuing the convenience of this very portable form of transportation.

The only distress I feel is from gas powered ones which drive by late at night. Those people have no decency. Be quiet, don't upset the quiet night.

Agreed, this isn't about "staying young," it's totally about practicality. It's almost certainly more energy efficient than walking but a folding scooter is more convenient to carry around than a bike.

I don't understand the shame here. I've been wanting to buy one of these for the efficiency but just haven't had the money or found one made for adults that isn't way above what I want to spend. I'd love this. Are you telling me there are people out there with so little to worry about that they judge people who are riding a scooter? lol

Also, I hated the razr lux a5. I literally bought it and took it back before leaving the parking lot. The foot space was so tiny that I couldn't even fit one full foot on it. At least, as far as I can remember.

skateboards take up even less space and don't necessitate as much swallowing of pride, although they come with a stereotype

skateboarding is easy!, the trick is to keep your center of gravity between the axles. that's it. i learned to ride at 32 when bored on a business trip.

>skateboarding is easy!

True, but it's hard to look cool on a skateboard. I've been skating for over 10 years now and it's really easy to tell when someone is a beginner (nothing wrong with that). The difference is that the experienced skater rides the board, while the beginner looks like they're chasing after it. Easy to learn, hard to master.

Having a handbrake is comforting to many people. Also I see what happens to long boarders shoes. Wouldn't want that to happen if I were in anything but my cheap sneakers.

What city are you in? I scoot in st all the time and have never ever had a negative look. Actually, chicks dig it. Once in a while I get a complement on a5 lux scooter.

It works great at the office too.

I'm in San Francisco

You can't fit it in a bag so I don't really see the point beyond the novelty. Folding bikes are faster and you can take them on a train/bus.

You can take them on the bus and get a regular seat.

Folding bikes weight more, take more space and they are less maneuverable. Kick scooters are better if your typical distance is less than 10km, especially if your city has sidewalks, but not bike lanes.

How long does a 10km commute take on a scooter?

50-60 minutes for me.

Ever considered something halfway, like an electric skateboard to save time? Don't you get sweaty after 10k?

I use it as exercise so I don't really want electric as my main transportation mode. I'd like to try one of that boards, but the price is too high.

When it's hot yes, I'm getting sweaty. You can ride slower, but it's less fun for me.

That makes sense, but be aware of the laws in your jurisdiction. For example, SF prohibits (but tends not to enforce) scooting on the sidewalk on main streets (http://sfappeal.com/2010/08/ask-the-appeal-is-it-illegal-to-...).

Not actual article, but should give you a sense of what is being talked about.

http://adultkickscooters.com/confessions-of-a-grown-up-kick-...

My wife snickers, but I love my ride: http://www.nycewheels.com/kickped-kick-scooter.html

11 lbs but rides smooth and silently and quickly.

Paywalled article though I believe article should be quite good.

Just Google for the title, WSJ has to comply with Google's first-click for paywalls:

https://www.google.es/search?q=Confessions+of+a+Grown-Up+Kic...

Doesn't work for me, it's still register-walled.

The Amish around here use these going up and down the roads all the time. Never thought it was weird - though I do wonder why they don't use bikes?

I see plenty of amish on bicycles in PA, if that is the Amish you're talking about.

I just see buggies and scooters around Lancaster. I'm only on the 'main' roads though. But, that answers my question though - they do ride bikes, I'm just not observant enough to notice.

As long as they aren't on the street (like pictures in the article's lead photo), nothing wrong with it. Once they're on the sidewalk, I have a problem, because sidewalks are for pedestrians and fast moving vehicles have no place there.