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Electric Scooters for fun

With my son's birthday soon and then Christmas on the way we are considering an electric scooter for him. He is 7 and still gets around very well. We thought it would be easier for him than pedaling his 2 wheeler bike. We think it may be a "fun" way for him to keep up with his sister and friends and still be "cool". We are not talking about the "mobility" scooter (yet) but something like an electric Razor brand with a seat that can be on or off. Has anyone purchased an electric scooter for their son and if so which would you recommend?
Thanks for your input.

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Permalink Reply by Angela Bourgeois on July 9, 2011 at 12:33pm

Just a little update... Jacob just turned 12 a few weeks ago. He is using the Razor 100 a lot more this summer. Skateboarding has died down (too hard) but I think it helped with balace for the scooter.

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Permalink Reply by Angela Bourgeois on May 20, 2012 at 6:06pm

Hi Andrea,

We are looking at a mobility scooter now. What type/model did you get and would you recommend it? Jacob wants to use his mostly for outdoor use and on a dirt road (between family cottages which are quite a distance apart).

Any advice you have would be appreciated.

Angela

Andrea Cleary said:

Hello Angela,

The scooter goes pretty fast when set to "jack rabbit", you would have to jog to keep up. We have to force him to put it down to "tortoise" in a crowd so there's less chance of him running into someone. It also has this annoying little horn that he loves to beep! Now that he has his own (not a borrowed one from MDC) we were starting to think about getting flames painted on it, or something to liven it up and "youngify" it.

Take care.

Andrea

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Permalink Reply by Andrea Cleary on May 20, 2012 at 9:25pm

Hi Angela,

Simon has a Revo brand with pediatric seat. It goes really well on pavement, grass, etc, but does tend to shake pretty bad on a rough gravel road. Because the wheels are small, it can get stuck on a gravel path if there are bigger rocks, say larger than your fist, so it helps if someone else is around to give a little push when needed.

Once Simon flipped it sideways when he let one wheel fall off the sidewalk and scraped up his arm pretty good and kind of ran over his own foot. His brother was piggy backing (standing on the base, behind the seat). The seat back is not stationary, and flips forward onto the driver if it is pushed or the brakes are slammed on. Well Simon slammed on the brakes and brother\s weight went forward, squishing Simon who got confused and pushed the accelerator. Moral of the story: no giving rides to friends and family on the back.

Simon's is a 4 wheel scooter, which is very stable, but heavy, and has 2 big batteries. We can disassemble it all or just fold down the steering column for easier transportation in a regular vehicle. I have seen other lighter, smaller scooters (I think one is called to GoGo, but not sure of other names), and some have only 3 wheels, which is less stable.

On longer rides he finds his thumb getting sore from having to press on the accelerator lever, but I'm not sure how they could improve upon that. Just make sure the steering column is as close to the seat as possible to that his arms don't get too tired from having to be held up in the air for so long.

There is a bit of a learning period with the driving, but short instructive lessons (sort of like driver's ed for a car) help (wear sturdy shoes as you may get a toe or two squished). Teach them to stop at stop signs and be careful at intersections, and to give clear signs to other drivers, bikes, etc. and to be aware of people on foot too.

Ours was ordered by the OT and covered by the Quebec gov't through the rehab facility where his OT and PT are. They should be helping you out with this issue.

Like I said in the other discussion, there are also funds through Tim Hortons, Loblaws, Lion's Clubs, etc. Your OT should be able to give you a list or look into it for you.

:-)

Andrea

Angela Bourgeois said:

Hi Andrea,

We are looking at a mobility scooter now. What type/model did you get and would you recommend it? Jacob wants to use his mostly for outdoor use and on a dirt road (between family cottages which are quite a distance apart).

Any advice you have would be appreciated.

Angela

Andrea Cleary said:

Hello Angela,

The scooter goes pretty fast when set to "jack rabbit", you would have to jog to keep up. We have to force him to put it down to "tortoise" in a crowd so there's less chance of him running into someone. It also has this annoying little horn that he loves to beep! Now that he has his own (not a borrowed one from MDC) we were starting to think about getting flames painted on it, or something to liven it up and "youngify" it.

Take care.

Andrea