Cities demand licensing for motorized chair users

[Tony_FLADEM]

People who use motorized wheelchairs and similar small scooters may need a licence to drive if B.C. municipalities succeed in a push to regulate "personal mobility vehicles."

The Union of B.C. Municipalities is endorsing a call by Sidney council for regulation, training and testing of such people - whether they're using powered chairs for health reasons or age - after fielding complaints of people driving too fast on the sidewalk or not knowing the rules of the road.

Without regulation, the resolution states, "the safety of all motorists, businesses and pedestrians is at risk."

"Part of the problem is we're a senior community over here in Sidney," said Mayor Larry Cross. "We're seeing people who have no idea what they're doing when they're driving these machines. ... My wife dodged one the other day that nearly knocked her over."

Motorized wheelchairs and small "mobility" scooters do not require registration, insurance or a licence in B.C. Classic scooters, which are more similar to motorcycles, do require a driver's licence and insurance.

Vancouver resident Tom McGregor, who has needed a motorized chair to get around for 18 years, said it would be "blatantly unfair" to regulate them.

http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Cities+demand+licensing+motorized+chair+users/8824328/story.html

[MotherPetrie]

1. Why restrict it to motorized vehicles? How about bicycles? They use public roads and sidewalks, too.

[Downwinder]

2. And skateboards and roller skates.

[MotherPetrie]

3. I've never seen a skateboarder or roller skater breaking traffic laws on the road. I have seen many

a bicyclist do it and have even been knocked over by a bicyclist illegally using the sidewalk, requiring a trip to the ER and plenty of stitches for me.

[happyslug]

4. I have, they rolled the skateboard down hill along a streetcar Right of way.

Last edited Sun Sep 8, 2013, 11:57 PM - Edit history (2)

Cars, Streetcars, parked cars on both sides of the road, right through a business district and rolling downhill for about a 1/4 mile. Just plain unsafe.

On sidewalks I have been skateboards break up people walking on the sidewalks. Sorry sidewalks are for pedestrians ONLY, it is unsafe for anything else, including bicycles.

After I wrote the above, I saw another teenager do it again on Saturday. In fact I have seen more skateboarders to unsafe acts on public streets then I have ever saw bicyclist do. Maybe because I do visit into a urban area every weekend. I do not see such acts in rural areas or suburban areas, but I have seen it done extensively in inner cities and older (75 years plus) suburbs.

[happyslug]

5. Horses also use those roads.

Last edited Fri Sep 6, 2013, 10:24 PM - Edit history (1)

In my home state of Pennsylvania if it has an engine attached, electric or gasoline it must have a license AND the operator MUST have a driver's license.

Now powered wheelchairs and scooter designed for handicap people need not be licensed or the operatpor have a driver's licesne, but the wheelchair or scooter must be prescribed by a medical provider.