It’s time to go fishing ...

Roy, from Dawesville in Western Australia traded in his old mobility scooter up to a new Royale three wheeler. He fitted some rear racks to hold his rods while riding from his home to his favourite fishing spot after retiring from the country to live closer to the water.

"It's a bit hilly around here so this scooter gets me out of trouble without having to use a car. It gets me to and from the water here without any problems."says Roy.

Electric scooters can make a real contribution to reducing greenhouse gases if they are charged with Green Power electricity or solar power. And for local trips they are usually faster than a car when you have to take into account finding a parking spot and then walking to your destination.

As an alternative to the car they are economical to run, there's no registration cost, and they're a are quiet and efficient form of transport.

Roy on his 3 wheeler

Bay George!

George Bell from Batemans Bay had already purchased a new mobility scooter from Scooters Australia, Batemans Bay, but he wanted a scooter that would be able to take him longer distances and be able to handle the steep hills around Batemans Bay.

The Monarch Royale was the obvious choice.  So he traded up to a new 4 wheeler: top-of-the-range.

You can see George nearly everyday getting around the bay and along the foreshore waving and smiling at everyone.

Here's George on his 4 wheeler.

English Village

One of our staff recently visited the UK and talked to Roy here about his electric mobility scooter. He lives a couple of kilometres from the village and uses his scooter to travel there every day - along the road!

He loves his scooter and the fact that he can get into town to town whenever he wants to do his shopping.

Editorial

Are Electric Scooters Safe?

It's a question often asked. In fact, according to ABS and other figures, electric scooters are one of the safest ways to get around. It's actually more dangerous travelling in a car or even walking as a pedestrian than it is to use a scooter.

It's probably because scooters are low to the ground, don't travel all that fast, and have fail safe braking technology. Almost all scooters can stop from full speed within their own length, or just a little more. The more sophisticated scooters even have an automatic slowing regulator when cornering.

Some steps can be made to make them even safer (see left box), and Scooters Australia has been urging the Federal Government to play its part in implementing some of these strategies.

Not only are they safe to ride, electric scooters are economical, pollution free, and when charged using Green Power, produce no greenhouse gases. So choosing to use a scooter instead of a car is just one small step that can help mitigate against global warming. And with "Peak Oil" just around the corner, higher fuel prices make using electic vehicles a lot more sense.

What do you think? Email us and we'll publish your letter below.

Interesting articles:

Wall St and the GFC

Population growth

Population growth and GDP

Buying cheap junk

Scientists & Climate Change

UK EasyJet under fire on Scooters

"The airline EasyJet has come under fire for preventing thousands of disabled people from flying on its planes by refusing to allow most powered scooters onboard.

The airline refuses to carry in one piece wheelchairs [and scooters] that weigh more than 60kg without their batteries. Trailblazer, a campaign group for people with muscular dystrophy, claims this restriction excludes most powered wheelchairs, which weigh an average of 100kg with their batteries detached.

EasyJet blames the weight restriction on health and safety rules, which limit the amount each baggage handler is allowed to lift. "       The Guardian (UK), August 23rd, 2010

Ed: The Luggie is the answer to this issue as it only weighs 23kg and can be folded easily to fit inside the cabin if necessary. It's also narrow enough to fit down the aisles. Click here for more info.

Letters to the Editor

This is a new page on our site and we welcome any letters that you might want to contribute. Email here or post to PO Box 458 LANE COVE NSW 2066. Please keep letters to under 200 words. We also welcome pictures with a short explanation. Any topic will do.

Luggie a winner in Tasmania!

"Hi Bryan,

Just thought I would give you a little feedback on the 'Luggie'  (now nicknamed Elvis) I purchased in October.

I gave it a thorough test on a recent trip to Tasmania for a  couple of weeks. It has been totally brilliant and to date has  far exceeded any expectations I had when I bought it from  Bellevue Medical in Albury. I have gone up hill, down hill, on  different types of gravel paths in parks and gardens, on ferries,  through shopping centres, into tight spots in cafes (weaving in  between tables and chairs), in and out of shops and store lifts  etc. and it has been marvellous. It is extremely easy to use and  does not draw heavily on battery power at all - after a full days  use, there is the equivalent power left on the battery to do it  all over again. Recharging the battery is surprisingly quick,  never taking more than an hour to an hour and a half at most when  I am home. Transporting it and loading/unloading it from the car  boot is simple and no more hassle than putting a bag in the back  of the car. Folding and unfolding it is a breeze and took my  husband about the same time it took me to get out of the car at  any destination - a minute or two at most. By the time I got to  the back of the car, my buggy was waiting.

When using it I feel like I am just the same as any other  pedestrian who is out and about and have found that it causes no  inconvenience to others when moving in crowded spaces.

I would recommend this scooter to anyone thinking of purchasing  one. Its versatility, portability and stability is excellent."

Ellen Lewis, Victoria

Short and Sweet:

"Once again thank you for your personal service, mum's now terrorising the streets. You can't keep her home now and I will be recommending you to anyone that is looking for a scooter."

Mark,  Boulder, W.A.

encl.: Picture of mum on Monarch Royale 4

Good Service....

West Ryde 2114


Dear Lorraine and the other 2 blokes that I er sort of forgot their names!,

Very very pleased because I got those 4 treads/tyres on the Celebrity X
Mobility Scooter!! Yay!

They are very nice.

Had to be careful not to stuff anything up!

Thus thank you for your friendly service and advice particularly on the rear
tyres (re key staying in the slot for the rears).

Keep up the great work and look after yourselves. I`m stoked!

-Daren