Motorised scooters

Strollers along the seafront in Sliema have doubtless observed a new phenomenon, that of youngsters riding motorised scooters at speed on crowded promenades. A newspaper also recently carried a picture of a youngster careening on the bend of a pavement in Bugibba.

Until now we have had bicycles, skateboarders and roller skaters; these are in no way to be compared to motorised scooters. Indeed, it would be a shame if these scooters would bring our young cyclists, roller skaters etc into disrepute when an accident with a motorised scooter happens.

Even if it is not an ideal situation to have cyclists and skateboarders mingling with pedestrians, it is reasonable to close an eye since cycling, roller skating and skateboarding are positive, healthy activities. In the absence of cycle paths and skating rinks etc., one cannot deny our young generation the health benefits and opportunity to develop motor skills which these have to offer. They are wholesome sports in which the youngsters are using their muscles and coordination skills. Also, these activities do not involve sufficiently high speeds as to pose a serious threat to pedestrians.

On the other hand, motorised scooters, though small, are heavy and they can move at sufficiently high speeds to pose a lethal threat in a collision with a child or toddler. The ease with which high speed is attained on these scooters is irresistible to youngsters and they tend to drive the scooters flat out along the pavement at top speed, shooing pedestrians out of their way with their horns. Sooner or later there is going to be a serious accident.

Apart from the dangers to others posed by motorised scooters, parents must realise they are inherently detrimental to the well-being of these youths. Is it beyond a father's or mother's imagination to realise that these youngsters are being conditioned to being moved by a machine too early and risk becoming addicted to effortless speed and power vehicles from a young age?

Through getting used to being moved passively and not expending any energy, these children are the potential future overweight adolescents and obese middle-aged individuals since they are already on the way to becoming addicted to being moved by an engine rather than by their own muscles. This is bad and it is very irresponsible of parents to buy such motorised scooters for their children or even allow them to use them.

It is not the intention of this letter to deny in any way the enormous potential of motorised scooters as a valid and wonderfully environmentally-friendly means of transport for medium-range commuting to work or for shopping errands. They are fantastically economical and their use is to be encouraged - but in the right setting. It is only in the wrong hands that they can become a menace - parents must realise that they are not toys.

And that is not all. They are positively detrimental to youngsters who should be encouraged to use healthier and safer ways of moving - like by using their own muscles on a pedal bicycle.