Scooter Safety
It is likely that this will not reach the audience for which it is intended, but that doesn’t mean it should not be written. I have lived in Gainesville for all but 4 years of my life. During that time I cannot count the number of times I have seen motorcycle, or more specifically, scooter riders laid out on the roadways around campus as a result of an accident and lack of scooter safety. This is largely due to two major changes in the last 15 years:
- A huge increase in the number of students who use scooters to commute
- Smartphones
Scooter safety has unfortunately gone by the wayside with the nature of traveling around Gainesville. Students often do not wear helmets as they commute to, and around campus. The most disturbing iteration of this phenomena is the student on a scooter, without a helmet looking at his or her phone riding down University Ave.
I have witnessed the devastation that ensues from the combination of distracted drivers and unhelmeted scooter riders. The number of students’ and parents’ lives that have been forever altered by traumatic brain injuries is unacceptable. The vast majority of scooter riders have little to no training on a device that travels at least twice as fast as they have ever ridden on a bike. In addition, they are not on sidewalks or bike lanes, they are on the roadway with thousands of other drivers, many of whom are also more interested in what their friends are doing on social media than being cognizant of the fact that they are operating lethal instrumentalities that weigh on average one and a half tons.
Steps to Scooter Safety
The message is simple: if you are going to ride a scooter, pay attention and wear a helmet.
Even a very minor accident can be fatal without a helmet. One case in particular stands out where I met a person who had a large portion of their skull frozen at the hospital waiting for the swelling to go down in their brain before having the frozen piece of skull placed back on their head. I was very thankful that I was able to meet this person but the visceral image of the direct consequences of falling off a scooter without a helmet are something I will never forget.
If you are traveling at night, please ensure that all motor vehicle lights work properly, including turn signals and brake lights. Also, wear light colored clothing to increase your visibility to other drivers on the road.
Where am I allowed to ride my scooter or moped?
Since a scooter is still considered to be a motor vehicle to legally ride once on roadways you must be at least 16 years old and hold a driver’s license. While it is not required to wear a helmet on a scooter, it is still highly recommended for safety and passengers under the age of 16 are required to wear one.
Florida law states that no vehicle may be ridden on the interstate or highway if it is under 5 brake horsepower. It is not legal to ride on the yellow lines, between the lanes, or to pass stopped traffic, despite being on a smaller vehicle. While riding, if you are driving under the speed of normal traffic due to the capabilities of the vehicle, you must stay as close to the right side of the road as possible without driving in bicycle or pedestrian lanes, or on sidewalks.
While scooters and motor vehicles are a convenient option for short commutes around Gainesville, it is imperative to take all precautions to remain safe on the road. If you are a parent, make it a rule for scooter safety, no helmet-no scooter. If you are student, I know a helmet may not look good but you should imagine what you would look like with a portion of your skull missing, and remember that is a best case, full recovery scenario.
Be safe, be smart, and wear a helmet.