The Fat Unicyclist 4,333 Posted February 9 Meanwhile in (not just) New Zealand... Lime wheels locking up could mark the beginning of the end for e-scooters "I was heading downhill, sailing over smooth white concrete at about 30kmh, when the front wheel locked up, sending me flying over the handle bars." https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/110317293/lime-wheels-locking-up-could-mark-the-beginning-of-the-end-for-escooters 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smoother 4,220 Posted February 9 (edited) On 2/9/2019 at 6:18 AM, The Fat Unicyclist said: Meanwhile in (not just) New Zealand... Lime wheels locking up could mark the beginning of the end for e-scooters "I was heading downhill, sailing over smooth white concrete at about 30kmh, when the front wheel locked up, sending me flying over the handle bars." https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/110317293/lime-wheels-locking-up-could-mark-the-beginning-of-the-end-for-escooters Well that was interesting but left more questions than answers; edit, answers in linked article from Switzerland Reading some of the links from that article I found some very depressing reports, like this one: http://www.thedrive.com/tech/23254/people-are-vandalizing-e-scooters-in-bird-dropping-fad report on vandalism of escooters, for sport and instagram fame. And this one: http://www.thedrive.com/tech/26036/investors-cool-as-birds-shared-scooters-hit-speedbumps reporting that Bird scooters currently last only an average of 30 days due to theft and vandalism, but they take EDIT 90 days to pay off. And another one reporting on a hacking kit to unlock a Bird scooter for unlimited personal use (I didn't link that one because I don't aid and abet theft.) Most disturbing is that several cities are tightening erideable laws as knee jerk reaction to irresponsible riding and parking. This will have an effect on us, the EUC riders. Where we used to pass mostly un-noticed, we will now be caught up in these new regulations, which will be fresh on every police officers mind, and the rabid end of the general public; eager to point fingers and enforce the law. I must say I didn't get it when dockless rental rideables (bikes and escooters) started hitting the market. Am I the only one who understands that there is a fringe of the human population that has no respect for any one or anything, and that dropping off unsecured, unsupervised devices around our cities is simply an invitation for these sub human pieces of shit (SHPOS) To go to town? It only takes a few to ruin things for everyone. An example, after a long spate of break ins and expensive car thefts (took the keys from inside the house) in one area of London, a gang of 4 or 5 SPHOS's was finally caught. Burglaries and car theft in that borough went down by something like 65%. These 4 or 5 ass holes were responsible for the majority of this type of crime in this area. Lay a rent escooter on the ground and it wont be long before the SPHOS's of the world will crawl out of the shadows and find some way of causing the owner to suffer a financial loss, purely for their own amusement, or their own financial gain. I have a feeling escooter rental's days are numbered, unless they implement docking stations like the original rent-a-bike schemes. As copy cat vandals, thieves, hoarders, impounders and hackers multiply, the costs will rapidly outstrip the rewards to the companies and specifically their investors. Bird is already facing scrutiny from its investors due to wildly underestimating and reporting damage, vandalism and theft. Edited February 18 by Smoother 2 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rehab1 12,954 Posted February 9 8 hours ago, The Fat Unicyclist said: Meanwhile in (not just) New Zealand... Lime wheels locking up could mark the beginning of the end for e-scooters "I was heading downhill, sailing over smooth white concrete at about 30kmh, when the front wheel locked up, sending me flying over the handle bars." https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/110317293/lime-wheels-locking-up-could-mark-the-beginning-of-the-end-for-escooters From what I’ve read it was a firmware issue resulting from a recent update designed to prevent theft. Lime is a behemoth in the EScooter industry and have the funds to easily squelch any negative publicity that would affect their long term business paradigm. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RockyTop 1,388 Posted February 9 Reading about and watching people on scooters reinforces my EUC decision. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LanghamP 2,608 Posted February 9 1 hour ago, Rehab1 said: From what I’ve read it was a firmware issue resulting from a recent update designed to prevent theft. Goddamnit I was reading your post and of course it's a firmware issue. Electric scooters don't just stop like that unless someone told them to. There's YouTube videos showing how easily controller boards can be replaced. I suspect theft is a huge problem with all the scooter companies. Maybe 1 out of 5? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Biped Phil 48 Posted February 11 On 2/9/2019 at 9:24 AM, Rehab1 said: From what I’ve read it was a firmware issue resulting from a recent update designed to prevent theft. I hope Lime won't go into the airplane business 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mmhmmm 31 Posted February 11 A couple of months ago, I was in Long Beach, CA. While waiting to cross the main drag (8 lanes including parking), a very big and VERY heavy young dude on a rental scooter shot past me crossing against the sign and then re-crossing again at full speed while randomly avoiding people and cars. Just as the crosswalk sign signalled for me to walk, he was passing me again and I realized that his rear tire was completely flat and he was riding on the rim. I said, "WHAT are you doing!!" "F~@k it!!!", he yells, and disapears off into the distance. Hilarious and sad... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
travsformation 542 Posted February 18 Here go a couple of positive EUC-related stories from Spain: A charity event for multiple sclerosis was recently held in Barcelona's motorsport race track. Race categories included running, rollerskates/rollerblades, bicycles and, for the first time, PEVs. A couple of local race-car and motorbike celebrities joined the event riding e-scooters. Attendance was massive, and PEVs, for a change, were able to garner some good publicity (a fantastic initiative that would be great, in my opinion, to replicate in other parts of the world) An EUC-rider recently made the news for chasing and catching a thief who'd stolen an old lady's phone. The thief, who was on foot, took narrow alleys, changed direction constantly, crossed parks, etc., used to alluding police cars that way, but didn't count on the versatility of an EUC pursuer. He's been deemed a citizen hero and cast a very positive light on EUCs, which, accustomed to the usual PEV-demonising news, is a breath of fresh air 6 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Demargon 987 Posted February 22 (edited) I recently appeared on a TV show called "Car War" (la guerra del coche) about mobility. The channel was national, but put the program too late on the grid. I think I was trying to put perspective on the revolution of mobility and climate change.https://www.antena3.com/noticias/especiales/reportajes-a3n/vehiculos-movilidad-personal-luchan-asfalto-trafico-carril-bici-video_201902195c6dcda70cf28d1a9812e311.html Edited February 22 by Demargon 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Fat Unicyclist 4,333 Posted February 22 On 2/9/2019 at 7:18 PM, The Fat Unicyclist said: Meanwhile in (not just) New Zealand... Lime wheels locking up could mark the beginning of the end for e-scooters "I was heading downhill, sailing over smooth white concrete at about 30kmh, when the front wheel locked up, sending me flying over the handle bars." https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/110317293/lime-wheels-locking-up-could-mark-the-beginning-of-the-end-for-escooters Just an update on this Lime issue... Auckland Transport boss says Lime must prove e-scooters are safe by Friday And then this... Lime e-scooters off Auckland and Dunedin streets over wheel-locking issue In fact this news site now a whole section dedicated to Lime in New Zealand. I wonder if Roll.nz will have a burst of scooter sales next week... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LanghamP 2,608 Posted February 23 It's apparent that eScooters are eating bicycles, as both Offo and limebike both pulled out of St Louis. Or, rather, their bikes were stolen or vandalized. Bicycles don't last long in St Louis, as 100% of my fellow members in the local bike club have all had their bikes stolen at one time or another. Let me reiterate 100%. I'm my case I got two bicycles and one motorcycle stolen. All locked up...granted I had insurance but still... https://www.riverfronttimes.com/newsblog/2019/02/04/bike-sharing-is-dead-in-st-louis-for-now?media=AMP+HTML 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Czestnut 89 Posted March 1 ... I'm coming to Austin TX next month for a show at the convention center, and I was wondering if I need a car rental, or if e-scooters are readily available so I won't need one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jason McNeil 5,959 Posted March 1 The white side-panels date the MSuper to early 2017 vintage. https://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/201379-meter-reader-zooming-between-jobs.html Meter reader zooming between jobs Wells meter reader Craig Poole travels around using an electric unicycle. A Tauranga man is paving the way for a new form of meter reading transport. Wells meter reader Craig Poole travels between jobs on an electric unicycle, compared to the standard meter reader on foot. Craig says he is the only meter reader who uses an electric unicycle as it was his own personal choice to ride it. He describes it as “economical” and “time saving”. “I get sore legs, so I purchased it myself. It cost $2500.” Despite the dangers of unicycling along public paths and roads, Craig is well equipped with knee pads, bike gloves and elbow pads. 2 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jerome 516 Posted March 1 Lime and Bird have both approached Philadelphia and probably would have been given permits .. BUT .. PA law Specifically bans e-scooters on all public roads and sidewalks. Philly's officials have stated they will not approach Harrisburg (Capital) to lobby for a change in the law. They said it was in the scooter rental companies' court now. I will be interesting to see if they will lobby for a change in law or move on. Segway was successful and that new class of vehicle probably legitimizes EUCs, even though it states "two" wheels. Philly is very bike friendly and there are lots of bike lanes and bike paths that would make e-scooter rental attractive. There are plenty of bike rentals, at least for nine months out of the year. There is almost no PEV activity, however, among all the bikes. Over the last year I have seen 5 x eSK8 boards, 2 x ONWHEELS, 2 x e-bikes, and 3 x EUCs during my commuting and recreational riding. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Girth Brooks 303 Posted March 1 I can tell you from a visit to a long-tme local diner yesterday on lunch that many here in Nashville are not fans of the e-scooter craze at all to say the least. To quote the the very colorful commentary of the old lady who owns the Hermitage Cafe: "I just want to close-line one of them motherfuckers right off those scooters! They zoom up & down here all day long without a care for the safety of folks on the sidewalks or themselves." The two retired Metro Police officers who are regulars there along with several others seemed to strongly agree with her. I feel like regulation will be coming soon. Business owners in Downtown Nashville hold sway here for sure, It's common knowledge. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marty Backe 21,275 Posted March 1 2 hours ago, Jason McNeil said: The white side-panels date the MSuper to early 2017 vintage. https://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/201379-meter-reader-zooming-between-jobs.html Meter reader zooming between jobs Wells meter reader Craig Poole travels around using an electric unicycle. A Tauranga man is paving the way for a new form of meter reading transport. Wells meter reader Craig Poole travels between jobs on an electric unicycle, compared to the standard meter reader on foot. Craig says he is the only meter reader who uses an electric unicycle as it was his own personal choice to ride it. He describes it as “economical” and “time saving”. “I get sore legs, so I purchased it myself. It cost $2500.” Despite the dangers of unicycling along public paths and roads, Craig is well equipped with knee pads, bike gloves and elbow pads. Interesting. I had a whitewalled ACM from that period too. Early 2017. This guy paid premo-bucks though - I think he got robbed by whoever sold it to him. I like your word "vintage" for describing a wheel that's barely 2-years old All of these type of jobs seem perfect for an EUC. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smoother 4,220 Posted March 2 (edited) People. Take pride in your appearance when riding. Don't smush your trousers up with your knee pads if you don't want to look like a dweeb. Remember, 90% of people you pass are staring at the strange machine between your ankles, and therefore your ankles too. Edited March 4 by Smoother 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mmhmmm 31 Posted March 3 12 hours ago, Smoother said: Take pride in your appearance when riding. Don't smush your trousers up with your knee pads if you don't want to look like a dweeb. Remember, 90% of people you pass are staring at the strange machine between your ankles. Yes! If you wear kneepads over pants, you should have dedicated pairs that are approximately two inches longer in the inseam than you would normally wear, for reasons both form and function... All hear this! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
travsformation 542 Posted March 3 5 hours ago, Mmhmmm said: Yes! If you wear kneepads over pants, you should have dedicated pairs that are approximately two inches longer in the inseam than you would normally wear, for reasons both form and function... All hear this! Or at least make sure you have matching socks, which is generally not my case 😂 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smoother 4,220 Posted March 3 7 hours ago, Mmhmmm said: Yes! If you wear kneepads over pants, you should have dedicated pairs that are approximately two inches longer in the inseam than you would normally wear, for reasons both form and function... All hear this! Actually I have a confession: The other day I was wearing a regular pair of pants and when I put my knee pads on the pants rode up so high I looked like a meter reader. Hiking my pants down didn't help much and gave me an unattractive saggy bottom look (more so than usual). So of course you know what I did, that's right, I left the knee pads in the car 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Fat Unicyclist 4,333 Posted March 4 13 hours ago, Smoother said: gave me an unattractive saggy bottom look (more so than usual). That's the problem with Depends! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smoother 4,220 Posted March 4 14 hours ago, The Fat Unicyclist said: That's the problem with Depends! Actually a pair (?) of depends might just be the ticket; filling out my jeans nicely, and that's before I get to put them to their intended use. Even a bit of bum/hip protection in the process. You may be onto something there. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Biped Phil 48 Posted March 8 On 3/1/2019 at 3:09 PM, Marty Backe said: Interesting. I had a whitewalled ACM from that period too. Early 2017. This guy paid premo-bucks though -... Don't forget the knee pads, elbow pads, valve-stem adapter, insoles, high-viz accessories, green slime, etc. The protective gear adds up. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
winterwheel 600 Posted March 8 https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/08/the-cdc-is-investigating-rise-in-e-scooter-injuries.html The data reveals that 98 percent of patients were not wearing a helmet. Forty-eight percent had a blood alcohol level above the legal limit for intoxication and 52 percent tested for an illicit substance. Doing the math...most people crashing scooters are either drunk, high, or both. It may be time for MADD to form a subgroup: Mothers Against High Scootering. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RockyTop 1,388 Posted March 8 (edited) MASH would be better Mothers against scootering high. Edited March 8 by RockyTop 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
