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Confessions of a Grown-Up Kick-Scooter Rider
- mk3 11y agoPaywalled article though I believe article should be quite good.
- deleted 11y ago[deleted]
- RBerenguel 11y agoJust Google for the title, WSJ has to comply with Google's first-click for paywalls: https://www.google.es/search?q=Confessions+of+a+Grown-Up+Kick-Scooter+Rider&oq=Confessions+of+a+Grown-Up+Kick-Scooter+Rider&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i60l2.518j0j4&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=91&ie=UTF-8 https://www.google.es/search?q=Confessions+of+a+Grown-Up+Kic...
- Terr_ 11y agoDoesn't work for me, it's still register-walled.
- girfan 11y agoSomeone please post it here in the comments. We believe in an open internet!
- yitchelle 11y agoNot actual article, but should give you a sense of what is being talked about. http://adultkickscooters.com/confessions-of-a-grown-up-kick-scooter-rider-by-wsj-reporter-michael-hsu/ http://adultkickscooters.com/confessions-of-a-grown-up-kick-...
- fungi 11y agoShame? really, people feel shame for using a scooter? Scooters are pretty common is Sydney, nobody you care about would bat an eyelid. My friend riders hers around Singapore and nobody other then the occasionally overzealous security guard cares. Really is says more about the city/society you live in if you are looked down upon for something as simple as a scooter.
- fapjacks 11y agoWell, I think a big part of why it's considered "lame" (if that) here in the States is primarily because these scooters made a HUGE hit among children about ten or fifteen years ago. So they are considered mostly for children. That being said, there is certainly a prejudice against some kinds of transportation that is considered "low class" or juvenile, like skateboards, mopeds, or public transportation, which is extremely unfortunate, as for most of my life it's all I had, and it's the same for many Americans without the luxury of a fancy automobile.
- JoeAltmaier 11y agoMopeds are used by 20-somethings e.g. college students, not children. Or maybe I'm confused since I live in a college town. And who can't afford a bicycle? A scooter is pointless, not childish, because bicycles are a superior option.
- op00to 11y agoIn my inner-ring suburb of a major metropolitan US city, the 14-17 year old set roam the streets with impunity in gangs of mopeds. Once they can get a drivers' license, the mopeds get passed down to the next generation.
- kevin_thibedeau 11y ago> bicycles are a superior option. Except when you need to carry your vehicle on public transportation. Then it becomes a hassle. This was the original purpose of the foldable Razor scooter for use among Japanese commuters. I always thought they were a silly compromise for suburban children to use in light of the classic, larger wheeled scooters.
- Paul_S 11y agoYou can't fit it in a bag so I don't really see the point beyond the novelty. Folding bikes are faster and you can take them on a train/bus.
- relet 11y agoYou can take them on the bus and get a regular seat.
- monort 11y agoFolding bikes weight more, take more space and they are less maneuverable. Kick scooters are better if your typical distance is less than 10km, especially if your city has sidewalks, but not bike lanes.
- Paul_S 11y agoHow long does a 10km commute take on a scooter?
- monort 11y ago50-60 minutes for me.
- Paul_S 11y agoEver considered something halfway, like an electric skateboard to save time? Don't you get sweaty after 10k?
- monort 11y agoI use it as exercise so I don't really want electric as my main transportation mode. I'd like to try one of that boards, but the price is too high. When it's hot yes, I'm getting sweaty. You can ride slower, but it's less fun for me.
- deleted 11y ago[deleted]
- AnthonBerg 11y agoskateboards take up even less space and don't necessitate as much swallowing of pride, although they come with a stereotype skateboarding is easy!, the trick is to keep your center of gravity between the axles. that's it. i learned to ride at 32 when bored on a business trip.
- vdnkh 11y ago>skateboarding is easy! True, but it's hard to look cool on a skateboard. I've been skating for over 10 years now and it's really easy to tell when someone is a beginner (nothing wrong with that). The difference is that the experienced skater rides the board, while the beginner looks like they're chasing after it. Easy to learn, hard to master.
- Cantremeber 11y agoHaving a handbrake is comforting to many people. Also I see what happens to long boarders shoes. Wouldn't want that to happen if I were in anything but my cheap sneakers.
- toothbrush 11y agoHaha, what a cultural difference. Here in good old France people have no shame, i see people on these things (called ‘trottinettes’ here) quite regularly. Must say i thought it was rather lame when i first saw it, i am more partial to cycling, myself (faster, less dependent on pristine road surface, etc.).
- david-given 11y agoHere in Zürich it's one of the main means of getting about in the city. People have them everywhere. You can also get Mountain Trottys: http://www.druesberghuette.ch/Druesberghuette/Trotty.html http://www.druesberghuette.ch/Druesberghuette/Trotty.html I haven't tried one of those (I want to live).
- faster 11y agoSame in Lyon, France; I saw scooters over 100€ in the stores (because adults weigh more and want a smoother ride, I guess), and dozens of adults on scooters during commute hours. It was a big surprise to me because it's very rare to see adults on scooters in the US, except maybe that one uncle who drinks too much. Maybe my self-preservation instinct is weak, but I'd love to try one of those 'Mountain Trottys'.
- e40 11y agoAs long as they aren't on the street (like pictures in the article's lead photo), nothing wrong with it. Once they're on the sidewalk, I have a problem, because sidewalks are for pedestrians and fast moving vehicles have no place there.
- profinger 11y agoI don't understand the shame here. I've been wanting to buy one of these for the efficiency but just haven't had the money or found one made for adults that isn't way above what I want to spend. I'd love this. Are you telling me there are people out there with so little to worry about that they judge people who are riding a scooter? lol
- profinger 11y agoAlso, I hated the razr lux a5. I literally bought it and took it back before leaving the parking lot. The foot space was so tiny that I couldn't even fit one full foot on it. At least, as far as I can remember.
- quaffapint 11y agoThe Amish around here use these going up and down the roads all the time. Never thought it was weird - though I do wonder why they don't use bikes?
- reustle 11y agoI see plenty of amish on bicycles in PA, if that is the Amish you're talking about.
- quaffapint 11y agoI just see buggies and scooters around Lancaster. I'm only on the 'main' roads though. But, that answers my question though - they do ride bikes, I'm just not observant enough to notice.
- throw7 11y agodownvote. paywall. and the google indirection does not work.
- mc32 11y agoUnlike other aspects of life where adults infantilize, or want to remain hip well after graduation from university, I see this as plainly one of a number of many modes of transportation. I don't see it as a way of carrying over youth into maturity but rather continuing the convenience of this very portable form of transportation. The only distress I feel is from gas powered ones which drive by late at night. Those people have no decency. Be quiet, don't upset the quiet night.
- nkrisc 11y agoAgreed, this isn't about "staying young," it's totally about practicality. It's almost certainly more energy efficient than walking but a folding scooter is more convenient to carry around than a bike.
- pascal1usa 11y agoWhat city are you in? I scoot in st all the time and have never ever had a negative look. Actually, chicks dig it. Once in a while I get a complement on a5 lux scooter. It works great at the office too.
- pascal1usa 11y agoI'm in San Francisco
- pascal1usa 11y agoI'm in San Francisco
- subpixel 11y agoMy wife snickers, but I love my ride: http://www.nycewheels.com/kickped-kick-scooter.html http://www.nycewheels.com/kickped-kick-scooter.html 11 lbs but rides smooth and silently and quickly.