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This is the first I've heard of people tampering with the brake systems - it's incredibly malicious. I understand some people might be frustrated by the scooter

This is the first I've heard of people tampering with the brake systems - it's incredibly malicious. I understand some people might be frustrated by the scooters, but is manslaughter really the right way to go about it?

Shikadi 7y ago
Someone detached my brake cables on my bike locked right next to a hill that lead to the busiest road in the area. I noticed before I even got on the bike, but come on people.
- jacquesm 7y ago
  Wow! That's something I do not normally even check. Then again, I don't leave my bike out of sight but the fact that someone would even think of doing something like that is pretty close to an attempt at murder.
coldtea 7y ago
It worked in the French revolution!
docdeek 7y ago
Story here in Lyon, France, yesterday about a less-dangerous attack on the electric scooters: instead of cutting the brake cables, vandals are painting over the QR code instead. No QR code to scan means no useable scooter. Link in French: https://www.leprogres.fr/rhone-69/2019/06/10/a-lyon-les-trottinettes-electriques-immobilisees-en-un-coup-de-peinture https://www.leprogres.fr/rhone-69/2019/06/10/a-lyon-les-trot...
- md2be 7y ago
  I like it - is there a way to block the antenna ?
- mmcwilliams 7y ago
  To be fair, QR codes are a fairly fragile technology for something like that. If instead of destroying them, someone replaced the codes with a malicious link the outcome could be worse.
  - GaryNumanVevo 7y ago
    Great idea! I'll go print some QR stickers tonight
davedx 7y ago
Yeah, having ridden Birds around Paris at 25 km/h without ever considering this (I think they had lever brakes with cables too), this is terrifying. People are crazy.
- baud147258 7y ago
  I hope you weren't on the sidewalk at this speed
  - yardie 7y ago
    They have true dedicated bike lanes in Paris. Taken from the car lanes to reduce most streets to 2 lanes. The only things allowed on the sidewalks are people, pets, prams, and cafe tables and chairs.
    - derefr 7y ago
      How about those moped-shaped electric wheelchair buggies? (I’ve always wondered what the proper “lane” for those is; they go fast enough and have enough momentum that they’re dangerous on the sidewalk, but they’re unprotected enough that it’s dangerous for them to be in the bike lane, let alone a car lane.) ...or do those even exist outside of America (and maybe the ex-Commonwealth)?
      - Luc 7y ago
        They're considered equivalent to pedestrians and should use the sidewalk at walking speed, unless it's blocked. They shouldn't be on the bicycle path. According to French rules of the road, that is. https://ressources-ergo.com/legislation-et-fauteuil-roulant-ou-doivent-circuler-les-personnes-en-fauteuil-roulant-dans-lespace-public/ https://ressources-ergo.com/legislation-et-fauteuil-roulant-...
      - jdietrich 7y ago
        Here in the UK, we have two categories of mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs. If they're capable of no more than 4mph, they can be used on the pavement; if they're capable of more than 4mph but less than 8mph, they can be used on the road without a license but they do need to be registered. https://www.gov.uk/mobility-scooters-and-powered-wheelchairs-rules https://www.gov.uk/mobility-scooters-and-powered-wheelchairs...
md2be 7y ago
Pure BS, The first manslaughter will be due to the scooter that runs into a kid. Stay off the sidewalks.
- hombre_fatal 7y ago
  When you find yourself posting in every comment thread of a single submission to grind your axe, it's probably time to look for a new submission to participate in or take a break from HN.
teachrdan 7y ago
It is all but impossible to get injured due to this vandalism. If the brake cables are cut, you will be unable to even mount the scooter. It's the same UX as on a bicycle: The rider must (unconsciously) press the brake lever to keep the bike in place while getting on it. You'll know right away if the cable is cut--before you even start your ride.
- vk23 7y ago
  I don't think thats how most people mount a bicycle. You can easily get on it without touching the brakes. After all while you are still touching the ground you are breaking it.

Shikadi 7y ago

Someone detached my brake cables on my bike locked right next to a hill that lead to the busiest road in the area. I noticed before I even got on the bike, but come on people.

jacquesm 7y ago
Wow! That's something I do not normally even check. Then again, I don't leave my bike out of sight but the fact that someone would even think of doing something like that is pretty close to an attempt at murder.

coldtea 7y ago

It worked in the French revolution!

docdeek 7y ago

Story here in Lyon, France, yesterday about a less-dangerous attack on the electric scooters: instead of cutting the brake cables, vandals are painting over the QR code instead. No QR code to scan means no useable scooter. Link in French: https://www.leprogres.fr/rhone-69/2019/06/10/a-lyon-les-trottinettes-electriques-immobilisees-en-un-coup-de-peinture https://www.leprogres.fr/rhone-69/2019/06/10/a-lyon-les-trot...

md2be 7y ago
I like it - is there a way to block the antenna ?
mmcwilliams 7y ago
To be fair, QR codes are a fairly fragile technology for something like that. If instead of destroying them, someone replaced the codes with a malicious link the outcome could be worse.
- GaryNumanVevo 7y ago
  Great idea! I'll go print some QR stickers tonight

davedx 7y ago

Yeah, having ridden Birds around Paris at 25 km/h without ever considering this (I think they had lever brakes with cables too), this is terrifying. People are crazy.

baud147258 7y ago
I hope you weren't on the sidewalk at this speed
- yardie 7y ago
  They have true dedicated bike lanes in Paris. Taken from the car lanes to reduce most streets to 2 lanes. The only things allowed on the sidewalks are people, pets, prams, and cafe tables and chairs.
  - derefr 7y ago
    How about those moped-shaped electric wheelchair buggies? (I’ve always wondered what the proper “lane” for those is; they go fast enough and have enough momentum that they’re dangerous on the sidewalk, but they’re unprotected enough that it’s dangerous for them to be in the bike lane, let alone a car lane.) ...or do those even exist outside of America (and maybe the ex-Commonwealth)?
    - Luc 7y ago
      They're considered equivalent to pedestrians and should use the sidewalk at walking speed, unless it's blocked. They shouldn't be on the bicycle path. According to French rules of the road, that is. https://ressources-ergo.com/legislation-et-fauteuil-roulant-ou-doivent-circuler-les-personnes-en-fauteuil-roulant-dans-lespace-public/ https://ressources-ergo.com/legislation-et-fauteuil-roulant-...
    - jdietrich 7y ago
      Here in the UK, we have two categories of mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs. If they're capable of no more than 4mph, they can be used on the pavement; if they're capable of more than 4mph but less than 8mph, they can be used on the road without a license but they do need to be registered. https://www.gov.uk/mobility-scooters-and-powered-wheelchairs-rules https://www.gov.uk/mobility-scooters-and-powered-wheelchairs...

md2be 7y ago

Pure BS, The first manslaughter will be due to the scooter that runs into a kid. Stay off the sidewalks.

hombre_fatal 7y ago
When you find yourself posting in every comment thread of a single submission to grind your axe, it's probably time to look for a new submission to participate in or take a break from HN.

teachrdan 7y ago

It is all but impossible to get injured due to this vandalism. If the brake cables are cut, you will be unable to even mount the scooter. It's the same UX as on a bicycle: The rider must (unconsciously) press the brake lever to keep the bike in place while getting on it. You'll know right away if the cable is cut--before you even start your ride.

vk23 7y ago
I don't think thats how most people mount a bicycle. You can easily get on it without touching the brakes. After all while you are still touching the ground you are breaking it.