motor scooters in MN streets

[Valkerie]

motor scooters in MN streets

seriously, it's legalized...

you need a helmet, that's pretty much it and I think you have to be 11 at least - (*and maybe some health insuranace... from when you get hit by a -?)

 

[Auryg]

I don't see the big deal about it..I'm guessing you watched KMSP's big sensationalized reporting on it. They could make a big deal about anything.


*cue big announcer voice*

"School-it's where you trust to keep your childen. But there are things you don't know about the chairs there! Learn how to keep your kids safe, at 10."

 

[pclstyle]

taiwan. 'nuff said.

i'm glad they're breaking into the states. I rented one the other weekend in Martha's vineyard, had a blast. Don't think it would work too well in the suburbs as a commuter, but in the cities, or for recreation, they're great.

50ccs will get you about 30mph, larger ones can pretty much hit the highway speed limit.

 

[BoberFett]

Originally posted by: Auryg
I don't see the big deal about it..I'm guessing you watched KMSP's big sensationalized reporting on it. They could make a big deal about anything.


*cue big announcer voice*

"School-it's where you trust to keep your childen. But there are things you don't know about the chairs there! Learn how to keep your kids safe, at 10."

Are you kidding? This is an incredibly stupid decision. Lots of people may suck at driving, but they've at least gone through drivers ed, have a license and are required to have insurance. Now we have untrained, immature kids sharing the roads with cars. Whose brilliant idea was that? Why not just lower the driving age to 12?

 

[DaFanMan]

Hmm any linkage to the requirments on what can be driven? I hope that means I can ride those little pocket rocket's on the streets now - not on the highway but I want one just to cruize around the neighborhood on.

Edit: Okay found this link: http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hrd/issinfo/ssmotsctr.htm

Am I understanding this correctly:

What is a ?motorized foot scooter??
The new law defines ?motorized foot scooters? as vehicles that:
4 have handlebars;
(Okay yep got those)

4 can be either stood on or sat on by the operator (saddle optional);
(Yep can be sat on)

4 are powered by an electric motor or internal combustion engine that is capable of powering the device with or without human propulsion; and
(Check)

4 have either (1) wheels no more than 10 inches in diameter, or (2) an engine that is capable of a maximum speed of not more than 15 miles per hour on a flat surface.
(sounds like if the wheels are less than or equal to 10" It can go over 15mph)

Many ?pocket bikes? and ?mini-choppers? that have wheels over 10 inches and a speed capability over 15 mph. These too are treated as motorcycles.

So it sounds like I could get a pocket rocket w/ wheels <= 10" and then Im not limited in the max speed. Let me know if I'm reading this wrong.

-Matt

 

[Auryg]

Originally posted by: BoberFett

Originally posted by: Auryg
I don't see the big deal about it..I'm guessing you watched KMSP's big sensationalized reporting on it. They could make a big deal about anything.


*cue big announcer voice*

"School-it's where you trust to keep your childen. But there are things you don't know about the chairs there! Learn how to keep your kids safe, at 10."

Are you kidding? This is an incredibly stupid decision. Lots of people may suck at driving, but they've at least gone through drivers ed, have a license and are required to have insurance. Now we have untrained, immature kids sharing the roads with cars. Whose brilliant idea was that? Why not just lower the driving age to 12?

How is this any different from riding a bike around, other than the fact it'll actually go with traffic better?

 

[BoberFett]

Originally posted by: Auryg

Originally posted by: BoberFett

Originally posted by: Auryg
I don't see the big deal about it..I'm guessing you watched KMSP's big sensationalized reporting on it. They could make a big deal about anything.


*cue big announcer voice*

"School-it's where you trust to keep your childen. But there are things you don't know about the chairs there! Learn how to keep your kids safe, at 10."

Are you kidding? This is an incredibly stupid decision. Lots of people may suck at driving, but they've at least gone through drivers ed, have a license and are required to have insurance. Now we have untrained, immature kids sharing the roads with cars. Whose brilliant idea was that? Why not just lower the driving age to 12?

How is this any different from riding a bike around, other than the fact it'll actually go with traffic better?

So you think it's a good idea for 12 year olds to ride their bicycles on MN highways?

And please, explain how they'll go better with traffic.

 

[Auryg]

Originally posted by: BoberFett

Originally posted by: Auryg

Originally posted by: BoberFett

Originally posted by: Auryg
I don't see the big deal about it..I'm guessing you watched KMSP's big sensationalized reporting on it. They could make a big deal about anything.


*cue big announcer voice*

"School-it's where you trust to keep your childen. But there are things you don't know about the chairs there! Learn how to keep your kids safe, at 10."

Are you kidding? This is an incredibly stupid decision. Lots of people may suck at driving, but they've at least gone through drivers ed, have a license and are required to have insurance. Now we have untrained, immature kids sharing the roads with cars. Whose brilliant idea was that? Why not just lower the driving age to 12?

How is this any different from riding a bike around, other than the fact it'll actually go with traffic better?

So you think it's a good idea for 12 year olds to ride their bicycles on MN highways?

And please, explain how they'll go better with traffic.

6 MPH as opposed to 30+..I think the 30+ will go with the flow a lot better.

And I don't care if it's on our highways..it's still up to the parents whether or not they allow their kids. I just hope the parents have good judgement.

I know I would have loved to be able to get around 5 years ago, and so would have my sister when she worked in town, which is about 6 miles away. My mom had to drive here there every day, which isn't exactly easy to do when my mom has a full time job.

 

[BoberFett]

Originally posted by: Auryg
6 MPH as opposed to 30+..I think the 30+ will go with the flow a lot better.

6mph? What goes 6 mph? You can walk 6 mph, bikes can very easily go 15 mph. And did you read the legislation? 10 inch wheels or no more than 15mph. I'm not sure where you're getting the 30 mph.

And I don't care if it's on our highways..it's still up to the parents whether or not they allow their kids. I just hope the parents have good judgement.

Yeah, because we all know what good judgement so many parents have... :roll:

I'm just gonna sit back and wait for the repercussions and injury lawsuits to begin.

 

[Auryg]

Originally posted by: BoberFett

Originally posted by: Auryg
6 MPH as opposed to 30+..I think the 30+ will go with the flow a lot better.

6mph? What goes 6 mph? You can walk 6 mph, bikes can very easily go 15 mph. And did you read the legislation? 10 inch wheels or no more than 15mph. I'm not sure where you're getting the 30 mph.

And I don't care if it's on our highways..it's still up to the parents whether or not they allow their kids. I just hope the parents have good judgement.

Yeah, because we all know what good judgement so many parents have... :roll:

I'm just gonna sit back and wait for the repercussions and injury lawsuits to begin.

Sorry, didn't know it was no more than 15 mph, that's pretty silly.

I don't know where everyone gets the idea that all 12 year olds don't have the mental capacity to drive on roads though..I'm sure most people here at anandtech were smart enough at that age.

And yes, parents have crappy judgement. So then I think it's their fault if their kids get hurt. Also, if it's no more than 15 mph, this is no different than a lazy kid's bike on the road.

 

[Paulson]

It's stupid but KMSP overdramatizes everything!

I watch Kare11 or wcco for news...

 

[BoberFett]

Originally posted by: Paulson
It's stupid but KMSP overdramatizes everything!

I watch Kare11 or wcco for news...

I avoid TV news altogether. The newspaper tends to be a less sensationalized medium. The StarTribune seems to have a bit of an agenda at times, but it's not too bad.

 

[Paulson]

Kare11 isn't actually too bad... kstp and kmsp bother me for some reason.

 

[Valkerie]

who cares about the news, are we gonna see more kids in the hospital or not?

is this law even constitutional?

 

[BoberFett]

Originally posted by: Valkerie
who cares about the news, are we gonna see more kids in the hospital or not?

is this law even constitutional?

Nothing unconstitutional about it, the state can let anyone they want use the roads.

I do think we'll be seeing some injuries quickly though.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Valkerie
who cares about the news, are we gonna see more kids in the hospital or not?

is this law even constitutional?

Of course we're going to see more kids in the hospital. Such is life.

But I don't recall that portion of the constitution that requires a state to keep kids locked in a nice, safe padded cell until they turn 18, so I doubt it's unconstitutional.