In the UK the speed limit is 4 miles an hour (6 km an hour) on the
pavement and 8 mile an hour (12 km an hour) on the road. I think many
powered wheelchairs and scooters are limited to 4 miles an hour, but
others can go faster. There are requirements like using lights on the
road at night though and these can be found in the highway code for
powered wheelchairs and scooters -
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_069852.
This law exists to protect other road and pavement users, particularly
those with disabilities (especially visual impairments). Powered
wheelchairs and scooters are potentially dangerous - not only to other
road and pavement users but also to those using them. A friend of
mine fell out of his powered wheelchair when he went down a curb too
fast and it fell on top of him. I'm visually impaired and was run
into by an powered scooter last year that was speeding around a corner
and it hurt like hell. If he'd been travelling at a more sensible
speed he might have been able to stop in time. It seems sensible to me
that if those using powered wheelchairs and scooters are going to
share the pavement with pedestrians they have speed limits similar to
the speed that pedestrians walk.
I hope this helps,
Emma
On 19/02/2009, Maria <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> Thank you, for the information you sent. I'm a little amazed that other
> countries already thought about it. Did anyone consult the user of the
> chairs/scooter regarding the speed?
> Some people say I go fast on my chair outside, yet, I think I'm moderate,
> especially in winter when its cold and I want to get inside quickly.
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Emma Friesen"
> <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2009 7:45 PM
> Subject: Re: speed of motorised wheelchairs
>
>
>
> Hi,
>
> In Australia it is an issue because of the definition of a "vehicle" in
> state transport regulations. In some states, a "vehicle" is defined on the
> basis of speed and weight - and technically if a wheelchair or scooter can
> travel faster than 10 km / hr, it is considered a "vehicle". It then
> requires registration to be used legally. Some government funding bodies
> make it a requirement that suppliers limit the maximum speed of powerchairs
> / scooters so the burden of registration isn't passed to the user.
>
> Emma.
>
>
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Emma Friesen
> Rehabilitation Engineer
>
> _c Assistive Technology & Seating
> |[-_ (A division of Clinical Technology Service,
> (o) .\_ Northern Sydney Central Coast Area Health Service)
>
> Ph: 02 9808 9292
> Fax: 02 9808 9682
> Email: [log in to unmask]
> Address: 600 Victoria Road, RYDE NSW 2112
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
> >
> > >
> > > > Maria <[log in to unmask]> Thursday, 19 February 2009 1:23:57 am >>>
> > > >
> > >
> >
> Hi Everyone
>
> This is an inquiry regarding a policy that is being imposed on person with
> disabilities (motorised wheelchair users in Quebec. Our government, decided
> unilaterally -without consultation to impose a 10 km hr speed on wheelchairs
> that it provides for us, Anywhere else that such policy exist? If yes how
> did it come about? And Why?
>
> Maria
>
>
>
> Disclaimer: Unless explicitly attributed, the opinions expressed in this
> email are those of the author only and do not represent the official view of
> Northern Sydney Central Coast Health nor the New South Wales Government.
> ________________End of message________________
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--
Emma Jane Rowlett (née Wright)
School of Sociology and Social Policy
University of Nottingham
[log in to unmask]
www.accessingmaterials.org.uk
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