Anyone else find it odd to see people of middle age (of which I am one, no sense in denying it) using these unpowered scooters to get about?

I mean, I see the sense, but it's odd isn't it? Mind you, I'm of the ilk that shuns running unless it's a life or death situation or, at a pinch, involved in some sort of sport based exercise.

I think it's a British thing (my own views), and I'm not for one moment suggesting that they shouldn't, no, rather that I kind of admire their chutzpah.

Doubt that they think it, er, chutzpah-worthy. But it is isn't it?

Hang on, I like cricket and consider it a sport (and a marvellous one at that).

It's ok, I figured it out. It's me

I'm also middle-aged and trottineting is one of the least childish things that I do; many of which, my grown-up 12yr.old daughter finds as constant sources of embarrassment.

If you haven't tried it - go out and buy one and give it a go - we're a long time dead.

Wow, caught a live one on the first cast there!

So, if you don't mind me prying, where do you come from?

Wondering if it's assimilation points that need to be awarded here you see.

As to your daughter's view, well, I don't have children, but I gather that it matters not a jot what you do, any sentient behaviour* of any kind will be deemed uncool.

*in the public eye

You're not the only one.

Grown men on micro-scooters

Find it hilarious to see them flying down the hill from near where I live into the town. Yet to see any of them scootering back up - guess they take the bus.

First of all - what age is "middle-age"?

We were talking about this one freezing sunny day lately - when I was a kid (teenager) middle-aged was¨about 26) ..... although grown-ups said it was 35. Now 50 seems to be nearing middle-age ........ and over 80 seems to be the norm for "old" these days....?

Or are we talking about "grown-ups" or adults on scooters?
There`s an octogenarian in my village who uses a scooter, certainly way past the half century mark - used for gentle downwards travel from the old-age home, and easily folded up for return ride in auto.

Well, to use a cricketing analogy, I've already waved my bat in the air, between the stumps, but without taking off my helmet - but just in days on a calender or two, but not in mentality.

The reasons why using a trottinette is attractive, are:

- because it was initially and predominately still is, used by children, no-one's going to say to the snotty-nosed rug-rats to go and play with the traffic, so scooting along on the pavements is almost accepted;

- I believe that there is no legislation that governs the conditions for it's use - either as a road vehicle or on the pavement;

- it can be used on the flat and downhill to gain time, but for the return journey uphill, can be folded up for walking or jumping on a tram or bus;

- it brings out the kid mentality of the speed, dodgem memories of childhood in all of us staid, uptight grown-ups.

It's still going to look a bit odd to me I'm afraid. But you know, as I mentioned before (sort of) vive la differance and all that. I see the sense in it, especially on the Novartis campus, where you can be walking about all day (if you're doing it right).

I'm 37 as it happens.

I know, the day you stop listening to the charts and will only, and with great reluctance, listen to new music. BANG.

Why should age come into it for any physical activitiy?

My father played badminton and could beat me at table tennis until he was in his seventies. I think he played cricket till then as well.

There are a couple of over 70 aged women who had faster times than half the 40 year olds in last years stadtlauf.

I met a couple of older German women kayaking on the Danube - the 82 year old was just doing a short trip that summer - 1000km, padding every day regardless of the weather, carrying and erecting her own tent etc. every day.

An aunt still plays golf several times a week, in her late 80's. But she is not the oldest active member of her golf club

If someone wants to use a scooter, great. The activity will keep them out of the funeral parlor.
Just don't scoot around the supermarket. Scooters are an outside form of transport, like bicycles. (could someone tell that to all the 10 year olds as well, please. )

doesn't bother me a bit, especially when a pensioner on a scooter throws in a bar spin or tail whip on their way down the hill.

Can I just throw the following into the same bucket?

Grown men riding bicycles no-handed. Yeah, it's impressive. When you're 8.

I believe if it works for the person, it does not hurt anyone else or break anything, live and let live.

When i moved to Switzerland my husband gave me 1 rule about the Swiss "anything goes, people do not care what others think if it feels right to them". Live life, what others think is secondary.

From someone who was brought up by a very strict mother, who's biggest worry was what others would think, the Swiss way of life is liberating.

Seen this practice in the winter in Basel. Keeps the hands warm but it's nerv racking to pass these people in a car. Mostly the young adults indulge in this activity. Less to carry when they reach their destination.

Laziness is nothing more than the habit of resting before you get tired. hehe

Indeed.

My most powerful bike has more power than my car (and most others)!

How else do you expect them to operate their iSmart-handheld-touchpad-palm-thingy?

I want to ride our ancient "Törfli" through the backhills of Emmental this summer in hopes of meeting an available cheesemaker.

I'm middle aged ( so long as I live to be 114 ) and I've been thinking about buying one of those things... for that long commute down to the car-park.

cricket tho... I've never understood that, isn't that sort of like baseball, with tea-breaks?

I learned from a UK friend back in the 90s when these became fashionable that they are called micro-scooters (he actually called them "twat"-scooters but I think that was a reference to the rider)

Makes me laugh that so many from across the pond don't understand cricket - when the rules are so easy to follow. Here's a simpletons guide:

Living in Wiedikon in Zurich, I've noticed they're extremely popular with the Hasidic Jewish guys.