Road legal 1000W electric scooter

[cwah]

Hello there,

Have you seen this?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/1000W-48V-Powerboard-Black-C9316/dp/B00FOUK056/ref=pd_sim_sbs_sg_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=1RCBJ1ZV8DZ1RPN5FQT8

It may be a good alternative to the brompton as it can be really compact. It would fit under any desk and should be easily hidden inside a bag if I take public transport.

The only issue is to carry a passenger... I'm not sure how that would handle.

Looks like I should be able to carry a passenger if I remove the seat?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TtsCcyqN_I#t=116

What do you think? Does that worth a try?

 

[flecc]

You couldn't legally carry a passenger without seats for both of you, and there's nowhere near enough room on it for that.

And 1000 watts without pedal assistance is marginal to carry two people.

 

[Kramer]

Not forgetting licensing, tax & insurance.

 

[cwah]

Is licensing, tax and insurance expensive?

I can easily overvolt the motor to increase power if required..

2 people standing on the scooter should be cool isn't it?

 

[trex]

I think insurance is about £100 per annum but you can't insure it until you have a number plate, which requires type approval. Now can you licence it as a 50cc scooter? somebody needs to approach DVLA.
..wait, thinking about it, how about e-converting a petrol scooter?

 

[cwah]

The problem is that I'm living in a small flat in central london.

So there is no way I can bring up a full size scooter inside the flat.

I could potentially leave it on the street... but I'd have problems charging it as well as parking it..

 

[Geebee]

You did notice the scooter weighs 48kg so lifting it is going to be fun, plus the weight will reduce its power, I suspect it will have trouble with decent hills even one up.

 

[Cyclezee]

One thing that would really put me off aside from the legalities and practicalities of this machine is the little 12" wheels, all too easily swallowed by some of the potholes in London and elsewhere in the UK.

 

[flecc]

2 people standing on the scooter should be cool isn't it?

Cool enough to end up in court.

The law specifies that there must be seats for each person carried, and both will have to be wearing motorcycle-approved crash helmets.

As Geebee observed, there's nowhere near enough power for two and barely enough for one.

 

[trex]

cwah, how many miles is your daily commute?

 

[cwah]

My daily commute is around 3.5 miles each way. So 7 miles...

The idea of getting this scooter was cool

 

[tillson]

My daily commute is around 3.5 miles each way.

Walking?

 

[Cyclezee]

Walking?

or cycling with pedal power?

 

[cwah]

cycling or walking is still 3.5 miles each way. I can't see myself walking 1 hour every day to go to work

 

[Artstu]

I thought it was a joke at first what's the elevation profile like on these 3.5 miles? if pretty flat isn't that a doddle on any bike, I'm guessing there's busy traffic too?

 

[Arbol]

In Barcelona, these SEL are legal and do not require even a license, assuming power is less than 1kW and max speed ia 25km/h. Many tourists rent them.

 

[cwah]

yes it's flat and busy traffic. There isn't much hill in central london...

That's why a small scooter would have make sense

 

[Artstu]

A skip bike then, especially if you have to leave locked up on the street somewhere.

 

[Cyclezee]

A quick look here http://www.atob.org.uk/folding-bikes/folding-bikes-price-guide-uk/ shows many good quality non powered folders for well under the purchase price of that electric scooter.
The average cyclist with average fitness should be able pedal one for 3.5 miles over relatively flat terrain without busting a gut in well under half an hour and still have energy left to be able to carry a relatively lightweight folder up 1 or 2 flights of stairs.
Am I bonkers saying this on the forum? Yes probably

 

[flecc]

cycling or walking is still 3.5 miles each way. I can't see myself walking 1 hour every day to go to work

Some commuting into London on flat routes use roller skates for such distances. Have you ever used them?

Much quicker than walking, they're a good compromise for a short journey, and you can use pavements or road edges. Your companion could have their own pair.