Mobility scooter drivers take chequered flag at wacky races

ARBROATH: A fun day for the young and old which also had a serious element to it

Thrill-seeking pensioners summoned up the spirit of Dastardly and Muttley in Arbroath on Saturday.

Mobility scooters whizzed around at speeds of up to 8mph during a “wacky races” funded by the Arbroath COPD Group.

The town’s Low Common resembled a Grand Prix street circuit as drivers pitted their wits against each other.

The Arbroath Mobility Scooter Wacky Races included activities aimed at giving confidence to both novice and advanced mobility scooter users.

The event was organised to highlight a scooter’s impact on people who feel “trapped” indoors by disability or age.

The first of its kind in Scotland, it featured learner driving training for all mobility scooter users, wacky races and time-trials.

Whilst the day was primarily aimed at mobility scooter users who may be disabled or elderly, there were also events for children.

Organiser Donald Downie, whose wife Kathy is secretary for the support group, was conducting the beginners’ course – despite being in plaster.

He said: “Unfortunately I ruptured my left Achilles tendon a week ago and I’m in a plaster cast and unable to walk, so I will now be among the disabled and will have to use a scooter myself.

“The injury has certainly opened my eyes to how dependent the disabled are on other people.

“It is an opportunity for people who have been considering whether or not to buy a scooter to come along and try one out in a controlled environment with no hazards and to have a go in some fun events on a course designed for mobility scooter users.

“Many disabled people and many elderly people are trapped in their homes due to limited mobility and have to rely on friends and relatives to take them out. For many, loneliness is a huge problem.”

There are many different types of scooter, from small ones that fold up and go in the boot of a car to those with offroad capability, allowing people to take part in a whole range of activities.

Mr Downie said many people who could benefit from owning a scooter are nervous or unsure about trying one and the wacky races was an opportunity to “try one out in a controlled environment with no hazards and even have a go in some fun events on courses designed to instil confidence in mobility scooter users”.

He added: “In addition there are an ever-increasing number of mobility scooters on the road, some of which are driven badly due to the lack of knowledge and training of the users.

“As far as we know there are no courses for scooter users so this is an effort by Arbroath COPD Support Group to fill this gap by providing the opportunity to take a short beginners’ course which is free of charge to the participants.”

Funds were also raised for COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) Awareness.

Picture: Paul Reid. People of all ages had great fun whizzing around the course at Arbroath’s Low Common.

Picture: Paul Reid. The event, organised by Donald Downie, right, was the first of its kind in Scotland.