Teen banned from driving lawnmower
A young Cromwell entrepreneur who runs a garden maintenance company has been banned from riding his lawnmower to jobs.
Johnny O’Neill, 14, set up his successful business J C O’Neill Contracting in 2017 and until recently had been driving to jobs around the small Central Otago township on his ride-on 780cc lawnmower.
However, he has been forced to employ a driver to take him to jobs or tow the mower behind his bike after a member of the public complained to police and he received a written warning not to drive the mower. ‘‘It is too big and apparently has too much power,’’ Johnny said.
The mower, powered by hydrostatic transmission, travelled up to 5kmh towing a trailer with equipment, and would be lucky to get to 10kmh downhill, he said.
‘‘It is not exactly going fast ... I would class it safer than a push bike. What is the difference with me going down the footpath with a weed eater on the side and someone mowing their lawn next to the footpath ... or a Lime scooter or e-bike that are a lot more dangerous than what a rideon lawnmower would be?’’
He was disappointed a member of the public would try and ‘‘put their foot in the way’’. The setback was going to cost $25,000 in wages employing someone else, as well as costs running another vehicle.
‘‘It has taken a lot of long hours and long days to get where we are at. We now service 293 clients a week so it is a bit of a logistical exercise. I do 40 of those myself and the staff do the other 250 ... I reckon it is a lot better thing to be doing than sitting at home on your Xbox.’’
His company had a turnover of more than $100,000 last year with only himself and a part-time worker, he said.
Police declined to comment.