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sl8

(13,788 posts)
Fri Jun 29, 2018, 07:38 AM Jun 2018

Netherlands Mobility Scooter Race

(Accompanied by a little Golden Earring)

One contestant broke his hip.





Mobility scooter race competition in the Netherlands
https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/news/world/2018/06/27/mobility-scooter-race-competition-in-the-netherlands/36430819/

From https://www.nu.nl/binnenland/5337026/nk-scootmobiel-volgend-jaar-aangepast-vanwege-gebroken-heup-deelnemer.html?redirect=1

The NK scooter will be performed on an easier course with a lower maximum speed next year. That's what the organization announced on Thursday, after a participant broke his hip on Wednesday and other elderly people were out of the job with their carts.

"The elderly were blood fanatics," said director Jan Romme against broadcaster NH . He organized the event more often in the past, but did not see the same grit at the participants before. "This time they were trained in advance."

However, that did not apply to every driver. According to Romme, the accidents were mainly due to the inexperience of some of the racers and a sharp turn in the circuit. What is a brake on a bicycle steering wheel is the 'accelerator' for the electric wheelchairs. This resulted in problems for several participants.

"When we noticed that, we stopped the course and limited the maximum speed of 17 kilometers per hour to 9 kilometers per hour", says Romme. However, that measure came too late for the oldest participant, who had already broken his hip at that moment. The man said from his stretcher nevertheless to be happy that he had participated, according to the director, who admitted that the elderly man was actually physically too vulnerable to join.
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More at link.

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