What's this? A Tank or Wheelchair?

[Johnboy60]

A DISABLED man has been stopped from using his specially-made wheelchair because British road authorities say it's a tank.

Jim Starr, 36, was told by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DLVA) he cannot ride his specially-made chair, which has caterpillar-treads instead of wheels, because its size and width technically make it a tank.

According to DVLA guidelines disabled buggies and scooters cannot exceed more than 85cm in width and 125kg in weight.

Jim's Tank Chair is 107cm wide and weighs 220kg.

Jim says he has already driven the custom-made vehicle across snow, sand and even into the surf of his local beach.

"The whole idea of the chair was that I could go down to the beach with the kids," Jim said.

"It is a fantastic machine and can take me anywhere I want to go. It has no limits."

Sorry, your chair's a, um, tank Weird News - The Mercury - The Voice of Tasmania

 

[pgp_protector]

 

[Spaceman_Spiff]

That chair is pure awesome.

as long as the tracks don't damage anything I don't see an issue.

Fight for your right!

 

[charsan2]

I seen that get built. It's a chair no matter what they say

 

[Drekkan85]

I can think of one possible reason - if he was driving his chair on public sidewalks. Then the increased size, especially if it travels at any real speed, could become dangerous to other pedestrians. Plus the weight and the treads may (emphasis may) cause some damage on the roadways.

That said, if we're dealing with using it on private property or off-roading... then yeah, let him go ahead.

 

[Douger]

I can think of one possible reason - if he was driving his chair on public sidewalks. Then the increased size, especially if it travels at any real speed, could become dangerous to other pedestrians. Plus the weight and the treads may (emphasis may) cause some damage on the roadways.

That said, if we're dealing with using it on private property or off-roading... then yeah, let him go ahead.

Could be a prob on sidewalks due to it's width, but there's no possible way it could actually damage a road or sidewalk. A person walking with shoes is putting more weight per square centimeter than this thing would.

 

[Andrew Ryan]

I really wouldn't consider that a tank. I mean, what army in the world would honestly use a tank of that size? It's a glorified wheelchair, come on.

 

[Glas Ridire]

I can think of one possible reason - if he was driving his chair on public sidewalks. Then the increased size, especially if it travels at any real speed, could become dangerous to other pedestrians.

It travels at a maximum of 12 km/h . . the average jogging speed of average people is 9 - 10 km/h. Should we ban above average joggers from jogging on roads and sidewalks?

Whoever at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency got in this man's business should be banned from using their legs for a year and a day & then asked to revisit the topic.

 

[Drekkan85]

As I said, it depends on the top speed and the size. While above average joggers move at it's top speed, they're also a good bit smaller and more laterally agile. I can see why it may be a bit much for everyday use/on a sidewalk.

That said, it looks mostly like he uses it for offroad use - in which case I have no reason to complain about his using it.

 

[Daedalus^2]

He should justify their fears about this... Bolt a gattling gun onto it, a small mortar or two and then you've got yourself a problem worth complaining about.

 

[Billnew]

It's 20cm to big, not to big for a sidewalk.
twice the weight but it is an all terrain scooter.


http://www.bandwequipment.com/images/equipment/131.jpg
tank?

also found another picture of this mobility device:
small tractor with tracked wheels - Bing Images

Restrict is to immediate crossing of roads and sidewalks only.

It's weight does not seem that bad, twice the weight of a normal scooter.
Not sure of the weight capacity of roads or sidewalks, but still seems light.
Scooters can be dangerous to people walking near them. If he is responsible and the controls safe, then the vehicle is safe.