Cont...

Or again when flying my model planes & drones, helicopters I have to drive the full length of a long deserted grass runway several times a day. Its endless at 6 mph!  Life is too short for this kind of abuse!

Yet again, when I have no choice but to take to the roads to get past obstacles, areas with no footpaths or badly parked cars blocking the footpath, or groups of slow moving AB's etc. I am forced on to the ROAD, trying to find yet another non existent or blocked curb cut to get back on the footpath and out of danger. Here, 6mph is plain dangerous. Or trying to get out of the way of some blind truck driver reversing towards you in a car park. Again speed = safety.

And in the right places (like country roads, car parks, airfields, docklands, private land) its safe fun. And this chair also has immense range. So it allows you to actually go places in a sensible time. And has the battery power to back it up and make use of this speed. You can go to the places you only dreamed of.

I am not getting killed or injured just to please some beurocrat that has never even used a powerchair. The law says 4mph on footpaths. 8 mph on roads is "legal" for a powerchair in the UK. And I would only exceed these for reasons of safety or on private property. As such my BM3 chair has a 4mph setting too! For indoor and public footpath/shopping areas and legality reasons. The throttle goes both ways!

15 or 16 MPH speed burst is pretty important when I am crossing a busy intersection and finding myself racing the cars &  lights in a dynamic situation. Then trying to find a way back on to the footpath on the opposite side!  Access ramps often blocked off by traffic or other pedestrians now in the way. The more speed you have at these times the better and safer for all.

And its also important to be fast enough to get out of the way when a truck or some myopic old woman is trying to reverse into you. This kind of scenario happens all too often. Speed and acceleration is essential to me, making my life easier as well as much safer. Power, speed and control in the right hands enhances user safety, makes journeys seem shorter, allows my dog to run, makes airfields, large markets, trips into town centre all seem seem much less daunting and time consuming. And all without worrying if you will have enough battery to make it home.

And its fun!