Once again, the innocent must suffer for the actions of those who disregard the law and, in this case, the victims are the elderly and those who rely on mobility scooters to ambulate from place to place.

The so-called ‘electric bimba’, taking its name from the ‘bimba’ car riding toys used by children in Israel, has been banned for import to Israel by the Ministry of Transportation, at least for the time being. It appears that youths, including under the age of 16 who are prohibited from operating the mobility scooters, have found a way to bypass the computer setting which limits its speed to 12 KPH (7.2 MPH) and with the appearance of a one-seater car, with closing doors and manual windows, they are having a party.

The ban follows recommendation to do so by the National Road Safety Authority, which report the growing popularity this particular model mobility scooter is having among the teens. The mobility scooter is intended for one person, the driver, and to be used in urban areas on sidewalks. Deputy Director-General of the Transportation Ministry, Avner Flor explains this model is not being used as it was intended, to assist the disabled, and today, they model is being modified by bypassing the manufacturers settings to permit it to travel faster.

According to Flor, “the operation of these scooters on the road has many implications in terms of traffic and safety in the urban space, as they are not adapted to the existing road conditions and may endanger the passengers and other road users”.

“The passengers of the bimba feels safe, like all the drivers on the road, and their way of driving may be appropriate, but this is not the case,” he said, adding that it is dangerous for children under the age of 16 to operate them.

In response to this, the ministry has decided to ban the import of the model, and to limit the use of the ones sold to the disabled and elderly by making sure the maximum speed does not exceed manufacturer’s settings.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)