What DO You Call Someone Who Rides a Scooter?

The Dangers Of Pigeonholing

Why We Need Scooters!

Meredith’s now-classic post on scooters buried within it a crucial question: what do you call someone who rides a scooter? Meredith herself suggested “scooterist” or “scooter-rider.”

The hard-working staff here at Legal Planet fiercely debated the issue. I originally thought that the name for someone who rides a “scooter” is…”scooter.” The point is that a scooter scoots, and so does someone who rides it. Julia argued for scootor as a way of differentiating it, but that’s too precious.

I asked my Facebook page. No consensus: many insisted on “scooterer,” and that is possible. Yet another pointed out that “scooterist” is in fact in the dictionary, but it’s not in the OED, so it is still open.

Perhaps the best comment came, as it does so often, from our friend Will Schroeer, one of the leading smart growth advocates in the country. Will is the former state policy director for Smart Growth America and currently heads East Metro Strong, an organization devoted to increasing transit equity in and for St. Paul and environs. Will wrote:

Term for:
– Person using a scooter: “person using a scooter”
Similarly:
– Person using a bus: “person using a bus”
– Person driving a car: “person driving a car”
– Person walking: “person walking”
– Etc.

When we divide people up into modal categories, we make it harder to have a civilized conversation about how we all get around and what we need to do so safely. The word “Cyclists”, rightly or wrongly, seems to bring up images of Lycra in a lot of people’s minds. And makes it easy to be against “them” and building anything for them.

Is “a kid using a bike to get to the library” a “cyclist”? I don’t know. I do know, she needs a safe street or bike path to get there. And accurately described in that way, many other people agree.

This is true, and crucial to keep in mind. It’s probably the best way to say things. Categories not only turn us into groups, but obscure the more important issue, namely: how are we going to have a transportation system that works for all people? Point taken. Zasloff, J., concurring.

But I still want a word, dammit. So I will go with our friend Leon Dayan’s suggestion: scooterista. It has the continental elan that Julia demands. I will use it. And then I will take Will’s advice and focus on “people using scooters.”

4 Replies to “What DO You Call Someone Who Rides a Scooter?”

Jai Rho says:

March 6, 2019 at 1:06 am

How about “scootist”? A person who fires a gun is called a “shooter,” and John Wayne was in a classic movie about a gunfighter called “The Shootist.” So, “scootist” seems appropriate.

Another alternative to “scooter” (besides “pest,” “menace,” “joyrider,” “inconsiderate,” etc.) is “tail-wagger.” That is because redesigning roads and urban infrastructure in favor of scooters to reduce or eliminate cars and other vehicles would also reduce or eliminate more efficient, higher capacity ZEVs (including public buses).

California is on a path to reduce GHG emissions by 80% by 2050, with about 90% ZEVs. Derailing progress in ZEV car and bus usage in favor of scooters would have the tail wag the dog.
Megan Herzog says:

March 6, 2019 at 5:51 am

Fave post of 2019 thus far
Sean Hecht says:

March 6, 2019 at 10:21 am

Will has the correct take on this one, I think!
David Holtzman says:

March 7, 2019 at 5:01 pm

Electric scooters are motor vehicles.

So it should be “driver.”
And “person driving a scooter.”

But motorcycle drivers are often called riders, so we might let “scooter rider” slide,
especially if we make scooter riders wear helmets too.
—> Repeal last year’s scooter-company sponsored, Central Valley Republican-carried, AB 2989.
For the sake of public health, please!

Comments are closed.