Agree on mobility vehicles for disabled persons, I didn't mention them specifically but they are in their own category as they do need to navigate walkable surfaces.
I believe that a modern city should not tolerate powered vehicles not fitting any of the specific categories though. There is no limit to technical possibilities, but if we can it doesn't mean we should and meanwhile people have to live and go places without feeling constantly in danger, that's just not healthy.
Providing safe infrastructure for smaller powered (or unpowered) mobility devices means disabled people can get around more effectively too, because wheels work better on pavement than on (often uneven) sidewalks. I posted this in another thread but it’s relevant here too:
What speeds are you talking about where a normal sidewalk is a problem? What kind of ruined pavement is unfit for a mobility device moving at pedestrian speed?
Many mobility devices can move at speeds higher than pedestrian speed, but they can only effectively do that on a smooth surface that’s designed for it. (As shown in both of those videos.) This is especially beneficial for people who can’t drive.
But as to your question about ruined pavement unfit for a mobility device moving at pedestrian speed, that describes a nontrivial portion of the sidewalks near my apartment in Philly. (And that’s if you can even navigate around all the parked cars blocking the crosswalks and curb cuts.)
> I believe that a modern city should not tolerate powered vehicles not fitting any of the specific categories though.
A lot of people are surprised that electric kick-scooters (I think that's the correct English word for it? Standup scooters maybe?) are illegal in Amsterdam, but this is exactly why. They're motorized, but they don't meet the standards of motorized vehicles around here.
I believe that a modern city should not tolerate powered vehicles not fitting any of the specific categories though. There is no limit to technical possibilities, but if we can it doesn't mean we should and meanwhile people have to live and go places without feeling constantly in danger, that's just not healthy.