Hammond scooter column controversy

Alasondro Alegré · April 14th, 2008, 12:06 PM

Ah, good old Top Gear lads. Commended one day, condemned the next. An organization called Scoot-A-Long is not amused by this Daily Mirror column penned by the Hamster,

http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/disp...pNodeId=133174

IceBone · April 14th, 2008, 12:24 PM

Ugh... if the people behind that had just a shred of intelligence, they'd know that there was no mocking in that column...

Also, scooters like that give a bad name to real scooters...

http://www.mototekblog.com/aprilia-pictures/2006-aprilia-sr50-3.jpg

http://www.tg-motor.dk/peugeot/speedfight2.jpg

http://www.motorcyclingblog.com/media/images/vijesti/070605001.jpg

Had one of these a few years ago and they're a blast. They go 50 kph (legally and 100 illegally), you need a driving licence for them and they do need to go on the road, but they're the coolest definition of the word "scooter" out there. Why these geriatricycles (as useful as they are) have to share the name is beyond me. images/smilies/sad.gif

robybobey · April 14th, 2008, 2:27 PM

I maintain my prejudices that people who drive scooters cannot afford a car, but think they own the road images/smilies/tongue.gif

lol - As Clarkson would quite happily agree

James May's Hair · April 14th, 2008, 2:28 PM

Quote:

"The photo has breached our copyright and the man whose body it is is very upset."

What, more upset than the fact he can't walk and needs a ****ing scooter? Has anyone thought about how poor old Lewis is feeling? That thing would probably have worked better than his McLaren in Bahrain.

timbuktu · April 14th, 2008, 8:18 PM

Hamster even says in the editorial that the scooters are essential for the independence pensioners and the disabled.

I'm surprised that the non-profit, Scoot-a-long, is getting all riled up. They could have spun this into their favor by inviting Hamster (and the whole Top Gear crew) to a drag race and made it into a great photo opportunity. It would have shown that the organization has a good sense of humor as well as created good will. Scoot-a-long has already ridden scooters around Britain (5000 miles) to raise awareness, how could they not see this as an opportunity? Could you imagine Jeremy screaming "MOOOORE POOOOWER!" on a scooter while the Stig drifted it through some corners? Absolutely epic...

Instead they threaten to sue because they might lose charitable contributions? images/smilies/blink.gif

Whiskey tango foxtrot...

Donington · April 14th, 2008, 11:08 PM

Scooters rock!

+ YouTube Video

skylock · April 15th, 2008, 3:22 AM

I thought Hammond's article was very cute.

Speaking as someone who just returned from a cruise to the caribbean, I must say I never thought one way or the other about scooters before this trip, but I returned with a deep seated haterid of the damn things. And they were everywhere. And being that they are basically silent, they are on you before you know it.

I think at the very least they should be made to tie cow bells to the handlebars or something so you can hear them coming. Everyday going to the buffet the little old dears would be honking that little horn. Standing quietly in line then suddenly a honk honk honk as they scrape an inch of skin off the back of your legs and heels.

And I agree. Rather than being so "offended" by Richard's remarks, they should have embraced him and got him on their side for the charity. Haven't they heard about the helicopter fund thing? They have blown it now though.

BlaRo · April 15th, 2008, 3:54 AM

"Scoot-a-Long"? These people expect to be taken seriously? images/smilies/lmao.gif

Ok, as a charity I commend them for what they're doing. But I guess their sense of humor only goes so far.

Also, aren't they called "invalid carriages"?

tigger · April 15th, 2008, 4:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IceBone

Also, scooters like that give a bad name to real scooters...

Nothing wrong with those ...

+ YouTube Video

Those 'Scoot-a-Long' guys need to relax. This is free publicity (something that it sounds like they want), and even if it is kind of mocking them, it's all in good fun.

chvvkumar · April 15th, 2008, 4:29 AM

[Shameless plug]

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[/Shameless plug]

eldiaoble · April 15th, 2008, 6:21 AM

what does the picture look like because there wasn't displayed

MijetMan · April 15th, 2008, 12:01 PM

"oh deer. they put lewis hamiltons head on mine in a photo. oh wait! this doesn't harm me at all. well better pop to the shops, i need milk."

it's not as if they said 'look at this prick, he can't use his legs. what a dick head'
they obscured his identity, they didn't mock scooter riding. they simply expressed concern for pedestrians and then proposed a solution to what is claimed to be a problem.

and anyway, those scooters are pretty good fun. nearly rolled one once.

hansvonaxion · April 15th, 2008, 12:42 PM

Not one response in support of the charity, and with good reason. The article was actually somewhat supportive of scooter users.

Quote:

Im a 35 year old male who has to use a mobility scooter to get out and about... and Richard Hammond is a hero of mine. I also know the scootalong team... I think certain people may need to get a humour gland implanted... Storm in a teacup comes to mind.

Stuart Wyatt, Stonehouse, Plymouth

Quote:

My mum uses one of these scooters and she thought it funny. I'm sure most people will.

Maria, Plymouth

Its just one guy in charge with either no sense of humour, or a chip on his shoulder.

Reminds me of when the Jane Goodall foundation complained to Gary Larson about one of his The Far Side cartoons in which Jane Goodall was the main subject, calling it offensive and all the rest. Funny part was, she'd read it and thought it was hilarious.

April 14th, 2008, 12:06 PM	#1
Alasondro Alegré Joined: Nov 23rd, 2006 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Portugal Posts: 1,283 Rep Power: 99	Hammond scooter column controversy Ah, good old Top Gear lads. Commended one day, condemned the next. An organization called Scoot-A-Long is not amused by this Daily Mirror column penned by the Hamster, http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/disp...pNodeId=133174 __________________ I have a recurring dream in which Jeremy is on fire and I have the fire extinguisher but can't get the pin out. James May Last edited by Alasondro Alegré; April 16th, 2008 at 6:30 PM.

April 14th, 2008, 12:24 PM	#2
IceBone Experienced Lover Joined: Jan 14th, 2007 Last Online: 3:39 AM Location: Slovenistan Age: 25 Posts: 9,143 Car: 1997 Audi A4 1.8 Rep Power: 173	Ugh... if the people behind that had just a shred of intelligence, they'd know that there was no mocking in that column... Also, scooters like that give a bad name to real scooters... Had one of these a few years ago and they're a blast. They go 50 kph (legally and 100 illegally), you need a driving licence for them and they do need to go on the road, but they're the coolest definition of the word "scooter" out there. Why these geriatricycles (as useful as they are) have to share the name is beyond me. __________________ Bridge to Gantry time: 11:07

April 14th, 2008, 2:27 PM	#3
robybobey Joined: Nov 27th, 2006 Last Online: November 6th, 2009 Location: Wigan, Lancashire, England Age: 20 Posts: 683 Car: 2006 Renault Clio LFS Status: Rep Power: 43	I maintain my prejudices that people who drive scooters cannot afford a car, but think they own the road lol - As Clarkson would quite happily agree __________________ Top Gear / Finalgear Relations Manager

April 14th, 2008, 8:18 PM	#5
timbuktu Joined: Feb 18th, 2007 Last Online: December 15th, 2008 Posts: 21 Rep Power: 0	Hamster even says in the editorial that the scooters are essential for the independence pensioners and the disabled. I'm surprised that the non-profit, Scoot-a-long, is getting all riled up. They could have spun this into their favor by inviting Hamster (and the whole Top Gear crew) to a drag race and made it into a great photo opportunity. It would have shown that the organization has a good sense of humor as well as created good will. Scoot-a-long has already ridden scooters around Britain (5000 miles) to raise awareness, how could they not see this as an opportunity? Could you imagine Jeremy screaming "MOOOORE POOOOWER!" on a scooter while the Stig drifted it through some corners? Absolutely epic... Instead they threaten to sue because they might lose charitable contributions? Whiskey tango foxtrot...

April 15th, 2008, 3:22 AM	#7
skylock Not A Dude Joined: Jun 3rd, 2006 Last Online: 2:45 AM Location: USA Posts: 1,253 Car: Honda Civic Rep Power: 71	I thought Hammond's article was very cute. Speaking as someone who just returned from a cruise to the caribbean, I must say I never thought one way or the other about scooters before this trip, but I returned with a deep seated haterid of the damn things. And they were everywhere. And being that they are basically silent, they are on you before you know it. I think at the very least they should be made to tie cow bells to the handlebars or something so you can hear them coming. Everyday going to the buffet the little old dears would be honking that little horn. Standing quietly in line then suddenly a honk honk honk as they scrape an inch of skin off the back of your legs and heels. And I agree. Rather than being so "offended" by Richard's remarks, they should have embraced him and got him on their side for the charity. Haven't they heard about the helicopter fund thing? They have blown it now though. __________________ Judy People were crashing cars long before Top Gear existed. James May

April 15th, 2008, 3:54 AM	#8
BlaRo Lady GaGa's #1 Fan Joined: Aug 18th, 2005 Last Online: 1:54 AM Location: Assachusetts Age: 21 Posts: 11,127 Car: 1997 Yamaha Seca II, 1976 Honda CB550F Rep Power: 360	"Scoot-a-Long"? These people expect to be taken seriously? Ok, as a charity I commend them for what they're doing. But I guess their sense of humor only goes so far. Also, aren't they called "invalid carriages"? __________________ "It is impossible to describe this kind of performance to the uninitiated. Telling a traffic officer or a safety crusader like Ralph Nader that 100 mph can be safe is like reading the Constitution to a Maoist; it is a strange and hostile concept." -Brock Yates. The body was accidentally unearthed from a shallow grave by construction workers. Because of Parkinson's.

April 15th, 2008, 4:29 AM	#10
chvvkumar Joined: Dec 24th, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Northridge, LA, CA Age: 27 Posts: 382 Rep Power: 29	[Shameless plug] This is my new scooter! [/Shameless plug] Last edited by chvvkumar; April 15th, 2008 at 5:14 AM.

April 15th, 2008, 6:21 AM	#11
eldiaoble Joined: Dec 2nd, 2006 Last Online: 1:17 AM Location: Somewhere Posts: 121 Car: 1996 Toyota Avalon Rep Power: 16	what does the picture look like because there wasn't displayed

April 15th, 2008, 12:01 PM	#12
MijetMan Joined: Jun 1st, 2007 Last Online: May 30th, 2008 Location: Malmesbury Posts: 32 Rep Power: 10	"oh deer. they put lewis hamiltons head on mine in a photo. oh wait! this doesn't harm me at all. well better pop to the shops, i need milk." it's not as if they said 'look at this prick, he can't use his legs. what a dick head' they obscured his identity, they didn't mock scooter riding. they simply expressed concern for pedestrians and then proposed a solution to what is claimed to be a problem. and anyway, those scooters are pretty good fun. nearly rolled one once.

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