Posted on 05/25/2007 2:05:06 PM PDT by devane617
There's lazy, and then there's Las Vegas lazy.
In increasing numbers, Las Vegas tourists exhausted by the four miles of gluttony laid out before them are getting around on electric "mobility scooters."
Don't think trendy Vespa motorbikes. Think updated wheelchair.
Forking over about $40 a day and their pride, perfectly healthy tourists are cruising around Las Vegas casinos in transportation intended for the infirm.
You don't have to take a step. You don't even have to put your drink down.
"It was all the walking," 27-year-old Simon Lezama said on his red Merits Pioneer 3. Lezama, a trim and fit-looking restaurant manager from Odessa, Texas, rented it on day three of his five-day vacation, "and now I can drink and drive, be responsible and save my feet."
The Las Vegas Strip is long past its easily walkable days. Casinos alone are nearly the size of two football fields. That doesn't count the hotel rooms, shopping malls, spas, convention centers, bars and restaurants.
And that's just inside. For tourists who plan to stroll from one big casino to another, there are crowds, construction sites and long stretches of sun-baked sidewalks between.
A tourist could accidentally get some exercise.
"We're seeing more and more young people just for the fact that the Strip has gotten so big, the hotels are so large," said Marcel Maritz, owner of Active Mobility, a scooter rental company whose inventory also includes wheelchairs, crutches and walkers.
Most of those using the scooters are obese, elderly or disabled. But many are young and seemingly fit.
The number of able-bodied renters has grown in the past few years to represent as much as 5 percent of Maritz's business, he said. The company, which contracts with some casinos, has a fleet of about 300 scooters.
"It makes it a lot easier for people to see everything," he said.
At full throttle the scooters open up to about 5 mph, though crowded sidewalks allow little opportunity for such speeds. They can go anywhere wheelchairs can - elevators, bars, craps tables - but are banned from streets. They come with a quick operating lesson, an instruction booklet, a horn and a basket.
"At first, I figured it was for handicapped people, but then I saw everybody was getting them. I figured I might as well, too," Lezama said.
Las Vegas has other transportation options, although each has its problems. The Strip is regularly clogged with cabs and drive-in tourists. A double-decker bus system, dubbed the Deuce, often gets stuck in the mess. A $650 million monorail with stops at eight casinos has been plagued by poor ridership, perhaps because it runs behind the resorts, well off the Strip and out of sight.
Police and casino workers often use bicycles.
Some find the notion of using a device intended for disabled people unethical.
"It's the same principle as parking in a handicap spot," Mike Petillo, 64, a disabled tax accountant who recently visited from New York City.
Several hotel bell desk workers - who handle most of the rental requests from tourists - said they try to discourage people who do not appear to need the scooters from renting. But refusing the self-indulgent is not really an option.
"You can't really discriminate against anybody," said Tom Flynn, owner of Universal Mobility. "We don't require a prescription or an explanation of why they need it."
Michelle Bailey, a slender, apparently healthy 22-year-old, used a scooter to get around a recent pool tournament at the Riviera hotel-casino. "Four-inch heels," she explained with a laugh, pointing to her lipstick-red pumps.
But Troy Burgess, a 21-year-old optician visiting from Detroit, said he considers it "immoral" for an able-bodied person to rent wheels. And not only that, but "you probably wouldn't pick up too many chicks on that scooter."
I’m sorry Paul — I was not begrudging you or anyone else the use of the scooter or whatever other aid you need. As I said, not all disabilities or health problems are visible, and I used my friend as an example.
I was only speculating as to how many of those who were using the scooters really needed them. I agree with those who said that if you don’t use your muscles, they will atrophy and before long, you won’t be able to walk even if you wanted to.
It’s like those “handicapped” parking spots. Where I live, you have to have a permit displayed in the window of your vehicle, and you can get one, not just for the usual “disabilities,” but for heart conditions and other problems that are not so obvious. But I saw a young teenager park in one of those spots, get out of his car and run (not walk) into a store. Didn’t see a permit and judging from that fast sprint into the store, he didn’t appear to need that parking spot. Fortunately, while I was there, the kid left...I would have felt really bad if someone with a disability or health problem needed that spot.
But no, I would never criticize anyone for using a scooter or a special parking spot or whatever if it’s necessary to do so.
Usually the gas ones are illegal in cities — on both sidewalks and streets but since you live in the country, I would think from reading the specs, that the XG505 for $339 — only $40 more than the basic model is the real deal, and may be the top of the line for that category. Isn’t it only 50 lbs. — just slightly more than the heavy cruiser bicycles.
You’re right that the electric models have trouble over hilly all-terrain conditions but the gas-powered ones, and this one is self-described as at least twice the performer for only 15% more seems to be the standout winner.
At this low-end, quality counts a lot. I’d pay $350 for top of the line anything.
Weird, I see the same thing going on at my Walmart :) Seriously, though I think if I was to choose one of those motorized scooters when I am able bodied, it would be like jinxing myself. Like karma would make sure I would need that motorized chair.
I think I was the only one there who wasn’t smoking. When I walked into the lobby of the hotel to check in, every machine was occupied by the same people you see pawing through the bargain bin at the Dollar Store and they were all smoking.
:(
Las Vegas sucks anymore anyhow. A bonafide tourist trap. Any bargains there are rapidly disappearing.
You always lost money gambling, but now they have to push it even further with crap like 6-5 blackjack. The Islamic terrorist leaning cabdrivers jack up the fares by hitting the tunnel even when you specifically tell them not to. Geez, even mainstream chain stores like Walgreens pile on in the price gouging.
I wish the mob still ran the place.
Last time I was at Disney World they made the trip a nightmare. Was constantly getting
my feet run over, banged into and constantly bumped and jostled. And for most of the riders
it was clear walking would be a good thing for them.
LOL. I would think that would be nonsense anywhere; but Vegas.
I guess my big question is, why would anyone want to walk around on the Strip? You do it once, and you realize it’s crowded, pedestrian unfriendly, noisy, and just unpleasant.
Last time we stayed off-Strip with a rental car. If we need to go to the Strip for something special (for me, that’s the Caesar’s, Bally, and Hilton sports books) or for a show or restaurant, we make the 15 minute drive and park at the front door of the destination hotel (valet parking). Easy, no hassle.
Yeah, next time we'll try Tunica or Biloxi.
We stayed at Sunset Station last time (which is otherwise fine). The hotel elevator is 1/8th mile from the main lobby entrance and casino.
It can be a real trick getting out of some of the casinos... I've only been to the Venetian once - My cousin works security at some exclusive club there when he's not on tour doing security - his next tour is with Marilyn Manson - and he loves the Venetian. The one time I was there, it was for the "Art of the Motorcycle" exhibit - Really amazing.
Mark
I've been giving some thought to getting myself a handicapped license plate, but haven't done so... yet. I haven't been able to bring myself to ask my doctor for one... But with both osteo and rheumatoid arthritis in both of my knees, I may need to... I guess I'm just too proud.
But the though of going to Las Vegas again, with all the walking that I used to do there... It just isn't something that I'd like to do at this point in my life. Too painful. Maybe after I get my knees replaced, in a few years.
Mark
Lazy? Yes. Immoral? Give me a break.
Don’t you know that you must live you life exactly as other people wish or else you are immoral?
LOL
Well, the reason why we walk around the strip is that our rig is rather large for all those parking lots/garages in Vegas. We find a good parking space and leave it be, then walk.
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