Middle-class problems: I'm a middle-aged suburban father - do I belong on a poor man's Segway?
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.I'm teetering on the edge, and I've only myself to blame. It started with my daughter's first scooter, one of that brand that every child in the country seems to have (oh, to have the import licence for that cash cow…). Remarkably, and unlike most of the other stuff flogged to kids, it's well made – Swiss, no less.
Boy, do they look fun – the five-year-old, head back, trailing leg cocked just so, circles me breezily as I trudge through the park with the two-year-old strapped to my back. Graceful. Elegant. And, more to the point, zippy. I could do with a bit of that zip to elevate some of my commutes about London. And I know those scooters are cool – well, the models the kids on the skate ramps use, the neon ones they chuck about with ankle-threatening abandon.
Which is how I find myself rummaging about on eBay for second-hand adult scooter bargains; thinking about portability, stowability, how I can knock off a few minutes and a few quid as a I bop around the capital. My finger hovers over "Bid"…
And I pause. I'm a middle-aged suburban father. I clip my eyebrows. I fret about losing my dump permit. Do I belong on a toy, a poor man's Segway? Even the grown-ups riding them in the manufacturer's online video look sheepish. I suspect that I could only get away with riding a scooter in about four central-London postcodes. And one park in San Francisco. Elsewhere, you're basically target practice.
But still –my children would love to see me on one. Hell, you're only 42 once.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments