Bells are for children, right?

All the agonising is over; I had finally decided to purchase my first eScooter and I was feeling pretty good about it. By now, I've had several conversations with friends and family. They think it's a bit radical and a bit dangerous. Maybe they even think the whole thing is a bit of a fad and, hey, maybe I'll grow out of it?

EScooters are beautiful things; they have racing car-inspired materials, they fold or flip or telescopically change shape. Some even come with computers - you feel nearly overwhelmed as you climb aboard that first time, clip on your helmet and scoot out the door.

My first ride on my freshly unpacked EGlide G60 and I was thrilled, exhilarated even, as I effortlessly scooted past my first main intersection (7 1/2 mins average wait time peak hour) and ignored - YES - blatantly ignored the just evacuated parking spot on my left (an action unheard of in Brisbane). I nearly crowed with triumph as I savvied past the banked up traffic, patiently burning fossil fuels while waiting for that green light. I was preparing my discourse for my friends and family upon my return and smiling about it.

It was now I ran into my first spot of trouble. I had no trouble slowing down - I can ride my eScooter at a snails pace if need be, but it was so quiet and the world so noisy, suddenly I was stalled by - of all things - foot traffic. For nearly 15 minutes I tried politely calling, making beeping sounds and ended up walking through the final congestion in an admission of defeat I was not planning on sharing.

My next purchase was a bell. An actual bike bell. People are attuned to it, know what it means and my next trip downtime was vastly different. Sometimes and simplest of things are the best.