Melbourne City Council has banned these vehicles that have been on the go for at least three decades with user numbers building every year.
Most have been used by the youth market until recently, when the adult sector ventured out to test both the viability and their own balance.
The scooter is a picture of simplicity: two small wheels, one fold-down steering lever and one platform to ride on - hard to imagine anything easier to put together.
Instead of banning them MCC should embrace them and work out how they can become a greater asset.
They are as cheap as chips to manufacture and run and perform a great mobility service for the community.
Students and office, business and factory workers find them economical and efficient to use.
Scooters were first released with only human power to drive them but the development of micro electric engines has assisted a lot of people.
A considerable amount of human energy can still be used to maintain a speed.
Once you reach your destination it's a simple matter to stand the vehicle securely out of harm's way until it's next needed.
One of the problems with these things is that they travel rather quietly so can creep up on pedestrians and startle some folk.
It's also easy to overbalance and crash, giving grief to a passer-by or oneself.
Trauma medics report serious injuries caused by scooters.
If left lying around they are also a trip hazard.
Now it has become an Olympic competition in which Australia did well.
Wearing a helmet seems necessary, just as when riding a bicycle.
It’s considered a nuisance for some people but really does make a difference in a bingle.
Unlike a motor car, these devices do not contribute to emissions.
In a big city it makes sense to have more bicycles and scooters on the move.
There are even models with larger wheels that are easier to handle on a loose surface - I haven't seen one with an electrical motor yet but no doubt someone's working on it.