Burner seeks to bring limited mobility parent to the Playa..

[caveatlector]

Hi all,

I was hoping I could get some advice from folks who might have dealt with mobility challenges on the Playa.

I have a parent who's dealing with a long-term injury to his foot, and is supposed to stay away from walking as much as possible. He's heard me talking about Burning Man enough that he's hoping to go this year but has valid concerns about how he would get around.

Are there people who have successfully dealt with this kind of challenge? He's a big guy, so putting him on a bike is not a good call. Golf cart? ATV? AT-AT? I'd love to see my parents make it to a Burn, but I'm not going to send them into the desert without a game plan for them to see as much as possible.

Thanks!

Joshua

[jkisha]

If your parent has a state issued disability permit, you can bring a golf cart and apply for a handicapped license with BMORG so they can legally drive it at Burning Man.

[motskyroonmatick]

I've brought my golf cart to the playa for 4 years to be used by alter able people. It works very well. Registration is easy but you have to register a placard number that will be valid at the burn. Make sure the placard number does not expire between registering for the disabled vehicle license and getting to the playa. Keep very good track of the paperwork and bring 2 copies with you to the burn. I like to keep one in my glove box with my ticket and other paperwork. The other one I place on the golf cart.

Go for it. It is a good time of year to buy a cart. They only get more expensive as spring approaches.

[Savannah]

Joshua, you're a good son! Here's a link. There will be deadlines for this stuff, so stay on top of it . . . .

Vehicle Licensing and Criteria for People with Disabilities
http://www.burningman.com/on_the_playa/ ... enses.html

And a cool thread about golf carts.
Gas golf/utility cart: considerations for bringing to playa?
viewtopic.php?f=286&t=53033

[unjonharley]

My mechanic said use Harley golf carts are junk.. The electronics go out all the time.

[Savannah]

Luckily, Harley is not one of the recommended brands in the second link.

[moonrise]

I spoke to someone with a rented golfcart on playa in 2011. He told me he rented it somewhere near Sacramento, for a gooood price I might add (the gal in charge gave him a BIG dsicount, 1/2 off?? I think because it was a week or longer rental) I wish I could recall what he paid, but I remember it was not bad, considering...
I also think the recession is causing them to ease up on rental pricing. The guy on the rented golfcart told me he did NOT mention burning man. He said he was using the cart for golf somewhere in Northern California. I think it came with a trailer (or rent a decent open utility trailer from u-haul and don't mention burning man to u-haul)

If you must buy, the thread Savannah linked in her post is full of good info.

[gyre]

Any vehicle can be used with the disability permit, but smaller is easier.

Be sure to light up whatever you bring.

An electric trike might be an option.

There are bikes made for large people.
Check those out, like the Surly (good for anyone on the playa really).

If a bike works, a vehicle can be used for long transits, then back to the bike, using a carrier.

[phil]

Louise broker her leg at a Cyber Buss party years ago, and I rented a go-kart for her at some local store that rented them. Ran on gas, so no problem with charging batteries. We bungeed her crutches to the roll cage, and off she'd go.

Keep in mind that your dad has to be able to use the pedals. Which foot is the problem, and which one will he need to operate the cart or whatever you choose?

[gyre]

Be sure to emphasize how difficult driving in the city is.

It is all essentially a 360 degree environment, very different from normal driving.

He may be expected to prove he can safely handle any vehicle brought.

[Ugly Dougly]

Harley-Davidson golfcart? Eh, now that sends a mixed message.

Get yer motor humming. Head out on the fairway...

[gyre]

Get a harley
Buy the best
Ride a mile
Walk the rest...

[motskyroonmatick]

My golf cart has a hand control for throttle and brake. If you are handy and have a welder friend it would be relatively easy to put one on an owned golf cart. If you want pictures of the assembly just PM me. It is especially useful for one handed driving if you have the passenger run the hand control.

[theCryptofishist]

You ought to be able to buy one, "they" do make hand controls.

[Savannah]

My golf cart has a hand control for throttle and brake. If you are handy and have a welder friend it would be relatively easy to put one on an owned golf cart. If you want pictures of the assembly just PM me. It is especially useful for one handed driving if you have the passenger run the hand control.

What kind of deranged freak lets a wild-eyed passenger like me control the throttle?

You ought to be able to buy one, "they" do make hand controls.

Excellent point. Although if caveatlector must buy Used, Motskyroonmatick's hacks are invaluable.

[moonrise]

I drove Golficus Carticus, the cart Motz refers to. The hand controls are simple and fun to use.

You do not have to prove you can drive gyre; you're only required to drive up to BRC DMV with proper lights and paperwork.

If you are in the vehicle, you are allowed to have a designated driver.

No drinking and no open containers are allowed while driving, or parked with key in ignition (pull the key out if someone has a beer while sitting parked!) same DUI/DWI laws apply, it's federal land/law.

Gyre is correct, it is 360 degree driving, especially on inner city crowded streets...bikes and pedestrians get right of way, many are tired or contending with bumpy, dutsy raods. Give them a break and try to drive 5mph or LESS!! (keeps the dust down) I also found it best to give right of way the the HUGE Mutant Vehicles (or get squashed!)

One night, after a BIG BURN (Trojan Horse) we lost sight of the cart for a few hours! When we walked back to there we "thought" the cart was, everything had "moved" (following the excitement of the horse burn) and the cart blended into the new mix of sights. Eventually, by the time the GIANT wheels were falling off the Trojan Horse , we spotted the cart in a sea of lights, burners and mobile art (and off we went to our next adventure...) I can't wait for the next burn

[gyre]

People have different issues and abilities.

If there is any doubt, you could be asked to prove you can handle any vehicle you bring to drive.
Yes, someone else can drive you.

The environment is challenging at best, for anyone.

This is more of an issue with larger or more difficult vehicles, but might be relevant to one's issues.

There are plenty of people with no physical limitations, that are unsuited to driving in such difficult traffic as the slowest vehicle on the street.
Many avoid the city driving completely.
Typically walking is faster.

The pedestrians are not bright.
You may actually have people run into the side of your vehicle.

More than standard dui laws apply - No alcohol at all for a driver.
Zero.
0.00 blood alcohol.

Visibility at night is particularly bad sometimes.

It can be done safely, but it is not an easy place to drive.
Worth it though.

[moonrise]

Yah gyre, that's all true. I'm a non-drinker, the 0.00 alcohol in your blood stream must be a federal law? or Nevada law? I choose mobility over drinking, I might have a night cap, once parked for the night.

The golfcarts I've driven had the windshields removed, they collect dust like a magnet day/night. Easy to remove and pop back on (usually after the burn) I've only seen a few golfcarts with windshields on, total dust magnets, makes night driving much, much more difficult.

[caveatlector]

Thank you all for the helpful replies. I've forwarded what was mentioned here to my folks and they seem very excited about the prospect of going now.

I owe ya all a drink or three.

Joshua

[motskyroonmatick]

My golf cart has a hand control for throttle and brake. If you are handy and have a welder friend it would be relatively easy to put one on an owned golf cart. If you want pictures of the assembly just PM me. It is especially useful for one handed driving if you have the passenger run the hand control.

What kind of deranged freak lets a wild-eyed passenger like me control the throttle?

You ought to be able to buy one, "they" do make hand controls.

Excellent point. Although if caveatlector must buy Used, Motskyroonmatick's hacks are invaluable.

Your graduating to steering this year Savannah!

[Savannah]

Noooooooo. You're all gonna die!

[Playa+Tom]

Of course there is a theme camp, Black Rock City Department of Mobility. They have a camp near Center Camp and have various activities such as art tours on accessable art cars.