I, too, live in a village and have used class 2 scooters in the past. If there aren't any footpaths to go on then we have to use the roads/lanes, I used the roads when I have to and get back on the footpath as quickly as I can. Although my new scooter does 6mph I still use the same principle regarding footpaths and roads, I do keep well into the gutter when on the road/lane and only cross the road when it is totally clear. Like others I also walk my dog at the nearside of my scooter, so if anyone gets hit it will be me first