Amusement Park Hit With Body-Shaming Backlash After Installing Scales To Weigh Riders

An amusement park in Perth, Australia was accused of body-shaming its guests after they imposed weight restrictions on some of the rides.

Scales for weighing park guests were placed in front of certain park attractions as part of a new safety measure at Adventure World at Bibra Lake, and some children were seen being weighed and not being permitted to ride.

The new regulation was met with mostly negative responses on social media.

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According to 7 News, the "self-serve" weigh-in stations were placed near rides with weight limitations for guests to "self-assess" before lining up.

If the electronic scale flashes a green light, the rider is "approved to ride." However, if the light flashes red, they are barred from joining the queue to ride.

Each scale is marked by a sign that reads, "Please check to avoid dissapointment [sic]"

Regular visitors were appalled by Adventure World's new safety measure.

One mother told the news outlet it was "shameful" after her daughter was rejected from a ride in front of her friends.

"The park doesn't cater to us anymore, we went last year and I was able to go on those rides with my kids no issue, and this year, we have red lights flashing in our faces saying no you can't do this."

Another disappointed mother said while her daughter was within the average weight limit for one ride, she still experienced "public humiliation and body shaming."

She added:
 

"She even mentioned the anxious wait on the scales for the red light or green light."

"Not a nice way to feel and could be detrimental to mental health for some."

Few people, however, understood why the measure was necessary.

However, one patron argued the inherent problem was not the implementation of the measure to better adhere to the manufacturer's safety requirements, but how it was enforced.

"(It's) the fact that your weight is broadcast to all within visual distance as a light flashes green or red and if it's inconclusive, the operator announces the precise weight within earshot of people surrounding the area."

"They're not being discreet at all," they said.

In response to the backlash, an amendment was made on the Adventure World website to indicate the collective weight limit by the number of riders instead of listing an individual weight requirement.

For example, the Abyss rollercoaster was previously listed on the website by the weight limit of 75 kg [165 lbs] per rider but has now been modified to reflect 600 kg [1,322 lbs] across eight riders - which is an average of 75 kg per rider.

A spokesperson for Adventure World responded to angry comments online and cleared up any confusion with the following statement.

"As long a rider's safety restraint harness achieves the fully closed position and they meet the other safety requirements, then riders above 75 kg [around 165 lbs] can ride."

Adventure World Chief Executive Officer Andrew Sharry also weighed in with a statement to The West Australian.

"We take our direction from our various ride manufacturer's safety specifications," said Sharry.

"There have been no changes to, nor introduction this season of a new rider weight safety requirements for any of our rides, slides or attractions."

He added the new measure "brings us in line with almost all other water parks in the country" and that the park was "not alone in implementing such a system."