does it adversely affect my rider mower if I accelerate/decelerate using ?

If this is a hydrostatic gearbox, there is no problem using the lever to increase or decrease the forward speed ( no need to reduce engine rpm ) obviously do not go straight into reverse after moving forward at speed. With a manual gearbox a gear should be selected then pull away, under no curcumstances should you select gears whilst the mower is moving

Husqvarna man
June 2010

Your marital status and your sex are of no significance - neither does it matter on which side of the machine the gear lever is located.

It is always better to use the throttle to control speed - just try to imagine what would be happening inside the machine if you went directly from fast forward to fast reverse.

Trust your neighbour - whoes sex is also of no significance.

Peccavi (married male)
June 2010