Getting diagnosed with a mobility impairment can feel like your whole world has come crashing down on you. But thanks to mobility scooters, it’s possible to pursue a life of total freedom despite living with a mobility disorder.
Mobility scooters let you enjoy a fulfilling life pretty much like regular people. You can hop onto these motorcycles to run important errands, commute to work, and even go on a day picnic in your local town.
However, it’s important to familiarize yourself with various aspects of mobility scooters before investing in these automobiles.
Below are some intriguing mobility scooter facts you probably didn’t know about.
1. Mobility Scooters Are a Step Up From Unpowered Wheelchairs
Mobility scooters provide unparalleled freedom and independence, starkly contrasting with traditional wheelchairs.
The fact that mobility scooters are motorized eliminates the need for manual strength in steering or propelling them. Besides, these motorcycles can cover a wider distance and reach higher speeds than unpowered wheelchairs.
Just ensure you invest in a mobility scooter from a renowned brand.
Pride has a scooter for every user. You can select between lighter and heavier options, depending on your needs. A Pride scooter also comes with all the nifty features you’d want in mobility scooters, including an interactive joystick, flexible turning radius, and variable speed limits.
2. Mobility Scooters Often Rank Alongside Powered Wheelchairs
Although mobility scooters are a game changer for users who can no longer maneuver manual wheelchairs, the scooters are often ranked alongside powered wheelchairs in overall efficiency. So, it’s essential to compare the benefits and drawbacks of both options before choosing your pick.
For instance, mobility scooters come in multiple sizes compared to powered wheelchairs. You can find incredibly small and compact scooters for easy storage and transportation.
However, what electric wheelchairs lack in size, they make up for in their remarkable turning radius. A smaller turning radius means hassle-free navigation through narrow pathways.
3. Mobility Scooters Are Designed For Different Mobility Types
Not all mobility aids are ideal for persons with mobility impairment. For instance, you can only get so far with crutches or walking frames.
Fortunately, mobility scooters were invented to address different physical disabilities.
Whether your impairment is due to debilitating disease like osteoarthritis or old age, you can trust these powered motorcycles to deliver.
4. Number of Wheels Impacts Stability and Flexibility
Mobility scooters come in three-wheel and four-wheel varieties. Each option can be ideal, depending on your requirements.
Three-wheel mobility scooters have a smaller turning radius. As such, they’re more navigable through crowded spaces and narrow alleyways.
However, the lack of an extra wheel makes three-wheel scooters less stable than their four-wheel counterparts. Due to their superior stability, most four-wheelers are excellent for outdoor use.
5. There’s A Scooter for Different Riding Environments
Not every mobility scooter is suitable for indoor or outdoor usage. If you’re looking for a scooter to move around your home or within a gated community, consider those with smaller wheels and a tighter turning radius.
For outdoor usage, heavier models would serve you best. It’s even better if the scooter features larger, pneumatic wheels.
Larger wheels translate to a higher ground clearance, ensuring a smooth ride over roadway pitfalls like bumps and potholes.
6. There Are Regulations to Adhere To
Nearly all powered mobility aids are subject to different regulations worldwide. You simply can’t hop into your mobility scooter and hit the freeways.
Therefore, familiarize yourself with local scooter laws before riding your mobility scooter.
Understand whether scooters are road-legal in your jurisdiction or restricted to pavements. Also, pay attention to any speed limit regulations.
7. There’s A Size for Everyone
The ideal mobility scooter size depends on your desired convenience.
Smaller scooters are excellent for traveling, as they can be folded and transported in the trunk. However, such scooters are only suitable for riding indoors.
While larger mobility scooters can pose a challenge regarding storage and transportation, they’re a better option for outdoor riding. Larger models also typically have higher speeds, allowing them to cover longer distances faster.
8. Small Doesn’t Always Mean Light
Smaller mobility scooters tend to be considerably lighter. But this isn’t always the case.
So, it’s essential to consider size and weight independently while shopping for mobility scooters.
Small to mid-range mobility scooters weigh around 250 – 350 pounds. For comparison, heavy-duty models can weigh up to 500 pounds.
The trick is to choose a scooter that can safely accommodate your weight plus any extra luggage. While higher weight limits may sound attractive, heavier scooters can be annoyingly challenging to maneuver.
9. You Can’t Drive Recklessly
Mobility scooters are designed to help you easily get around, not compete in road races.
While some full-sized models can hit top speeds of 6.2 miles per hour (mph), keeping to the recommended speed limit of 3.7 mph is best.
Riding a mobility scooter responsibly can help minimize scooter accidents, especially in crowded spaces.
10. You Can’t Let Your Guard Down Either
Driving at low speeds isn’t the only safety precaution when using mobility scooters in crowded areas.
To avoid crashing into clumsy road users, you’ll need to always maintain situational awareness.
Proactively scan your vicinity for any pitfalls. Whether it’s kids playing by the roadside or crowds milling around at a circus performance, anticipating their next move can be critical in avoiding undue accidents.
11. Sloppy Terrain Can Make or Break Your Scooter Experience
We’ve already highlighted the significance of choosing large-wheeled mobility scooters for outdoor riding.
But if you live in a somewhat hilly neighborhood or contend with steep slopes on your daily commutes to work, you’ll require a mobility scooter with a larger incline angle.
Aim for 6 – 12 degrees. Some heavier models can incline up to 15 degrees, allowing you to safely navigate treacherous slopes.
12. Don’t Forget the Battery
Most mobility scooters are battery-powered, utilizing Lithium-ion or Lead-acid batteries.
Lithium-ion excels over lead-acid battery in its extended runtime. However, lead-acid batteries are generally more durable in the long run.
Whichever option you prefer, choose a fast-charging scooter battery with a more extended range (at least 10 hours).
Wrap Up
Buying a mobility scooter means adjusting to a new lifestyle. But while these motorcycles can increase the freedom and quality of life for persons with mobility impairment, it’s imperative to define your requirements before hitting a scooter dealership.
It’s also best to understand how mobility scooters operate to avoid unpleasant surprises on the road. Begin with fundamental facts like a scooter’s size and recommended riding environment, then delve into more complex aspects like its turning radius and incline angle.