Which Scooter? Before deciding on whether a mobility scooter for you, you should realistically evaluate whether you will be reasonably capable of controlling the machine safely. Some important aspects to bear in mind about your own capabilities before buying a mobility scooter are: Can you turn your head to the left and right to check for pedestrians and traffic? Do you have sufficient hand grip to use the hand controls and pull the brake lever as needed? Are you able to retain your balance when on rougher terrain? Can you steer around obstacles? Can you easily judge distances needed for braking and steering while driving forward and backing up? Are you able to shift your body weight as necessary for going around corners and up and down hills? Do you have good levels of concentration regarding the environment around you? Can you react quickly in emergencies? Are you able to sit for long periods of time? Are you patient while in public? Can you remember safety procedures? Are you aware of your surroundings and where you live? Do you have good vision skills or wear corrective lenses that allow you to see all obstacles, traffic, and road signs.
If you do answer positively to the questions above, then a mobility scooter may well give you the independence to live a happy, fulfilled life. A mobility scooter can be really beneficial if you suffer from arthritis or circulation problems as well as other medical complaints. Mobility scooters are very easy to use, and despite all the various models and types to choose from, they all work in similar ways. You also may also consider your own size, shape, weight and any specific medical problems you may have. As mobility scooters have weight limits, so the larger the scooter the heavier the occupant it can accommodate. For some people seat position, suspension or the position of controls will be important factors. People with visual, perceptual or learning difficulties should seek medical advice because, as mobility scooter users, they will have responsibility for the safety of other road and pavement users. It is also very important to consider what the disabled scooter is going to be used for, and how often it is going to be used. For example, somebody purchasing a mobility scooter which will be used daily to replace a car has different needs to someone purchasing a mobility scooter that will be carried in the car and used primarily at weekends for travelling short distances. You also need to carefully consider your own environment and surroundings. For example you might live in a town where there are many kerbs to climb, or you might live in an area where there are many uneven surfaces to negotiate or hills to ascend. This will obviously have a bearing on the type of mobility scooter you choose and its capabilities. The main differences are the number of wheels (three or four), the maximum speed, and the size of the disabled scooter. Three wheel electric scooters are perfect for using indoors, especially if you need to spend time at home or go on short shopping trips. This is mainly due to the fact that they have a smaller turning circle than the equivalent four wheel model, which makes them easy to manoeuvre. There is very little difference in stability between three and four wheel scooters these days. Most mobility scooter manufacturers offer three and four wheel versions of the same model.
All mobility scooters have rechargeable batteries and depending on the model you will be able to travel in excess of 30 miles on one charge. The smaller boot scooters have a range of around 10-15 miles depending on the model. You can upgrade the battery to provide better performance, or request an additional battery pack that you can carry on the scooter so that you double the range of the electric scooter.
Like a car mobility scooters require a key to start them and are immobile without the key. This means you can leave your electric scooter outside a shop or house safely and securely, and prevents unauthorised use. You will also notice that scooters have a freewheel mode, which means the scooter to be moved, without the scooter being turned on. This is very helpful as it means you can store and transport your scooter really easily and can help you when the batteries are charging and it needs moving.
You can steer the mobility scooter by using the tiller which is similar to a bicycle or motorbike handlebar. You can adjust the tiller and depending on the model, you can often drop it down for transportation. Mobility scooters are driven using the thumb or fingers pushing or pulling a lever. Some models are driven by pushing the lever with the thumb, whilst others are driven by pulling the lever with the fingers, like a bicycle brake. A Delta handlebar means that both forward and reverse can be controlled using the same hand. This is fitted as standard on some disabled scooter models and available as an optional extra on others.
The speed you travel whilst using the mobility scooter is determined by the amount of pressure you put on the forward / reverse lever. You can check the speed your travelling by checking the speed dial on the control panel. When getting used to the electric scooter, it may be better to use a lower speed setting. On the road legal mobility scooters, there is usually a switch which lowers the maximum speed from 8mph to 4mph, which then allows the scooter to be used legally on a pavement.
Slowing down is simple as, you just need to release the forward or reverse lever which then brings the mobility scooter to a stop. Mobility scooters have regenerative brakes, which mean that the scooter can be left on a slope so you wont have to worry about it rolling away.
If you choose a Class 3, 8mph mobility scooter, then you will be selecting a road legal mobility scooter so you can travel on the road. legally, these have to be fitted with full lights and indicators. This type of electric scooter is larger and more luxurious than those designed to be dismantled and transported in a car boot. These disabled scooters are often purchased to replace a car, and so are much more powerful, and more rugged than a boot scooter. These disabled scooters usually have an adjustable and removable seat. The more luxurious seats recline and slide and some even have a headrest, like a car seat.
Boot scooters are very popular and are designed so you can easily transport them in your car and then taken apart in a matter of seconds. The seat and battery pack are really easy to remove, and sometimes the scooter chassis will separate into two parts. Depending on the model of mobility scooter you select, the components may have handles incorporated into them to make putting them into a car boot even easier. If you decide that you want to purchase a mobility scooter then you might find these helpful tips really helpful when you are out and about: DO: 1. Make sure that you can control the scooter before taking it out. 2. Keep the battery fully charged. 3. Watch out for children - they may run infront of you without warning 4. Be aware of elderly and the disabled who may not be able to move quickly out of the way 5. Give pedestrians priority on pavements and show consideration for other road users. 6. See and be seen, wear a fluorescent jacket or put reflective markings on the scooter, swithc on the light. 7.Install rear view mirrors on both sides to ensure the scooter has proper clearance on each side and behind the scooter. DO NOT: 1. Drive on busy roads and do not drive on the motorway. 2. Drink and drive and check medications which may cause drowsiness. 3. Carry another person on the scooter. 4. Carry or walk a pet while operating the scooter. 5. Wear loose fitting clothing which could get caught in the wheels. 6. Overload the scooter or hang shopping from the handlebars. 7. Brake on an incline as that increases the scooter's risk of tipping.
Author Resource:-
Carlyh Tunertones was recently given the task of buying and choosing from a wide range of Mobility scooters for a relative, she now shares her advice and passes on helpful tips to others so that they can benefit from her experiences with this Mobility scooter shop.
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