Mobility Scooter Guide

Check out our 2020 Mobility Scooter Catalog

Mobility scooters have improved the lives of millions of people with disabilities and health problems. Besides, these scooters have become an increasingly popular mobility aid. They are a common sight in shopping centers and on pavements. Furthermore, their functionality and battery life has improved.

Most mobility scooters are affordable. They vary from smaller models that can fit in your car's boot to heavy-duty mobility scooters that can climb steep hills. Heavy-duty models can travel lengths of up to 50 km on a single charge. 

There are a few things to consider if you're considering a versatility scooter for yourself or a loved one. This Mobility Scooter guide discusses some questions to ask yourself before choosing a scooter. Additionally, the guide will list the various types of mobility scooters and the functionality to help you find the right scooter.

What is a Mobility Scooter and is it right for you?

Do you always need help when traveling far distances? Don’t worry because you can use a mobility scooter is a tool that helps you to achieve a substantial level of independence. Plus, any elderly or disabled individual can use it to combat the health implication and social isolation. Your involvement in daily activities and excursions becomes simpler with a mobility scooter. You won’t need a high-level preparation to ride it to the stores or to meet a friend for coffee. Just enter the scooter and you're off.

Simply put, mobility scooters are designed for people who are agile enough to drive a small vehicle. Such people often have difficulty walking long distances because of an impairment or a health problem.

There are many causes why you may want to use a mobility scooter, or not to use it, and it ultimately results in a personal or family choice.

A mobility scooter may help replace a motor vehicle for people who have trouble walking. When it comes to road safety this can be an issue. You need a level of confidence and ability to operate a mobility scooter. But, the ease of use and low speeds presents less of a hazard to the user and others, than a car.

You may also use a mobility scooter along with other forms of transport. For example, the folding mobility scooters can fit into your car's boot. So, you can take it out for use around a shopping center or for short trips where it may not make sense to use a car.

Mobility scooters can also provide temporary help to someone suffering from an accident or operation. This helps such a person to remain independent while not being fatigued with unnecessary physical activity.

Major types of mobility scooters

Today's market includes at least three types of mobility scooters for the disabled and elderly. These scooter models include; 

• Small mobility scooters
• Mid-sized mobility scooters
• Heavy-duty mobility scooters

Let’s look at each of these models of scooters in detail.

The Small Mobility Scooters

The small mobility scooters can move up to 20km on a single charge. A compact scooter is perfect if you want something to move around within and which can fit it in the back of your car.

Small mobility scooters have a smaller turning wheel that is convenient to maneuver around a crowded shopping center. Most of this size’s versions fold-down or are quickly removed so you can place them in the boot. Often, they may be easier to take as checked baggage on holidays.

For example, a smaller size implies a smaller battery and less range per charge; it can move only up to 20 km. Plus, the small wheels, sliding on uneven ground, may render these less stable, and they may lack the power required to climb steep hills.

The small mobility scooters often include the following features;

• Front basket for shopping
• Easy to disassemble or take apart for transport
• LED rear and front lights for visibility
• Small size for moving through crowded areas
• Removable battery for travel
• The basic suspension offers a smooth ride

The Mid-Sized Mobility Scooter

A mid-sized mobility scooter can travel for about 20-40km on a single charge. These medium scooters provide you with the ease of using a bigger scooter with the extra power for negotiating slight inclines and rough obstacles. This is perfect if you are looking to do a lot of local visits, like to the nearby shops or a friend's house.

In comparison, medium-sized scooters may be the best option if you plan to use them on public transport. Although requirements differ, you should usually be able to take your accessibility scooter with you on wheelchair usable public transportation.

The Mid-sized mobility scooters often include the following features;

• Rearview mirrors for extra safety
• Puncture-proof, knobby tires for more grip outdoors
• Padded seat including headrests and armrests
• LED front tail light, indicators, and headlight for visibility
• Basic suspension for a comfortable ride
• Front basket for shopping

The Heavy-Duty Mobility Scooters

This mobility scooter can move from 25km to 50km on a single charge. Wide or heavy-duty scooters are better suited for managing difficult terrain and long distances. Due to the pneumatic rubber wheels and braces, you will be having a smoother ride. Models do appear to have more comfortable seats in this series, including padded armrests and headrests. 

The heavy-duty mobility scooters often include the following features;

• Ability to add additional storage and accessories
• Pneumatic tires for a smoother ride over uneven terrain
• Large front basket for shopping
• Deluxe padded high-top seat
• Full lighting system including LED headlight, indicators, taillights, and curb light.
• The Hydraulic braking system for more control

What type of scooter do you need?

Before you go picking a scooter, an important question to consider is what you need it?

The variety of mobility scooters in today's market makes it easier to find a model that suits your needs, specifications, and budget. The wide selection can of course also make it a little easier to find out what's right for you.

Would you like a little scooter to help you get inside at home or in the shopping center? Or do you plan to use it to visit the local shops and around the house of your friend? Or, do you need something more durable that will take the place of a vehicle to travel past your neighborhood to specific appointments and locations?

When choosing the ideal mobility scooter, consider the place you live, and the landscape around that area. In this case, a tiny scooter will quickly follow straight, level roads. However, if you reside in a hilly area or somewhere with uneven ground, you'll need something a little stronger to avoid being left stuck.

Assessing your own physical attributes is critical too. The smaller the scooter, the narrower bench, and the footbed. If you've got a large frame or are tall, you'll definitely need something a bit bigger to hold you well. Review the various types of scooters below to learn more about each of these versions. 

Do you need a 3 wheel scooter or a 4 wheel mobility scooter?

3 wheel scooters move with their 3 tires while the 4 wheel scooters use 4 wheels to move. Let compare both kinds of scooters for the disabled individuals below. 

A Three Wheel Versatility Scooter is the best choice if you need a lightweight, easily maneuverable scooter. A Three Wheel Scooter takes less space to change and thus allows a little more scope for the legs than other versions.3 Wheel scooters are among the popular safety scooters that support individuals with special needs and can be stored comfortably in the trunk of a vehicle.

3-Wheeled Scooters are ideal if you’re after:

• An excellent value
• Compact transportability
• Low maintenance scooter
• Minimal transport pieces
• Speeds of 5 mph or less
• Best indoor maneuverability
• Battery range greater up to 9 miles

If you have difficulty standing on three wheels, Four Wheel Stability Scooters are the best choice. A 4 wheel scooter is probably the better choice for you because it offers more traction. Moreover, a 4 wheel scooter is also fitted with a larger and more efficient engine, making it ideal to travel longer distances or traverse steep hills. Unless you primarily want to ride the scooter outside, aFour Wheel Scooter is ideal.

4-Wheeled Scooters are ideal if you require:

• Use it in large indoor environments
• Indoor and outdoor versatility
• Ability to travel longer distances
• Best performance on outdoor terrain
• Battery range of 10 to 20 miles (varies by model)
• Speeds over 5 mph

Choosing the ideal mobility scooter

When investing in a mobility scooter, or any assistance help, the most important thing to remember is whether you are confident enough to use it as expected. While a mobility scooter can help you to get around without unnecessary physical effort, you need to be able to get off and on the scooter without assistance. Also, you should be able to operate it in a manner that is comfortable for you and other road users or pedestrians.

Chatting with your occupational therapist about your desire to use a scooter is a good idea as a first approach. Such a specialist can help you understand the physical conditions and explore how to get the most out of it as you get on with your day.

To accomplish the things you desire, such as visiting your family or heading to the shops, you must have the necessary skills to drive it safely. In this case, safety includes having the ability to;

• balance when traveling on uneven ground or a slope
• operate the hand controls and turn right and left 
• turn your head to look for pedestrians and traffic
• concentrate for the duration of your trip 
• See and hear well to be aware of your surroundings
• react confidently and quickly in uncertain situations

You'll still need to be able to get in and out of the scooter without intervention, and travel short walks without support or with a walking aid.

Whether you're searching for a folding scooter or a compact scooter that's collapsing, do think if you're going to be able to get it into a vehicle or if you're going to require assistance (and whether they will pick it up).

Check out our 2020 Mobility Scooter Catalog