Mobility scooters are becoming a popular mode of transportation for people who can’t walk, or who can’t walk very far, on their own. There are many different brands of scooters, such as Hoveround, Bladez, Pacesaver, Invacare, Pride and Guardian. There are also several types of scooters. So many, in fact, that it can be hard to figure out which one you need! Learn how to choose the best mobility scooter for you:
Basically, a mobility scooter is a motorized device that has a body/frame, a seat, two rear wheels, one or two front wheels and handlebars. Most scooters are powered by an electrical system with a rechargeable battery.
To choose the best scooter for you, you’ll first need to determine where you’ll ride it the most. If you can get around your house without the use of a scooter, but you need one for shopping trips and doing errands away from home, then a small “travel scooter” will suit you best. Travel scooters can be “broken down” or taken partially apart so they easily fit inside a trunk. They are made with lightweight materials too, for easy handling.
Even though a travel scooter is small, it can usually go approximately ten to twenty miles on a single charge.
Despite its many pros, one con of a travel mobility scooter is that, since it’s made to be light in weight, it doesn’t have a heavy duty suspension or a lot of padding in the seat. This means its ride won’t be as smooth or comfortable as a regular-sized scooter.
Three-wheeled mobility scooters are the best choice for people who need transportation inside their homes. The single front wheel gives this type of scooter a tighter turning ability. This feature makes it easier to steer around tight places inside a building. This type of scooter is also suitable for traveling on smooth outdoor surfaces such as concrete, pavement and the like.
For the most stable ride outside on rough, uneven terrain, choose a four-wheeled model. The fourth wheel, of course, adds stability so you won’t have to worry about tipping your scooter over when you’re riding over surfaces that aren’t smooth.
And if you’re an adventuresome soul who wants to get outside and travel on all types of terrain, then an “All Terrain Mobility Scooter” would suit you the best.
Travel scooters are in the small category, while the other varieties of scooters come in medium and large sizes. Medium-sized scooters offer their passengers more comfortable seating and can travel more miles between battery charges. They often sport larger wheels and have a higher speed range, usually up to somewhere around six miles an hour.
Large-sized mobility scooters naturally go the fastest, with the average top speed being around eight miles an hour. If this type of transportation device has the necessary lighting and other safety features installed on it, they can be street legal. This could be the right choice if you’re planning on traveling around town.
But, there is even more information to consider when you choose the best mobility scooter for you. The specific type of disability you have and your physical condition also will play a part in the choosing of a scooter.
Unfortunately, a scooter isn’t the right transportation for everyone. People who can’t sit erect for long periods of time, or who don’t have the dexterity or the strength to operate the controls can’t use mobility scooters.
When you call a manufacturer to find out information about a mobility scooter, the customer service representative will ask you questions about your disability. He or she isn’t prying. Instead, they need to determine if you can use a scooter. If so, they need to determine which type of their scooters will suit you the best.
Before you make that call, you should speak to your healthcare professional and talk to him/her about your needs. Your doctor can evaluate your situation and make the best recommendations.
