The Mobility Scooter Guide

A mobility scooter, or adult scooter, is used by people who have trouble walking. It allows them to freely and easily move around. Depending on the unit, some mobility scooters can travel much faster than a person could walk or run. This makes getting around much easier, but it is very important to ensure that you are very careful when using your mobility scooter.

While driving your mobility scooter it is imperative to be especially careful when crossing or driving on the road. Most commercially available mobility scooters are not street legal. Different states have different definitions of what is required to be street legal, but it typically requires that the vehicle include specific lighting and safety features and be licensed and registered with the state. Since most mobility scooters are not street legal, you can typically not drive it on state maintained roads. You should consult your state regulations before attempting to drive your mobility scooter on a road.

Not only can it be illegal to drive your mobility scooter on a state road, it can also be very unsafe. This is because it is much harder to see someone that is on a mobility scooter. A safety flag is a good investment; this is especially true if you will be using your mobility scooter frequently around vehicles. Safety flags improve your visibility to others and attach to your mobility scooter easily. Not only do safety flags make it much easier for people in cars and trucks to see you, but they also make it much easier to maintain contact when traveling in crowds. Since mobility scooters sit so low to the ground it can be easy to get separated from your family or loved ones in crowded areas. A safety flag will make it much easier for them to keep you in sight.

Another way to ensure that you maintain your safety is to avoid placing yourself in situations where you might tip over your mobility scooter. Mobility scooters are designed to be able to traverse small curbs and embankments. It is important to not try to climb over too high a curve though, because you risk tipping over. Your owner’s manual will have information describing the maximum curb or embankment that your unit can climb. It is far better to avoid obstacles whenever possible, but if you must navigate a curb or small embankment make sure you meet it head on. A quality mobility scooter will have a set of anti-tip wheels in the back that in normal conditions will help prevent the unit from tipping over backwards. If you attempt to cross a curb at an angle this will negate the effect of the anti-tip wheels.

A mobility scooter can be a powerful device that can restore independence and allow you to move around freely without assistance, but when used improperly or placed in unsafe situations, they can be very dangerous. Always take extra care around roads and intersections, use a safety flag to improve visibility, and take care when attempting to navigate curbs or other obstacles.

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If you suffer from arthritis, are older, or have mobility related disabilities then it can often times be very hard to get around. Something as simple as going to the grocery store can be very painful and leave you so exhausted that you can barely drive home. A mobility scooter can help you restore your independence and mobility. There are many different types and models of mobility scooters available on the market, and it can at times seem overwhelming. It doesn’t have to though. Buying the right mobility scooter is very important, but once you know a little bit about the different types of mobility scooters the choice is actually very easy.

If you haven’t already read it check out my article titled "What Type of Mobility Scooter is Right for You." It explains the difference between travel scooters and the more traditional style of mobility scooter.

Like most things, if you understand a little bit about mobility scooters it is much easier to make a good choice when it comes to buy one. Mobility scooters usually come in either 3-wheel or 4-wheel designs. There are advantages and disadvantages to both types and many fine scooters are available in both designs.

The main advantage to 3-wheeled mobility scooters is a decreased turn radius. Of course there are exceptions to the rule, but most of the time 3-wheeled mobility scooters can turn in about 30% less space than a 4-wheel mobility scooter. This makes it ideal for maneuvering around furniture, in areas where there are many obstacles close together, and in areas where there are a lot of people. The Ameriglide Lite, a very dependable and reliable mobility scooter, has a turn radius of only 31 inches. 3-wheel mobility scooters usually weigh less than 4-wheel mobility scooters, so usually travel scooters are 3-wheeled.

4-wheeled mobility scooters offer increased stability, better balance, and normally support more weight than 3-wheeled mobility scooters. This is because 4-wheeled scooters are by and large wider front wheel base and this helps to spread the overall weight out evenly between the front and the back. If you are a heavier person or are extremely tall then a 4-wheeled scooter is probably best for you. Since 4-wheeled scooters have better stability and balance, they are also better suited for the outdoors. As with anything there are of course exceptions to the rule. A company called Shoprider makes several models that have a very small turn radius of about 37 inches. They achieve this by putting the front wheels very close together and while they are very good scooters, they will not have the same stability as something with a wider wheel base. These types of units with a very small wheel base offer more stability than a 3-wheel scooter, but they offer significantly less stability than that of something like the Pride Go-Go Elite.

Remember to asses you needs honestly and openly before you purchase a scooter. There are many quality mobility scooters available in 4-wheel and 3-wheel design, so finding one to fit your needs is never an issue.

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