| The first electric wheelchair was developed in the | | | | individual pieces can be pretty heavy. This means that |
| early 1950's and by the 1960's the first mobility scooter | | | | you will probably need to install a scooter carrier onto |
| was introduced. The popularity of both of these | | | | your car. There are several types available that can |
| devices quickly grew and today people all over the | | | | be quickly installed and are cost effective. |
| world use personal mobility vehicles. There are a lot of | | | | While most scooters require a special vehicle lift to be |
| different models of scooters available today. Often | | | | transported, there is one special type of scooter that |
| they look completely different, but the all share some | | | | does not. Travel scooters can be taken apart easily |
| similar features and characteristics. By understanding | | | | and the pieces of the scooter are light enough that |
| these similarities, you can better understand the | | | | most people do not have problems picking them up |
| different models and make an educated purchasing | | | | and the heaviest piece of the scooter is often only |
| decision. | | | | twenty-five pounds. It is easy to place one of these |
| Before you begin shopping around for a scooter, it is | | | | scooters in the trunk of a car or to take it with you on |
| important to decide where you intend to use the | | | | vacation. These types of scooters tend to have |
| scooter and what you intend to use it for. You should | | | | fewer features though and they also usually can not |
| determine if you intend to use it indoors, outdoors, or | | | | support as much weight or travel over as far of |
| both. | | | | distances as other scooters do. Usually for everyday |
| If you are going to be using it outdoors, then you need | | | | use, most people prefer a traditional scooter, but travel |
| to consider the type of terrain you will mostly use it on. | | | | scooters are also very popular. |
| It is important to consider whether you will be driving it | | | | People who need to be able to travel over rough |
| on ground that is firm and packed or over loose soil | | | | ground or those that need a higher weight rating often |
| and sand. It can help if you make a list of all the areas | | | | go with a heavy duty scooter. Heavy duty scooters |
| you regularly go, so that you can determine what | | | | usually support around 500 pounds and are designed |
| types of terrain you will be driving on. | | | | with improved suspensions, dent resistant bumpers, |
| If you are mostly going to be using the scooter indoors, | | | | and larger wheels. They also sit up higher off of the |
| then a three wheeled scooter is often the best choice. | | | | ground, which also helps to make these scooters the |
| Three wheeled scooters are very maneuverable and | | | | better choice for outdoor use. These scooters are |
| this makes them great for indoor use. | | | | fairly large and have a larger turning radius than other |
| If you are primarily going to be using the scooter | | | | scooter, so they might not be the best choice for |
| outdoors, then a four wheeled scooter might be a | | | | indoor use. |
| better option. 4 wheeled scooters are not as | | | | Once you have an idea of where you intend to use |
| maneuverable, because they have a larger turning | | | | the scooter, you can narrow the types of scooters |
| radius, but they offer superior balance. This means | | | | available down and find one that will be suited to your |
| they will be more stable over rougher terrain and they | | | | needs. The next step is to compare the features, such |
| also tend to have a higher weight rating. | | | | as the range and top speed, to find one that is able to |
| It is a good idea to consider how often you intend to | | | | accommodate you. You should also consider other |
| use the scooter away from home. Most scooters are | | | | features like whether it has a lighting package or the |
| designed to be taken apart in several pieces, but the | | | | type of seat that is used on the scooter. |