| Guide on how mobility scooters work. | | | | controller. Pavement/Road Switch |
| The mobility scooter in a way is like a motor bike or | | | | On some of the larger models there is a switch which |
| bicycle, there are handles to steer with, a place to sit | | | | is to reduce the speed as you are only supposed to |
| and in general the mobility scooter will re-act like a | | | | go at 4mph on the pavements and only switch over to |
| bicycle. | | | | the 6-8mph when on the road. |
| The Tiller | | | | Brakes |
| The tiller is the main upright strut which is used to steer | | | | You make a mobility scooter stop by doing nothing. As |
| the mobility scooter like a motor bike. The tiller is | | | | soon as you stop pressing the wigwag, the brakes |
| adjustable moving towards or away from the seat for | | | | automatically activate and bring the scooter to a gentle |
| comfort so that the user can more easily steer the | | | | stop. This is called passive braking, and it works even if |
| mobility scooter. | | | | all the power to the electric scooter is cut off. It is the |
| The Controls | | | | safest braking system possible and will stop the |
| The key | | | | mobility scooter even on a steep hill. |
| The main control of the mobility scooter is the key; this | | | | Some scooters will also come with an emergency |
| must be switched on before the scooter will operate | | | | brake (most class three scooters have this) |
| at all. | | | | Freewheel lever |
| If when you switch on the mobility scooter it starts to | | | | Each scooter will come with a freewheel lever to |
| beep, check that the scooter is not in free-wheel | | | | permit easy rolling of the scooter when there is no |
| mode. If the scooter is, then put the mobility scooter | | | | power; this helps if you wish to push the scooter into a |
| into drive mode and turn on the machine again. | | | | corner or down a narrow passage. This is generally |
| Accelerating/Reversing lever | | | | found at the back of the scooter and should be |
| If you look at the handles of the mobility scooter | | | | demonstrated by your scooter dealer. |
| nearby you will see two teaspoon shaped paddles. | | | | The seat |
| These are the levers to make the mobility scooter go | | | | Some people may find it more difficult to transfer to |
| forward and backwards, sometimes these are called | | | | the mobility scooter than into a wheelchair, particularly if |
| wig-wag paddles operating the levers with your | | | | it has a fixed seat, but there are features which should |
| thumbs will make the scooter go backwards and | | | | be looked for: |
| forwards. Note the mobility scooter will beep as you | | | | A 180° swivel seat so it can be turned for ease |
| go backwards to warn others of your manoeuvre. | | | | of transfer but make sure that you can swivel the |
| (Each of the levers can operate the mobility scooter | | | | chair back to the "driving position". |
| forwards and backwards, so if you only have the use | | | | That the tiller adjusts. |
| of one hand this will present no problem). | | | | The scooter seat height is adjustable. |
| Speed control | | | | Arm rests that can be moved out of the way. |
| When you push the lever in just a little you move very | | | | Lights and indicators |
| slowly, push in more and you go faster. More | | | | Lights are not essential but at night are a safety |
| importantly there is also a speed control dial which | | | | feature and a flashing light is necessary if you travel |
| allows you to dictate the speed you wish to travel at | | | | on the road, or a white light at the front and a red on |
| and the paddles cannot make the scooter go any | | | | the back. |
| faster until you increase the speed on the speed | | | | |