| Twenty years ago the only affordable option for | | | | parked up if the owner wants to take a walk or |
| anyone losing their mobility was to buy a wheelchair, | | | | wonder around a shop on foot. |
| but times have moved on and mobility scooters are | | | | Modern mobility scooters can carry combined weights |
| now affordable and even stylish. | | | | (i.e. the driver and any baggage) of up to 400 pounds |
| Aside from price, the biggest barrier to owning a | | | | (30 stone). Nearly all have baskets or baggage areas |
| mobility vehicle used to be its driving range which was | | | | making them ideal for carrying shopping and the seats |
| severely limited. However, modern scooters can travel | | | | are padded and comfortable. |
| as far as 25 miles on a single battery charge making | | | | Mobility scooter versatility |
| them far more versatile than an electric wheelchair. | | | | Aside from the very obvious differences and |
| So why might you think about buying a mobility | | | | advantages that mobility scooters have over |
| vehicle? | | | | wheelchairs, some of them can also be used on a |
| Not surprisingly a mobility scooter is an obvious | | | | road or public highway. |
| alternative for someone who, through injury or a | | | | Legal regulations and restrictions differ around the |
| physical restriction, is confined to a wheelchair. | | | | world, but as an example, in the UK a class 3 mobility |
| However, the biggest Market for these scooters is not | | | | scooter can have a speed limit of up to 8 mph and, |
| from former wheelchair users, but rather from those | | | | with a tax disk, can be used on public highways. |
| of advancing years or those with a weight and size | | | | Because scooters are designed to be narrow and |
| problem that limits their mobility. | | | | maneuverable they can fit between supermarket |
| For the older person a mobility scooter can take over | | | | aisles and will pass through most doorways. This |
| the walk to the shop, or a visit to a friend. Once at the | | | | means that there are very few areas where a typical |
| destination the rider can then dismount and walk | | | | mobility scooter has access problems. |
| around a store or a friend's home on foot. | | | | Scooters can climb up steep hills and their powerful |
| When used in this way a mobility vehicle actually | | | | electric engines enable them to keep up with fast |
| promotes health and exercise by removing distance | | | | moving pedestrians in an effortless manner. |
| barriers and opening up travel options. Using a scooter | | | | Running a mobility scooter |
| in this way actually increases the amount of time a | | | | Modern scooters are efficient and reliable to own, but |
| mobility restricted person spends outside their home | | | | like all vehicles they require an annual check to make |
| and encourages them to spend more time outdoors. | | | | sure that everything is working as it should. |
| For those with mobility restricting weight problems a | | | | Whenever possible they should be stored indoors |
| scooter can remove the constraint of having to stay | | | | when not in use, kept clean and free of mud and dirt, |
| close to the home for fear of becoming out of breath | | | | and battery charging recommendations should always |
| or exhausted. A vehicle of this type makes getting | | | | be followed. |
| around easy and worry free and it can always be | | | | |