What Is A Mobility Scooter?

Some may be wondering what a mobility scooter really is, and how it functions. A mobility scooter is a small scooter type vehicle designed to help people get around both inside and outside. Mobility scooters have, and continue to help many people with walking disabilities get around, continue to enjoy the outdoors and accomplish their daily activities. These daily activities can range from grocery shopping, meeting friends at a nearby park and navigating large stores, or even just helping you get around in your own home. Mobility scooters can come in both 3 and 4 wheel versions. Mobility scooters come with multiple seating options as well as many different accessories that can be added to the scooter such as front baskets, headlights, taillights, mirrors, and even walker and cane holders.

Most if not all mobility scooters today run off of batteries that usually have a long life of around 18 months. It depends on the type of battery however, and the length between recharge times on the batteries will depend on the scooter model. Mobility scooters all have a tiller steering mechanism. This is going to be a front handlebar design that lets you turn the handlebars in the direction you want to go. On or near the handlebars, there will be thumb controls or levers that will let the user manage their speed and forward/reverse movement.

Mobility scooters are an excellent choice for people with walking disabilities to get around. These scooters are not hard to learn and get a comfortable feel of how to use one either.

Who Is A Mobility Scooter Right For?

Mobility scooters are a great and inexpensive way to get around. They provide excellent advantages to people with mobility problems everywhere. Mobility scooters have been around for a long time helping many people regain their independent mobility. They are a great alternative to a wheelchair or to someone who needs something better than a walking cane or rolling walker. A mobility scooter is very helpful for people who can still get up and walk a few steps but have a hard time getting around. They are also great for people who do not have the stamina or upper strength for a manual wheelchair, or want a better and easier way to get around. Most mobility scooters also feature a swivel seat which can be much easier when getting off of a scooter than moving the footrests of a wheelchair. Mobility scooters are also fairly easy to get from insurers or health care agencies.

An electric mobility scooter is not for everyone though. Mobility scooters use a tiller steering mechanism so it may not be the best solution for people with severe arthritis in their wrists, hands or shoulders, or people that cannot get up and walk a few steps. They also typically have fewer options for body support.

If can get up and walk a few steps, then a mobility scooter might be a perfect mobility solution for you. Mobility scooters are less expensive than electric wheelchairs. If you are getting tired of your current cane or walker and want a better and easier way to get around then a mobility scooter should be a perfect fit for you. If you do require more body support, and cannot get up and walk a few steps or have severe arthritis in your hands or shoulders and cannot use the tiller steering comfortably, then a better solution for you might be an electric wheelchair.

Types of Mobility Scooters

If you are browsing around for electric mobility scooters, then I’m sure you have seen a few different types of these scooters. These types include 3 wheel mobility scooters, 4 wheel mobility scooters, heavy duty mobility scooters and travel mobility scooters. I’m sure you are wondering which might be best for you and your situation.

3 Wheel Mobility Scooters

Three wheel electric mobility scooters offer excellent indoor maneuverability. These scooters feature tighter turning radius’s du

e to their three wheel design which turns on one wheel. Having a tighter turning radius allows these mobility scooters to get around corners much easier, as well as go around objects better, such as getting around your kitchen or in a grocery store. If you plan on using your mobility scooter a lot indoors then a 3 wheel electric mobility scooter might be best suited for your needs.

4 Wheel Mobility Scooters

Four wheel electric mobility scooters can be used both indoors and outdoors but don’t have the turning radius that a three wheel mobility scooter has. Four wheel mobility scooters are perfect for the outdoors where the terrain is not smooth.

Because of it’s four wheels, there is increased stability and traction over the three wheel models. These models also will typically feature larger wheels and a better suspension system just for that purpose. Most will also offer higher ground clearances for getting over curbs and rocky areas. If you will be spending more time driving your mobility scooter outdoors then a four wheel scooter will benefit you more.

Travel Mobility Scooters
Travel electric mobility scooters can come in both three and four wheel models, however most come with three wheels. Travel mobility scooters are perfect for someone that takes their mobility scooter everywhere with them, as they are very small, lightweight and can be disassembled into smaller pieces for the convenience of storing the scooter somewhere or for easy travel. When disassembled they will fit right into the trunk of almost any car without the need of any kind of lift. Travel mobility scooters do not typically have any luxury options associated with them and do not have very large weight capacities, but do come with a lower price tag.

Heavy Duty Mobility Scooters

Heavy duty electric mobility scooters have higher weight capacities than their counterparts. The weight capacities of these mobility scooters will be around 400-500lbs. On top of having higher weight capacities, heavy duty mobility scooters will also have wider seats and are constructed a little longer to give more leg room. Any heavy duty mobility scooter will usually be a four wheel scooter.