Mobility Scooters: Advantages

May 30, 2008

If you are mobility challenged, whether due to injury, illness, or simply age, you might feel like you are very restricted in the activities that you can perform. It may be difficult to do things like shopping and for many it is hard to ask for assistance from friends and families. For these individuals a mobility scooter can greatly improve your independence and your ease of movement.

There are several manufactures of mobility scooters, but the two biggest names are Pride Mobility and Golden Technologies. These manufactures have been making home mobility equipment for over 20 years and make very dependable and reliable equipment. They provide many different types of mobility scooters for both indoor and outdoor use.

A mobility scooter makes it possible to go places without any assistance and without any pain. When you purchase a mobility scooter that is made by a reputable manufacturer, like Pride or Golden, they are covered by a very inclusive warranty that ensures you will receive many years of dependable service.

Mobility scooters are battery powered and some can travel at speeds of greater than 10 miles per hour and distances of very 30 miles per charge. This makes them great for outdoor use and traveling. Some are designed to be used in rugged outdoor situations and over terrain that you wouldn’t think about driving your car over.

Purchasing a mobility scooter can greatly improve you independence and lessen the necessity to rely on others.


Mobility Scooters: Safety

May 23, 2008

Mobility scooters are used by people who have difficulty walking. This difficulty can arise due to health related problems or age. Many mobility scooters are designed to be ridden all day and over all types of terrain. Improper use of these can result in injury though, so ensure that you read the instruction manual before you use the device.

One of the biggest risks to a mobility scooter rider is other vehicles. It can be hard for drivers of cars and trucks to see the mobility device, so you never want to put yourself in a position where the car must stop to avoid hitting you. Always look both ways before crossing the street and do not cross until you are sure you will have enough time to cross the road. You will also want to avoid driving on public roads as in most states this is against the law and can be very dangerous.

Falling out of your mobility scooter and tipping over your mobility scooter can also present a risk. If your unit has a seat belt then you should remember to buckle it while in motion. Avoid turning at high speeds and if you start to feel like the mobility scooter may be tipping than immediately take your hand off the accelerator. It is also important to avoid driving over large obstacles, like high curbs. There is a much larger risk of tipping over backwards if you attempt to climb over a curb that is too high.

While mobility scooters can greatly increase your mobility, they can also be dangerous if used incorrectly.


Pride Go-Go Elite Traveller

May 16, 2008

Mobility scooters are personal mobility devices that are used to allow people who are mobility challenged to move around freely. They utilize rechargeable batteries and can travel over many different types of terrain. One manufacturer of mobility scooters that is very popular is Pride Mobility.

Pride Mobility began custom making lift chairs, recliners used to help stand and sit, in the 80’s. In the early 90’s they revealed their first mobility scooter and since have been leading the industry in design and durability. They make many different types of scooters that are used in various situations and they also manufacture electric power wheelchairs.

Their line of travel scooters is very popular. Travel scooters can be easily disassembled to make their transport and storage very easy. They can be placed in the trunk of a car or shipped on a plane with ease. One of their most popular travel scooters is the Pride Go-Go Elite Traveller. The Traveller is a 3-wheeled mobility scooter that has a turning radius of 32.5 inches. It features solid tires, so you need not worry about getting flats or filling your tires with air. It easily breaks down into 5 pieces, and the heaviest piece is only 28 pounds. The Go-Go Elite Traveller can support 275 pounds and has a per-charge range of 10 miles. It can achieve a top speed of 4.25 miles.

One of the major advantages of travel scooters is that they can be transported without the need for vehicle lift. The Go-Go Elite Traveller is great for indoor use and can be used outdoors as well.


Electric Mobility Scooters: A Powerful Aid to Mobility

May 7, 2008

There comes a time in many peoples lives that walking around is just not as easy as it used to be. This can be due to medical conditions, age, or a combination of both. In these cases a mobility scooter can be very valuable. A mobility scooter is a device that is similar to a wheelchair in that it is a transportation aid, but both the sitting position and the way the wheels are configured is very different.

Mobility scooters come in either 3-wheel or 4-wheel configuration and most feature some sort of captains seat that is mounted over the back wheels. Some of these chairs are similar in design to an office chair or one that is found in a boat. Depending on the model, some of the chairs are overstuffed, extra wide, high back, and some even feature a built in electric lift, that raises and lowers the seat to make it easier to get on and off of the unit.

Virtually all manufacturers of mobility scooters use electricity to power the units. Some earlier models were gas powered but this was largely phased out. This is because electricity is safe to use indoors, does not risk explosion or carry the same risk of fire that gas does, and

the components of the motor do not get hot like a gas engine does. Electricity and batteries

have come a long way and so electric mobility scooters are also much more cost effective than a gas

powered scooter is.

Mobility scooters have a wide variety of features. Most offer an adjustable tiller, which is used to steer the

unit, that can be moved to make the controls accessible for most individuals. Swivel seats, adjustable armrests, cane holders, and oxygen tank holders are just some of the different features and accessories that are available for many units.

Finding an electric mobility scooter that will fit your needs is rarely a problem. If you intend to largely use the device indoors, then you will want to find a unit that has a small turning radius and does not take up as much space. 3-wheel scooters are typically great for indoors, because by only using 1 wheel in the front, the turning radius is greatly reduced. For outdoor use the range per charge, speed, and tires is likely to be more important.


Mobility Scooter Tires

May 2, 2008

When purchasing a mobility scooter, there are many different types of mobility scooters and it is easy to be overwhelmed by the many options and features. One thing that can be confusing is the different types of tires that are available.

Many scooters offer tubeless tires that are similar to the kind you would find on a car. These must be filled with air and the proper tire pressure maintained. They offer a very smooth ride and can be adjusted to accommodate different types of terrain and rider weight. This is great for outside travel in which you may experience many different terrains or need some extra traction, but they are not puncture proof so you have to be careful around nails or other sharp objects.

The other type of tire commonly found on mobility scooter is the solid tire. These are either solid rubber or filled with a special foam. You do not have to fill these with air, so you never have to worry about them going flat. They also are puncture proof. These types of tires do not offer as smooth of a ride as air filled tires.