There are a myriad of benefits to owning a lightweight mobility scooter, ranging from the fact that they require far less effort to propel than a manual wheelchair to the way they allow you to cover a greater distance without any assistance – they can also be easily dismantled or folded to fit in a vehicle, on public transport or to take on vacation.
A lightweight, portable and robust mobility scooter can help anyone with mobility restrictions, allowing you the freedom to get outdoors and explore. They’re easy to operate, even for those who have never used one before, and normally offer one or two speed settings in which the user can travel up to four MPH. The biggest benefit of such a scooter, however, is that they’re simple to fold down or dismantle (as we mentioned above), as this renders them easy to put in the car boot, take on a train/bus/plane or store under the stairs.
The way we see it, there are six good reasons to invest in a portable mobility scooter (which is also commonly known as a lightweight scooter, boot scooter or folding mobility scooter). They all refer to virtually the same device, the best of them sharing similar characteristics: they should fold or dismantle in under 30 seconds and also fit in most car boot spaces. Of course, different makes and models will vary slightly, but the concept remains the same.
• Accessibility – Being limited in mobility is absolutely no Swiss picnic, which is why the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) clearly states that services such as shops, pubs, hotels, post offices and general public spaces must provide access for everyone. As great news for someone traveling around on a portable mobility scooter (or in a powerchair or wheelchair), accessibility in these places is continually improving.
• Injury Prevention – A portable scooter literally allows you to take the weight off your feet while also reducing the risk of trips, slips and falls, which can be particularly damaging if you lack physical strength.
• Simple Operation – A good portable mobility scooter should be easy to fold and take with you in the car boot, so if you’re the type of individual who is always on the go, it might be wise to select a scooter that can either electronically or manually fold in under 30 seconds. To say that this would save you a gaggle of trouble during assembly and disassembly would be something of a massive understatement – the bottom line is that the best examples of these products are simple to operate and boast clearly-marked buttons/levers on the dashboard.
• Storage Efficiency – One look at a mobile scooter and most people immediately believe they don’t have the room to store it. But if you do happen to lack the storage space for a large mobility scooter, a compact model may fit the bill; with one of these in the house, you’ll be able to put it in a small shed, cupboard or hallway. What’s more, the batteries are usually removable, allowing them to be charged wherever there is an electrical outlet.
• Additional Independence – There is no price that could be put on being able to get around without assistance, and a portable mobility scooter is an ideal way to hit the shops, move around the garden or use in conjunction with a motor vehicle to travel beyond the home. Looking for something that can handle long journeys on a regular basis? An eight MPH scooter may be of greater benefit.
• Home Demonstrations – While not quite as involved as buying a house or car, purchasing a mobility scooter still demands that some hard decisions be made. Consider that the device has to suit your lifestyle and, more importantly, your need to feel confident when piloting it in public. Some businesses selling wheelchairs and scooters may offer an option to bring a selection to your home so you can try them out and speak to a trained mobility specialist at the same time.
Some Other Factors to Take Into Consideration
• Crowded Spaces – One of the first things wheelchair and scooter users think about when having to pilot their new device is navigating those busy crowds – and it doesn’t necessarily have to be in Disney World, Magic Mountain or downtown Manhattan. The majority of shopping centers, eateries and public spaces are now equipped and ready for disabled access, and lightweight mobility scooters have been designed to blend in with the hustle and bustle of such crowded places. Further, most lightweight scooters boast a tight turning circle, meaning that you’ll be able to navigate tight corners and crowded spaces without much effort.
• All Terrains – The very best mobility device business selling these products will stock a range of lightweight mobility scooters to suit the different needs and requirements of their customers, with some scooters coming with, for example, large rugged wheels that are better for uneven terrain, and still others having more powerful motors that are designed to help with inclines. Some scooters are designed more sleekly than others, allowing for small turning circles to provide the best indoor performance.
• Battery Type – When choosing a mobility scooter, it’s important to decide whether you want one powered by a Lead Acid (SLA) or Lithium Ion battery; for your general information, Lithium Ion has undergone rigorous testing and is considered safe for travel by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), while SLA batteries are heavier in weight but represent the cheaper alternative. The SLA option is suitable for shorter journeys such as going shopping or visiting the doctor, but either way, one excellent tip we can share is to always buy a spare battery for your lightweight mobility scooter: this will allow you to extend your range without recharging your battery.
Of course, like with everything else in life, there are a few cons regarding mobility scooters that should be mentioned, and these include:
• Users need a significant amount of balance and arm strength, so it’s not a great choice for people with more serious disabilities.
• Some models are too big to store or transport easily.
• They’re not a good option for small homes.
To wrap up, we’d like to leave you with this stat: in 2021, the global electric scooter market was estimated to be worth an eye-watering $20.78 billion, largely due to vast improvements in technology – meaning that improvements like decreased weight and increased battery life have become the norm.