Traveling With Your Scooter in Style

 

The world has become a much smaller place with traveling around the country and even across the world taking place every day for hundreds and even thousands of individuals. When mobility becomes an issue and every step has to be thought through carefully then the ability to travel starts to fade into the distance and becomes a thing of the past.

However, it doesn’t have to be this way for those that take the time to research and purchase portable mobility scooters that are designed to go places quickly and easily. One of the top characteristics and biggest benefits of this type of equipment is the fact that it can fold, or be disassembled in a few simple moves and then be placed into the trunk of a vehicle and everyone is ready to go on the road trip.

Don’t sacrifice visits to see the grandkids or feel that the mall is out of reach, as long as you have the right make and model of scooter, you can remain as active as you did before the mobility issues started happening. These products are designed to be easily operated by individuals of any age group and to move around tight corners, have speed control and can be used outside and inside the home.

As the purchaser it is important to review the specifications of the product you are looking at and then check out the accessories that are compatible with this but one of the simplest things to do is to do an Internet search using the term ‘portable mobility scooter’ and then see how many brand names populate the list. Look at several vendor sites to compare price, warranty information, maintenance instructions and who offers home delivery and free setup. The product needs to address the mobility situation to be effective, so careful and thoughtful research is the first step towards success and ensuring that the ‘travel bug’ is satisfied!

Selecting the Right Mobility Scooter for you

 

Many people are already sold on the benefits of a mobility scooter, thanks in part to tv commercials or word-of-mouth from friends that have already purchased units. However, you may be confused about selecting the right product for you.

A recent study by AARP reported that just 4.6% of scooters are currently ridden indoors only. While 37% ride them outdoors only, and 58% are used both indoors and outside. AARP also asked how long they were used: 15% use their scooters more than eight hours a day, 13% between four and eight hours, and 27% them between one and four hours a day. The largest segment of respondents, 37% do not even fire up their scooter every day. (http://www.aarp.org)Phoenix HD 3 wheel

If you want to avoid selecting the wrong type of mobility scooter then you should consider the following:

  1. What is your height and weight? If you are too heavy or use the scooter in the wrong way, you can tip over. AARP reported that 32% of scooter owners have tipped over at least once. So, one of the most important question a buyer can ask themselves is “How stable is the scooter?'”
  2. What activities do you like to do on a daily basis? Will you go inside only or outdoors?  Paved surfaces only, gravel, grass, etc.?
  3. How long will you be on the device in a given day?
  4. Do you need to transport the scooter? Will your scooter fit into your vehicle? Can you lift the weight of the heaviest part or do you need a lift?
  5. Do you need any special mobility accessories such as a walker holder or oxygen holder? The point of a mobility scooter is to make a person’s life more convenient, and the accessories that are available are meant to do the same thing. Most people want their scooters customized to fit their personal needs, and accessories are a great way to do that.
  6. Can you stand up when necessary to reach counters or do you need a power elevating seat?
  7. Are your hallways, bathrooms or other rooms in your home too tight to turn around? If so, you might need a power chair instead of, or in addition to, a scooter.

Phoenix HD 3 wheel

Extending Use of Your Mobile Scooter Lift

There are ways to extend the use of your mobility scooter – a Manual Scooter Carrier, Boom-style Scooter Lift, Outside Electric Platform Lift and the Hybrid Lift. Find how these can help you load and transport the mobility scooter.

The Manual Scooter Carrier is attached to the Hitch Receiver of your vehicle. There is a manual folding ramp that lowers and raises to allow the scooter to be powered up or rolled down the ramp. Typically ratchet straps are used to secure the scooter to the platform. These are less expensive but require additional effort.

An Outside Electric Platform Scooter Lift is a simple accessory attached to the hitch of the car. Mobility scooter carrier lift operates by lowering the lift platform to the ground, driving the scooter onto it and then raising the lift platform to the usual driving level. As the system includes components like electric motor and lifting platform to lift the platform with the scooter on it, it is costlier. However, it does not require physical strength at all. You can use it with a sedan, truck, van, or minivan.

A Boom-style Scooter Lift has a crane-like structure, it lifts the scooter up and swings the mobility scooter into the vehicle. The accessory can be used in most SUV’s, vans, or trucks. The advantage of these lifts allow the mobility device to be brought into the vehicle which greatly reduces the chance of accidental or purposeful damaged such as theft. However, they are more difficult to install with some installations requiring drilling into the frame of the vehicle.

The Hybrid lifts combine the best features of the Platform Lift and the Boom-style scooter lift. The platform is electrically extended to the ground for loading/unloading and then returned into the vehicle with no effort required.. The installation is typically easier than the Boom-style but the platform usually requires the vehicle to lose the 3rd row seating.

You can choose between these mobile scooter lifts to transport the scooter using a car, truck or van. Using the lift, your mobility options are stretched.

outside electric lifts

outside electric lifts

Before Making the Purchase of an electric mobility scooter at the stores

Electric mobility scooters come in an array of shapes, sizes and prices to suit all requirements and budgets. You need to consider a few things before investing in an electric mobility scooter for yourself or a loved one.

The first step is to zero in on a model from the options available – Petite Scooters, Two Seater Scooters, Foldable Mobility Scooters, Three and Four-Wheel Electric Scooters, Scooters with headlights and baskets, Scooters with oxygen holders, Heavy-Duty Electric Scooters. You need to do some research how these models differ and which of these will fit in your requirements.

Two basic versions of the electric mobility scooter are the portable type and the utility type. Portable scooters can be dismantled into components and be lifted individually into a vehicle for easy transport. On the other hand, the utility type scooters are larger and can be used for longer distances; however, the weight of the components are much heavier or they cannot be disassembled.

EV Rider Transport Scooter

EV Rider Transport Scooter

Other factors you need to consider are size, weight, and battery capacity. Three-wheeled mobility scooters are lighter in weight compared to a four wheel scooter, although the latter offer better balance, particularly when riding them outside, especially on un-level ground or when turning sharply.

Mobility scooters have highly flexible tiller, making it easy for the users to steer the scooter in any direction. The seats are fixed on stems, and some may offer sliding or swivel. In some models, seats can have 360 degree rotation, allowing a user the freedom to move any way they want.

Whether you want to just improve your mobility in view of age, or disability has left you with few options, getting an electric mobility scooter will be one of the best investments you have ever made. Backed by constantly improving technology, electric mobility scooters at the stores are getting faster and lighter. All user needs to do is plug in and go.