Introduction
For many people with limited mobility a powered scooter is a good alternative to a wheelchair. Many people prefer a scooter to a wheel chair as they are more attractive visually, are lighter, more compact and have better maneuverability. We will look at mobility scooter features, their value as mobility aids and other information to consider when choosing a mobility scooter.
Construction
An electric mobility scooter is composed of a wheeled platform containing the drive unit and batteries, with controls and hand rests towards the front and a seat at the rear. For rugged terrains and hills a rear wheel drive unit would be preferred as they have better traction than a front wheel drive model. The platform or drive unit is usually made from steel, aluminium or fiberglass or sometimes a composite is used. There may be a cover over the drive head and dashboard instruments. When considering the electric tricycles factoryto purchase the size, ground clearance and turning radius should all be considered as these relate directly to the maneuverability.
Comfort and Safety
To ensure the needs of the rider are met the base unit dimensions and construction should be carefully considered. The feet must be comfortably accommodated and the controls easy to use and comfortably within reach. This is vitally important for a very tall or short riders. Many scooters have adjustable seats and arm rests and some have various base dimensions or extra footrests for longer legs or for those who wear leg braces.
Safety Features
Stability of the base unit on inclines and sharp turns is important. Many scooters have anti-tip mechanisms on the wheels for stability during maneuvers of these kinds so we advise you to check that the scooter your are considering has these mechanisms.