Scooters

Electric scooters are now providing more advanced mobility options for disabled and elderly persons than ever. As opposed to a traditional wheelchair or motorized cart, scooters are mobility equipment better suited for those individuals who don't foresee losing upper-body or torso mobility or whose disabilities are limited to their lower back and legs.

Scooters are motorized chairs that feature an upright steering column in the front. They are designed in three-wheeled (for indoor use) and four-wheeled (better for outdoor use) varieties, as well as fold-up scooters for travel. Three-wheeled scooters can make sharp turns easily and can navigate in tight spaces without much effort on the part of the user. Four-wheeled scooters don't have as sharp a turn radius, but offer more stability on uneven and rough surfaces.

Most electric scooters weigh around 150 lbs. with about 12-15 lbs. of that weight being in the battery. The batteries will cover about 10-20 miles of distance in a single charge, with top speeds at about five miles per hour. Once the battery is drained, it must be recharged, usually for a minimum of six hours.

Adding on to Your Scooter
A wide range of scooter accessories is available for your mobility scooter to accommodate special needs. Crutch and cane holders, oxygen carriers, front and rear storage baskets, as well as headlights and horns make these devices adaptable for any situation or user. However, always check your scooter's weight restrictions before adding accessories, as the scooter may not be able to contain the weight of the user and the additions. A scooter ramp is also a helpful addition to your home.