Does anyone use a mobility scooter?

Marie5656

Marie5656

SF VIP
Location
Batavia, NY
A friend here recently made the hard decision to give up driving. He then got himself a mobility scooter and moves it. He goes all over in it. He gets a good charge. Says he can go to WalMart *about 5 or 6 miles round trip. Still having charge left. I am guessing it will be a few years before I will feel the need to give up the car..but want a scooter. This is similar to my friends.

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That's a nice looking one, and it is good to become aware of possible options, that we might consider at some point in the future, if/when our needs change.

Is that sort usually allowed inside most stores as well? Medical or office buildings? Events?

One feature I would look for is handlebars that can adjust so that they lean forward, so the rider is not trying to reach them.
 
Kaila said:
That's a nice looking one, and it is good to become aware of possible options, that we might consider at some point in the future, if/when our needs change.

Is that sort usually allowed inside most stores as well? Medical or office buildings? Events?

One feature I would look for is handlebars that can adjust so that they lean forward, so the rider is not trying to reach them.
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Yes..these are allowed inside stores and malls, as they are battery powered. Similar concept to the Mart Carts that are in many stores
 
It seems great for many possible actions.

One limitation I see, is that it wouldn't be able to be loaded into cars, to take to some other destination, so mainly for someplace you could go either within your building or nearby enough outdoors, and with a safe sidewalk, rather than the road, for sure.
 
Marie5656 said:
I do not own one yet, but my understanding is that they are plugged into an electrical outlet. I do not know how long. If you see the mart carts in some stores, same concept.
@Kaila definately would not go into a car.
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Most of them go into car trunks, they come apart. You can get a lift system put in your truck to lift the parts in. When you get one you want to be sure to get one that will go the mileage you want-same as a wheelchair.

In Utah you can drive them anywhere including the side of the street or the middle of the street if necessary, same with a wheelchair. This is because a lot of our sidewalks are not wheelchair abled and during the winter people do not shovel their sidewalks. I imagine it is the same mostly everywhere.

The disabled can not be trapped in their homes for lack of a sidewalk or a decent sidewalk.
 
I bought a power chair about two months ago. I am age 80 with bad vision (macular degeneration) along with mobility problems due to being a lifelong above knee amputee. Although I still have a drivers license I no longer drive. My wife takes me where I need to go. The power chair allows me to get outside and enjoy nature. Its also good indoors. I have the joystick operated kind of chair which I can park under my computer desk in my den. I can still walk OK indoors on level surfaces, so I don't use the chair indoors. I bought a set of inexpensive ramps so I can easily load it into the car and take it places. Here is a picture of it.1668049436208.jpeg
 
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Devi said:
If I could ask, how do you re-charge the battery? Or can that be done?
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Just plug it in to a power point. I charge mine in our garage.

I have one but since all of my joint replacements it is not used very much these days.
Mine has 4 wheels and bucks like a bronco on uneven foot paths. Builders' trucks, and cars that park across the footpath, cause problems but in quiet streets I just venture onto the road until I am past them.

IMO it is a good idea to acquire one (mine is second hand) before it is too late to learn not only how to drive it (that much is very simple) and the pitfalls that you are likely to encounter.

It is necessary to check the tyre pressure from time to time and keep them inflated with a pump you can easily use at home.
 
I like the look of the scooter, but don't like the look of the power chair. I would like one even though I'm still walking around, sometimes that isn't so much fun; it would be fun to go miles using it!
 
I have a Jazzy power chair. The reason I like the chair is because it does a zero turn. I can turn it around in a store aisle or the elevator in my building. I charge it in my bathroom (which is where I keep it in my apartment). I can still walk with a walker but not as far as to a store. So I use it when I have to go somewhere since I am living without a car. I love mine! It is fun to just go for a ride if I want. My friends have scooters and they like those too.
 
Pepper said:
I like the look of the scooter, but don't like the look of the power chair. I would like one even though I'm still walking around, sometimes that isn't so much fun; it would be fun to go miles using it!
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My power chair will go several miles on a charge. That's for just one battery. I have two batteries aboard mine. Besides the range, my power chair operates from a convenient joystick which means it has a very small turning radius, like maybe 30 inches! thus allowing its use indoors in cramped spaces. The scooters having a tiller (front handlebars, etc.) cannot begin to do this! Unlike 'scooters' my power chair is collapsible and will easily fit in the trunk of a car. Neither scooters nor power chairs like mine can be driven safely on roads or highways. Even a bike lane is too dangerous for using most kinds of mobility scooters or power chairs. Here in California they are considered pedestrian vehicles and must be driven on sidewalks. Traffic laws do not apply to pedestrians. But here in California traffic laws are quite severe. Unless you are a disabled pedestrian, power chairs and the like cannot be driven even on sidewalks. Since I am disabled, I get to use my chair on sidewalks. Fortunately ADA rules have required that sidewalks be cut down and rebuilt so as to provide wheelchair access at traffic intersections. This means that I can drive my chair for many miles continuously on paved sidewalks without having to ever get out and lift it over any curbs.
 
We have three, one travel scooter (small), and two large mobility scooters. They all have two batteries each providing 24 volts. We call the large ones Senior Recreation Vehicles (SRV) because we cruise the neighbourhoods snooping. They are good for about 25 miles before needing to be recharged by plugging them in. I leave all three plugged in all the time at home.
 
Thank you to everyone for all of these posts, which add lots of helpful info, with encouragement and humor, added in!
I've needed one for years, and looked into it, at a few points. I hope I will figure out which type of one and the details of getting it, at some point.
Again, very informative posts by many people. Thanks!
 
I am learning a lot from folks here who have them. As I think I said before, I will wait until after I choose to give up the car, due to the range of the scooter. I figure I can use delivery for groceries, and I order many basics from Amazon. Plus there are always people here willing to offer rides if needed
 

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