A Guide to Mobility Scooters and Powered Wheelchairs for Visiting Attractions

Before you go exploring the UK as we did, you want to first find the best products to suit your needs. Powered wheelchairs and scooters come in different sizes and shapes. This post is a lowdown on the different options available to you from easypaymobility.co.uk, including some of the latest innovations.

[lwptoc]

Powered wheelchair vs. Mobility scooter

If you want a scooter to use to go around the different attractions or shops, then size matters. Smaller scooters will be generally much easier to manoeuvre in small spaces and within crowds. You can take them on some trains, buses, ferries, and some planes (only those with dry cell batteries), though you might need a scooter pass. However, with the large all-terrain models, such as the Tramper, which are much sturdier and are designed for offroad use, it might not be so easy.

Powered wheelchairs

These will generally suit you better if you find that moving from your wheelchair into your car seat is difficult. Some will fold well and fit in a car, but some of the larger models might require an adapted car. Just as with mobility scooters, powered wheelchairs are available in different sizes classes. Class 2 models are only allowed to be driven on pavements, while Class 3 models are allowed to be used on the road and will require payment of road tax. A powered wheelchair also means that you will be equipped to play powerchair football if that’s something you fancy.

Some important considerations when it comes to powered mobility are what you want to use the powered wheelchair or scooter for, how far you need yours to go, and whether you will be using it on pavement or the road. Keep in mind that there are special rules for driving on pavement and on the road.

The size of the boot is one of the primary things people look at when shopping for a new car these days. When it comes to mobility, having enough storage for your stuff is also key. It’s also important to consider how you will be getting the vehicle in and out of your car – a hoist could be a great adaptation, or you may consider installing a wheelchair-accessible vehicle (WAV) in case you have to stay in a wheelchair for the journey, whether as a driver or a passenger.

Whether you choose to get a powered wheelchair or scooter, an important tip to keep in mind is that it should be kept plugged in when you’re not using it. Otherwise, the batteries may deteriorate, and these can be expensive to replace.

There are a few useful guides available from the Motability Scheme that can help you work out what kind of mobility vehicle will be right for you. Many people have used mobility scooters to travel all around the world, and they have given a lot more total mobility independence in the UK.

Read more: Social Inclusion and Empowerment for Disabled Youth