Are you ready to buy your first mobility scooter, or are you thinking about upgrading your scooter? A scooter can be a great way to safely increase your ability to travel independently, but it’s important that the scooter that you buy is a good fit for your needs. Be sure to consider these six factors when shopping for your new scooter.
How Will You Be Using the Mobility Scooter?
Think about all of the potential uses that your mobility scooter will serve. Where will you be driving it? Indoors? Outdoors? Both? If you’ll use a scooter indoors, then you will want something compact with a tight turning radius for better maneuverability. If you’re headed outdoors, then you will want a sturdier scooter for increased stability and comfort. You will also likely want a large battery for a greater travel distance.
How Often Will You Travel?
You should also consider whether you will be transporting the scooter in a vehicle. If you plan to regularly transport the scooter, invest in one which is lightweight and which easily disassembles or folds up.
If you plan to take the scooter on trips or vacations, then look for a scooter that is designed so that you can bring the batteries inside with you. This way you can charge the batteries inside the hotel room without them being attached to the scooter. This is also a nice convenience to have during the winter.
Consider the Future
A quality scooter will last you for years, so be sure to consider the future when shopping for your new personal mobility vehicle. If you think you might grow into a larger scooter for comfort, or anticipate that you will have trouble lifting a scooter into a vehicle in the future, it might be wise to buy both a scooter and a vehicle lift at the same time.
Consider Your Height and Weight
Don’t just go by weight capacities when deciding what scooters might be appropriate for you. It’s important to consider your height, too. If you will be using a scooter for a long period of time, being even a little cramped can lead to serious discomfort. If you are tall, from about 5’10” and up, you may want to consider a scooter like the GoGo Sport 3-Wheel, which has about 2” of extra length and width. This larger design can make for a more comfortable ride.
Decide What You Need in a Seat
Scooter seats aren’t all made equally. If you want to maximize your comfort and support, consider a high back seat, especially for long trips.
Look for Shock Suspension
Many scooters now offer shock suspension, which can help to soften the jarring of bumps for a more comfortable ride. This feature can be particularly valuable if you plan to use your scooter heavily, if you will be traveling over rough terrain, or if you have pain, such as back pain.
Med Mart offers a wide variety of scooters for you to choose from. If you have questions or need help with your choice, please contact us. We would be happy to help you find the perfect scooter for your needs.