If you struggle walking long distances, a mobility scooter promises to give you independence. They are vital for the well-being of patients who wish to visit shops, family, friends, and cafes. All without having to ask for help.
Mobility scooters, unlike wheelchairs, boast three to four large wheels. This makes them suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Combined with impressive battery life, baskets, and user-friendly operating mechanisms, these scooters provide the utmost shopping efficiency.
To assist you in choosing a scooter that suits your lifestyle and needs, we’ve created this handy guide. Read on to gain insight into the best options available.
Why Invest in a Mobility Scooter
Whatever the reason for requiring assistance in getting around, having to constantly ask for help can be soul-destroying. And if you don’t have anyone to help, losing your independence can be isolating. Mobility scooters give this independence back. How? By allowing you to move around freely, traveling short distances as and when you please. The result? Heightened quality of life and improved mental health.
Different Types of Mobility Scooter
There are various styles of mobility scooters available. These comprise those that fold flat like the buzzaround scooter, as well as those with outdoor wheels. When considering your options, think about your lifestyle. Asking questions such as ‘Where will I be using my mobility scooter and what for?’ will help you to determine the correct style for your needs.
To help you with this decision, we have listed two of the most prevalent styles below. Both are effective in assisting you with your shopping needs.
1. Travel Mobility Scooters
These scooters are an ideal investment to run errands. They’re perfect for short distances, and many use them to pop into the shops, visit the doctor, or travel to a nearby friend’s house. Anything under a distance of 20km is suited to this style of mobility vehicle.
Their benefits? They’re compact, lightweight, and easy to handle. They’re also versatile and can be folded to fit inside a trunk, which means they are an ideal choice for you if you wish to travel with your mobility scooter.
Regarding driver capability, travel mobility scooters are easy to maneuver, with a smaller turning circle and basic suspension. If your local shop gets crowded, this scooter will help you to navigate those crowds.
For best results, choose one with a basket. This makes life easier when transporting shopping to and from your home.
2. Mid-Sized Mobility Scooters
Another popular choice that is still compact enough for shopping endeavors? Mid-sized mobility scooters. This versatile model is suited to both indoor and outdoor use. Living close enough to a store to avoid taking the bus or driving, yet having to handle rough terrain, this is an ideal transport choice. Why? Their larger wheels make traveling outdoors a breeze; their smaller turning circle makes sidestepping crowds in the store an easy feat. In a nutshell, they offer the best of both worlds.
They are ideal for shopping trips, coffee runs, and covering distances between 20-40 km. Despite their bigger wheels, they are compatible with public transport. Many can also be disassembled, meaning they can travel in the trunk of a car.
3. Three Wheel Options
Does your local shop boast narrow aisles and crowded spaces? Three-wheel mobility scooters are an investment. Their smaller turning circle means you can master sharp turns. The result? You can request poorly designed shops and busy malls. In addition, scooters with smaller baskets on the front will make smaller spaces easier to navigate.
In addition to being savvy drivers, these scooters are light in weight, which makes them easy to transport. Whether jumping on the bus or traveling further afield, you won’t need to leave your mobility scooter behind.
The Bottom Line
If you wish to remain independent and injury-free yet struggle to walk long distances, a mobility scooter will likely become your best friend. You can shop to your heart's content: lightweight, easy to drive, and boasting baskets galore. But that’s not all; modern-day mobility scooters boast versatile structures, meaning they can be folded or dismantled and placed in the trunk of a car.
Whether you need to use one due to an injury or an age-related ailment, investing in a mobility scooter will allow you to run various errands without asking for help. This gives you the freedom to shop when you want, rather than having to pay for taxis or ask family members to assist.
Researching the many options available will help you to pick a model that suits your lifestyle. Moreover, not only does this help you ensure the utmost shopping efficiency, but it will also allow you to find something specific.
