I keep reading articles that say you need to get your scooter serviced by a qualified engineer. Most of them don’t say what is included in the Service though. I was curious and set out to find out and this is what I found out:

Most mobility scooters should have a service every 12 months. It is very important to get your scooter serviced. It is vital that your brakes are in top working order, especially if you use them on the road. Having your scooter regularly serviced will give you peace of mind, that it is in good working order. Also it will help your scooter last longer as it will be well maintained.

What a mobility scooter service should cover

• Brake check
• Tyre check, and adjust tyre pressure if you have pneumatic tyres (if it is necessary)
• Bulb and lighting check
• Battery check
• Steering adjustment
• Lubrication

All this should be covered in the price you are quoted. Any parts you need will be extra.

When arranging a service for your mobility scooter it is wise to ask about or check the following:

• Where is the service carried out? In your home or at a workshop? If it is at their workshop; will they collect and return your scooter, or do you need to get it there yourself?
• How long will the service take, can you wait while they do it?
• Will the work come guaranteed?
• Are any parts that you need guaranteed?
• Does the engineer have experience with the make of scooter that you own?
• Will they offer you advice on maintaining your scooter free of charge?
• Will the service include a test drive?

If you keep your scooter in good condition and make sure it has enough battery power for your journey, then your journey should be problem free. However, breakdowns do happen and you need to be prepared in the event that it happens to you.

Hints and tips to help you should you breakdown whilst out on your scooter.

• Most importantly – Keep Calm

Where have you broken down?

• If your scooter has broken down in a place that could be a hazard to other road users and you can’t move the scooter: get yourself out of the way if possibble and call the police (or ask a passer by to call them). Tell them what has happened and exactly where you are.
• If your scooter won’t start or you are in a safe place, there are a number of things you can do.

Mobile phones

• If you have a mobile phone and can make calls or send text messages; then this becomes the obvious way to get help. Make sure you have friends and family’s numbers stored in your phone. Call someone and ask them to come and help you.
• If you have trouble communicating, have a message written down on a piece of paper. Keep the piece of paper with you at all times. In the event of a breakdown, you can show the paper to someone, a shop worker for example. The message could read something like: I have trouble talking. I have a mobility scooter that has broken down. I need help. Please could you ring [put the name and number in here] Thank you

Let someone know where you are going.

• If you live with someone, let them know where you are going and how long you expect to be. If you don’t have a mobile phone they will know where to find you, and when to look for you.
• A mobile phone is a good way of letting them know if you are delayed whilst out on your scooter.

Recovery Service

• Most recovery service companies offer recovery services for mobility scooters. There are also specialist recovery services, designed to ‘rescue’ mobility scooter users. Shop around and check the policy details for what is covered and what is not.
• Most policies have a maximum number of call outs that you can make in each 12 month period. After this they will not come and help you and you will not get any refund of your policy fee.

Buying a scooter as a present is a great idea. For a loved one who can’t get out like they used to; buying them something that gives them back their mobility is priceless.

However, you need to think carefully so that you purchase the right scooter for them.

Issues to think about when buying a scooter as a present.

First and foremost think about the person’s disability or need for using a scooter. Keep this in your mind when purchasing a scooter.

If someone has had a stroke is a good example. One side of their body could be stronger than the other, and scooter with a single hand control on the correct side of the scooter will be much more suitable than other types of scooter controls.

Is the scooter going to be a surprise?

If not, talk to them about what they need from a scooter. You may be surprised at their answers.

How heavy is the person?

Scooters have weight limits, make sure the one you buy is suitable.

Where will they want to be using the scooter?

If they want to go to the supermarket or the shops on the scooter – look at 3 wheel models.

These generally have a smaller turning circle, and can negotiate tighter turns more easily.

If they want to be travelling to see friends and family, a 4 wheel heavy duty scooter might be more practical. These can often be used on the road and can travel up to 8mph.

Scooters that can be used on the road as well as the pavement are ‘class 3′ vehicles in the UK. Class 3 vehicles need to be registered with the DVLA. They need a road licence (this is free). They must also have lights, indicators and a horn.

Care needs to be taken when driving a scooter – but especially when using the road.

Will they easily be able to transfer into and out of the scooter?

Not all scooters have the same dimensions. Some will be easier than others.

If they are going to be travelling in the car look for a lightweight mobility scooter or travel scooter.

Likewise, does the seat turn? Do the arms fold down? Some people will need this extra flexibility on their scooter.

We all think we drive carefully on our mobility scooters (well, I certainly think that!) but when you look at the scooter highway code; you realise that driving a mobility scooter is very much like driving a car, and the same rules apply.

It is very sensible to know the rules and ALWAYS apply them when you drive.

Some points from the code for when you are out and about on your mobility scooter:

What sort of mobility scooter do you drive?

Class 2

• You can’t drive these on the road (you can cross a road but not drive along it).
• You drive these on pavements and footpaths; they only go up to 4mph.

Class 3

• These have a switch to change the maximum speed they can go.
• When it is switched to 4mph you can drive on pavements like a class 2 scooter. However you can switch them to 8mph and drive them on the road.

(Class 1 are manual wheelchairs)

I think this is one of the most important rules:

Always be aware of pedestrians and other road users.

Kerbs

• If not approached at right angles, kerbs can tip your scooter.
• Make sure you are head on when you go up or down them.
• Use a dropped kerb when ever you can, if you need to go up or down a kerb make sure it is not too high for your scooter to handle.
• Your scooter manual will tell you what the maximum kerb height that you can safely negotiate.

Looking ahead

• Sometimes you will not be able to see the road ahead clearly.
• This could be due to a corner, hedge or wall that restricts you view.
• Watch your speed and be vigilant.
• Slow down when approaching corners.
• You might not be able to see something that is coming in the other direction or if you go too fast round a corner you run the rick of toppling over.

Driving surface

Be aware of:

• loose gravel
• slippy or wet surfaces
• sloping ground

all of these can alter how your scooter behaves, and you need to drive accordingly

Brakes

Some scooters have a slight delay when you brake. If your scooter has, always brake in PLENTY of time.

Pedestrians and other roads users

• Remember that pedestrians might not see you or hear you approaching.
• This is especially true if you are behind them.
• Look very carefully for other road users and what they are doing before you move off or you change direction.

When driving you mobility scooter on the pavement

ALWAYS give way to pedestrians.

• If you are driving a class 3 scooter – switch it to 4mph before you use a pavement or footpath.

• Don’t necessarily drive at 4mph just because the law says you can. Drive at the speed that is appropriate for where you are.

When driving you mobility scooter on the road

If you want to drive your mobility scooter on the road it must be a class 3 vehicle and have:

• a horn
• flashing indicators
• headlights
• rear lights

Make sure the lights are visible to other road users – especially in bad or wet weather

In the UK you must also register a class 3 vehicle with the DVLA and get a nil duty tax disc.

On the road your mobility scooter is vulnerable. The vehicle will be slower and smaller than the rest of the traffic on the road. Be acutely aware of this.

It is best to avoid busy roads

Mirrors

Use your mirror, but don’t rely on it. If you rely on your mirror

• Other traffic may be approaching you faster than you think they are.
• Mirrors can give a false impression of how far away another vehicle is.

When on the road, you must follow the same rules as other traffic:

You are not allowed to use your mobility scooter on motorways, bus lanes or cycle tracks.

Remember to:

• Keep to the left.
• Obey traffic lights
• Obey road signals and instructions,
• Give way to pedestrians on crossings.
• Use you headlights and rear lights at night.
• Always indicate before pulling out
• Always indicate before turning left or right.
• When you are passing parked cars, look out for doors opening.

Remember that turning right at a road junction when using a mobility scooter can be hazardous.

It can be safer to:

• Turn onto the pavement and use a pedestrian crossing
• Stop on the left of the road and wait for a safe gap in the traffic before crossing the road

I love driving my scooter. It gives me the freedom and independence I really though I had lost. It brought it home to me about safety while driving my scooter when a friend of mine had a very near miss on hers.

She was wearing a scarf that got caught on one of her scooter wheels. Luckily the scarf just came off. It made me think. There is a highway code for mobility scooters and it has some really good advice in it. Have a look below:

What sort of mobility scooter do you drive?

Class 2 – 4mph

• You can’t drive these on the road (you can cross a road but not drive along it).
• You drive these on pavements and footpaths, and they only go up to 4mph.

Class 3 – 8mph

• These have a switch to change the maximum speed they can go.
• When you switch to 4mph you can drive on pavements like a class 2 scooter.
• When you switch them to 8mph you can  drive them on the road.

Before you drive anywhere

• Make sure you have the most appropriate scooter for you.
• Make sure you understand what all the controls do.
• Make sure the battery is full charged
• Make sure you are insured. This is not essential in the UK, according to the law, but it is sensible. You are responsible if you cause an accident, so it is prudent to have insurance.
• Plan your journey in advance – make sure you have enough battery power, the right clothes on, and the route is suitable for you scooter.

Clothing

• The best rule is – See and be seen!
• Make sure nothing you are wearing restricts you view. This is especially important in bad or wet weather and you are wearing a hat, scarf, or hood.
• Make sure other road and pavement users can see you. Does your scooter have any fluorescent markings that will show up and reflect? If you are on the road – put your lights on!
• Never wear loose fitting clothes. If you have a belt or scarf on make sure they are secure and tucked away.

Other things to note

• Don’t let anyone else on the scooter with you. This includes a child sitting on your lap.
• Don’t lead a pet from your scooter. You see this very often, someone taking their dog for a walk on their scooter. However this can be very dangerous. Even a well behaved dog can run off, cause crashes or get scared. If you are on your scooter you are not in a position to immediately take control of the situation.
• Mobility cooters have baskets on the front and you can add storage like bags on the back, or pannier bags. Use them and don’t have bags hanging from you or your scooter. If you do this it will make the scooter unstable and more difficult to control.

To get the most out of your scooter; it can be invaluable to add extra storage and protect yourself (and your scooter) from the weather.

Here is a short summary of some accessories that are available for your mobility scooter.

Bags and baskets

Just like with wheelchairs, bikes and motorbikes; it is your scooter that needs to carry any goods and not you.

Scooter bags can be very spacious and they attach to the back of your scooter seat.

Pannier bags as the name suggests, fit to the side of your scooter. They can also be attached to the side of a wheelchair. They don’t offer as much storage as a bag that fits on the back of your scooter, but they can offer you a storage area that is convenient and you can reach more easily.

Most scooters come with a basket on the front, however you pay prefer a different kind. Baskets generally come in wire or wicker varieties. For extra storage you can also get baskets that attach to the back of your scooter.

Basket bags and basket liners are a good way of utilising the basket on you scooter. They enable you to put small items in your basket without fear of them falling out. They can provide a weatherproof cover for the items in your basket.

Weather protection

Your mobility scooter enables you to get out and about but what will protect you from the rain while you are using it? Wearing a waterproof coat is one way, but a better way is often to use a canopy or cape.

Scooter canopies completely cover you and the scooter; they have windows at the front and sides so you have maximum visibility. They keep the wind and rain off you so you get to your destination dry and not windswept.

They bolt onto your scooter and generally fit larger mobility scooters.

Scooter capes fit over you and your scooter. They usually fasten to your scooter using Velcro and are easy to remove. They have openings for lights, mirrors and mirrors and again protect your body from the wind and rain.

There are many more accessories available for your scooter. They range from walking stick holders and armrests, to storage covers and garages.

If you are thinking of buying a mobility scooter for your grandad or grandmother is a fantastic gift idea as it will enable them to get out and about more. However you do need to remember the most important factor when choosing a scooter is the person.

Ask yourself a few questions first. For example example are they able to stand up and walk a short distance or would they need help getting in and out of the scooter? What would the benefits of a scooter bring to them? If they have a car they may want a small lightweight mobility scooter that they could take with them in the car and use when they reach their destination.

They may prever a pavement scooter for travelling to the shops these are usually limited to a maximum speed of 4mph or they may prefer to go a longer distance on the road and these mobility scooters can travel upo 8mph.