A man who was hit by a train travelling at 100mph after his mobility scooter got stuck on a level crossing in Essex has escaped with only minor injuries.The accident happened at a level rossing in Church Street, Kelvedon, Essex.

Paramedics were called to the accident at about 11:00 BST on Monday to the crossing in Church Street, Kelvedon. “We believe the man was struck on the level crossing on a mobility scooter and amazingly received minor injuries,” said East of England Ambulance Service. “The man sustained what appeared to be minor injuries, certainly nothing that appeared to be life threatening. “The man was extremely lucky, if he had been only a couple of inches further forward he would have undoubtedly been killed.”

An innovation in Scooter design, the Little Gem is the ideal choice for those looking for a truly Lightweight Mobility Scooter.  Easy to dismantle, the revolutionary ‘Gem-Lock’ system allows for disassembly within seconds – all from the press of a lever. Also, the wireless connections ensure that the Scooter can be assembled as quickly as it was taken apart. This coupled with lightweight components, make sure that no matter where you wish to travel, the Sterling Little Gem will also be along for the ride.

The Little Gem’s Technical Specifications
Little Gem 3 Little Gem 4
Overall Length 36″ / 93 cm 39″ / 99 cm
Overall Width 19″ / 50 cm 19″ / 50 cm
Maximum user weight 250 lbs / 18 st / 113 kg 250 lbs / 18 st / 113 kg
Maximum Gradient 9 degrees 9 degrees
Range 11 m / 18 km 11 m / 18 km
Speed 4 mph / 6 kph 4 mph / 6 kph
Turning Radius 32″ / 76 cm 44″ / 111 cm
Weight 86 lbs / 39 kg including batteries 92 lbs / 42 kg – including batteries
Weight of heaviest part 24 lbs / 11 kg 28 lbs / 13 kg
Battery Capacity 12 AH 12 AH
Adjustable seat height 12″ – 16.5″ / 30 cm – 42 cm 12″ – 16.5″ / 30 cm – 42 cm
Front wheel diameter 7.5″ / 19 cm 7″ / 17.5 cm
Rear wheel diameter 7.5″ / 19 cm 7.5″ / 19 cm
Amazingly Simple
Simple to adjust Simple to get in & out Simple to remove
batteries
Simple to charge & travel
Range given represents test conditions. Please note that temperature, user weight, terrain and battery capacity may affect overall performance.

Sunrise Training and Education Programmes
Sunrise Medical Limited
High Street Wollaston
West Midlands DY8 4PS
England
Phone +44 (0) 1384 446622
Fax +44 (0) 1384 446644

Did you know the first mobility scooter was invented for somebody with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 1968?

Allan R. Thieme invented the first mobility scooter and called it Amigo in his garage, whilst working as a plumber and running his plumbing business. He built the first scooter for a family member who had a loss of mobility due to a relapse multiple sclerosis. The family member was 31 at the time. (This is the most common age for diagnosis of MS)

The scooter was front wheel drive powered by a small electric motor, Purely by need his invention become  the start of something big. He started his own company called Amigo Mobility International Inc. The company continues today and manufacture  active-lifestyle travel models, healthcare and commercial models for both in home and retail environments, and mobility scooter lifts for ease of transport.

A mobility scooter is a great way for those with mobility problems, or are finding it not easy to get around. It ‘easy to use and affordable. Front wheel drive and 3 wheel scooters  are usually called lightweight mobility scooters.  It can take up up to 250 pounds. Larger scooters are suitable for on the road, They can also travel at upto 8mph. The heavy rear disc wheel models can take up to 500 pounds or more. Depending on which mpdel you buy. These are called heavy duty mobility scooters.

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.

Folding mobility scooters are great when you need to store them or put them into the car for transporting. When the scooter is fully folded you need it to go in the boot easily and if the heaviest part is too heavy to lift there are scooter lifts to do the job for you.

There are some important things to remember though when using a folding scooter.

Here are some of them:

• Remember: Anything you loosen to fold the scooter remember to tighten before using it. Always make sure the tiller is locked properly and secure. The tiller is your steering column and it is crucial that is both locked and secure.
• Ensure that if there is something either side of the scooter – for example, the arms – to always adjust them equally. You don’t want to find they are lopsided once you are using the scooter. This could be dangerous foir you, or damage the vehicle.
• Speaking of arms. These are generally designed for comfort, not helping you transfer into and out of the scooter. They often cannot take much weight, but always make sure the arm latches are locked after the scooter has been folded back up, before any weight is put on the arms.
• Before you use the scooter for real, practice folding it down to store it or putting it in the boot. You can take your time to make sure you know exactly how to fold down your scooter and will find the best and easiest way for you.
• Also it is important to identify any ‘pinch points’ your scooter may have. These are places that can easily trap your skin or clothes if you are not aware of them or do not handle your scooter correctly.
• Before you buy your scooter, make sure you (or your assistant) can lift the heaviest part of your scooter.
• Check the area where you are going to store your scooter. Is is suitable and big enough to easily place the scooter? Some compact scooters fold up very small and can be stored inside – even in a cupboard. Some foldable scooters can even be stored vertically – standing on their rear bumpers.

Ok, so you don’t buy a mobility scooter because they look great. You buy one because they enable you to get out of the house more. That is worth more than anything.

I used to use my wheelchair most of the time. This had one problem, the local shops were just that bit too far away. I would go there in my wheelchair, but by the time I got back I was exhausted. This happened once too often. So after much soul searching, I bit the bullet and got a mobility scooter.

After that – life changed. I still use my wheelchair, but not in the same way. Now when I want to go to the shops, I zoom there (well trundle) in my scooter. When I get home I am not exhausted, I am ready for my next challenge; not my bed.

I am stubborn; I don’t like to ask for help. I don’t want to ask my wife to go to the shops for a newspaper or more milk. I want to go myself; without it taking every last ounce of my strength to do so.

My cousin only lives 1 mile away. That doesn’t sound far, but it is like 20 miles away to me in my wheelchair. This time last year I hardly ever saw him. Now, with my scooter, I can go and see him whenever I want. I don’t have to wait (and wait!) for him to come and see me.

I used to think mobility scooters were for elderly people. To be honest, I thought they were a bit naff. Since getting one, I don’t care what they look like. The most important thing is that my scooter gets my independence back, it gets me mobile. It gets me out doing the things I used to do. I can visit friends, go to the shops. I no longer sit at home waiting for help, doing things for myself is no longer just too difficult.