When it started getting difficult for me to walk, I wish I had taken the plunge and got help sooner. I carried on struggling for too long. I suppose I thought that things would get better. I didn’t realise that I was just making things harder for myself.

I found that I wasn’t going out as often. I definitely wasn’t going as far as I used to. I wasn’t getting the same joy from life that I used to. It was only when I started feeling trapped in my own home that I knew I had to do something to help me get out of the house more.

I could walk, but not far. I felt a scooter was the best option for me. I didn’t want one though. It felt like giving in and I didn’t want my disability and age to win. It is only now that I realise that it is me who has won. My disability is no longer in control of me. It doesn’t stop me getting out of the house. In fact I think I go out more now, as it is so easy. Much easier than before.

At first using my mobility scooter was strange. I have never been a car driver, so it felt like I was travelling at a million miles an hour! I wasn’t though. It could go a maximum of 4mph, and people can walk that fast. Once I got used to the controls it was easy. I had a practice in my road. It is a cul-de-sac and nice and quiet. I very quickly mastered going backwards, forwards, turning round and braking. I learned about the indicators, lights, and importantly found where the horn was and how to use it.

My husband said he would drive in the car and meet me at the local library. It was only about 2 miles away, and I loved that first journey on my scooter. I knew exactly what route I was going to take, checked everything on my scooter – and drove off. Once I got used to feeling like I was going too fast, I felt exhilarated to be mobile and free. I was driving on the pavement, but found it easy to navigate up and down kerbs and around people.

Before long, I was there. My husband was grinning from ear to ear. He knew I could do it, and was so pleased that my first trip had been such a success. We stopped for a coffee, and then I made my way back.

Nowadays, I go to all sorts of places on my scooter. It really has changed my life. I am in control again.

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.

With users of mobility products being less mobile, it makes perfect sense to have good websites that sell these products online. You don’t need to traipse around the shops looking for what you need. You can browse at your leisure and in the comfort of your own home. You can even view brochures of each model without the need to carry them around.

There are many advantages to buying a mobility scooter online, here are some guidelines and tips:

Product description

Check that all the details that you need to know are there. Here at Scooters UK we provide every ounce of information we have about each scooter online,  details are  important so we make sure we display all the details we have in an accessibble format to meet the needs of disabled and elderly people.

Scooter details include:

• colour
• size
• weight
• manufacturer

Photos

Photos of the product are invaluable when shopping online. They help you decide that the product is right for you and exactly what you are looking for. Sometimes a website will show more than one image of a product which is even more useful

Videos

Always look at a video of the product if one is available. These can show a product being used, and really show you the size of a product or how easy they are to use.

VAT

Disabled people don’t pay VAT when they purchase a mobility scooter. Not all mobility equipment and aids are exempt from VAT though. The website clearly states whether a product has to include VAT or you can qualify to not pay the VAT on the item.

What is the cost of post and packing?

We do not charge post and packing or delivery charges for Mobility scooters.  Delivery is free to anywhere in the United Kingdom. We also offer order tracking so you can monitor the delivery status and ensure you are at home when the new mobility scooter is being delivered.

Security

When making you purchase, you can make sure that the website you are using is safe and secure. Look at the bar at the top, where is has http://www. then the name of the website. On the page where you enter your bank card details, thischanges from http://www. to https://www. The ‘S’ stands for secure. You can also look at the bottom right of the screen, and a little padlock will appear. This also can indicate that the page is secure.

Returning goods

There are special rules for returning goods that you have bought online. These have been designed as unlike in a shop, you buy a product online without actually seeing it in person.

You can always return a product that you have bought online, and be refunded for the cost of the item. However, if the product has been customized or personalised in any way it is then exempt from being able to return it – unless it is faulty or damaged when you receive it.

Remember to always check items carefully when you receive them. For example damaged packing could indicate the parcel has been damaged.

We are happy to help you make your purchase and if you feel happy dealing ith somebody over the phone then please call us for an informal chat and we will do all we can to help you.

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.

The House of Commons Transport Committee is looking for more data on the use of scooters to be collected. Following a spate of recent accidents from uninsured users. It is estimated that there are a quater of a million  people using mobility scooters in the UK.

Tim Muffett on the BBC news reported that “Mobility scooters are a Godsend for some and a potential menace for others. Mobilty scooters can create freedom and independence as well as cause accidents.Now the controls on a scooter are fairly steaighforward to use, but some scooters can travel at up to 8mph on the roads and pavements, and to use one you don’t need any training you don’t need any tests and you don’t need to be insured. ”

Disablity Essex is a charity that runs training courses to improve scooter skills. Richard Boyd Chief Exec of Disability Essex “It’s a free for all, anybody can sell them, anybody can buy them, anybody can drive them, nobody checks that they are insured.”

Most mobilty scooter users don’t have accidents, but if they do they can be serious, even fatal. Suprisingly, perhaps there is no official data to the number of mobility scooter accidents or even the number of scooteers in use. This charity believes around 200000 have now been ridden in the UK. Todays report by the House of Commons Transport Committee, urges clarification on this. It also says that the Dept of Transport should spell out who is fit enough to drive a scooter in the first place.

Stuart Kirk, Chief Tutor of Disability Essex. ” A lot of people think there is only 1 speed control, and therefore put it on maximum, even when they are in the middle of a store -and cause total mayhem. Even when they are going backwards!”

The prospect of local schemes like this being rolled out on a national basis should also be considered according to the Transport Committee. For whatever reason some seem to find it hard to take mobility scooters seriously. However  the Transport Committee report says that this needs to change.

This is a transcript of Tim Muffets report for the BBC.

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.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common disabling neurological condition affecting younger people. Usually a person is diagnosed between the ages of 20 to 40. Therefore most people are diagnosed around the age of 30. It is estimated that there are 100 thousand people in the UK  that have been diagnosed with MS. It usually affects more women than men. Typically two women for every one man.

The most common type of MS is called relapsing remitting (RRMS) in which the disease will cause a flare up of symptoms during relapse and these can fade during remission.  Another person may be diagnosed with primary progressive MS and the symptoms remain and do not disappear.

The disability is caused by the attack on the central nervous system (CNS). MS attacks the myelin sheath which is the coating of the nerves. During an attack a person with MS can be faced with a wide range of symptoms ranging from blurred vision, difficult walking, slurred speech, incontinence.

Most people with MS do not want to think about disability for as long as they can (For a very good reason!!!) however it is best to be prepared should the person with MS need mobility aids, mobility equipment or a mobility scooter. For example an early symptom of MS maybe pins and needles or a burning senstation in the feet, whilst this  may not sound too bad a symptom for an able bodied person, but have your tried walking when you cannot feel your feet and all you can feel is a constant tingling or thobbing sensation?

This is when the person needs help and if they need to walk a fair distance a mobility scooter is the ideal way of getting around without causing pain or discomfort let alone the risk of falling over. Most people cannot imagine using a mobility scooter in their thirties however there are a wide range of good looking scooters available on the market today to suit most peoples needs.

So my advice would be don’t struggle and enjoy the freedom and safety that a mobilitty scooter can bring.

A new idea by police in Newport, Gwent is to install high pitch personal attack alarms to disabled and elderley persons mobility scooters, walking frames and walking sticks. The idea was  first raised by PC Dave Castree after speaking to local residents.

The fear of feeling vunerable or being attcked when out and about on a scooter sparked the idea to fit personal alarms that are easy to use by the click of a button to activate the alarm and deter any potential attacker.

The confidence and independence of disabled or elderly people is very important and this simple measure is providing confidence to users of mobility scooters when they go out.