Mobility scooters are excellent for helping people stay active and involved in their communities without endangering their safety.
Mobility scooters give seniors and disabled citizens a comfortable way to run errands, visit with friends and other activities.
However, people must take care when they are using a mobility scooter in order to stay as safe as possible.
Here are a few safety tips for mobility scooter riders.
Be Aware of the Terrain Before taking the scooter outside, it is important to know the terrain as well as possible.
Riders should be aware of any potholes, stairs, curves, bumps, uneven places and curbs.
This will keep them safe as they navigate the outdoor area.
If a rider is unfamiliar with the territory, he may find that he is taken by surprise as he is on the scooter, and this could cause him to lose his balance or lose control of the scooter.
If the owner plans on riding the scooter frequently outside, he might need a scooter that has anti-tip protection.
These extra wheels will keep the scooter from tipping over even if he comes across an unexpected bump or curve.
Watch for Others When seniors or disabled citizens are riding scooters, they need to be aware of other people and vehicles in the area.
They should take care not to put pedestrians in danger as they travel along sidewalks or roadways.
They should also keep any eye out for any shoppers that may be exiting stores.
When riding along a busy sidewalk or pathway, the scooter should only travel at the speed of someone who is walking.
This will keep the occupant safe, as well as the people around him.
While it is not ideal, it is sometimes necessary for a motorized scooter to be on a public road, such as when the rider needs to cross the street.
Since scooters sit low to the ground, vehicle drivers on the road may have trouble seeing the scooter and its occupant.
For this reason, owners of mobility scooters need to put a flag on their scooters that stands several feet higher than the scooter.
They should also have reflective triangle on the back of the seat so that they can be seen even when it is dark.
Electric scooters are an excellent way to help people maintain their lifestyles despite their disabilities or limited mobility.
However, owners need to be careful so that they can protect themselves and others.