Protecting Your Mobility Scooter

Protect Your Mobility Scooter This Winter

Protect your scooter from rain and snow by buying an inexpensive protective cover

With the season of winter well and truly with us in the UK (as well as most parts of Europe) it's time to make sure that your mobility scooter (or powered wheelchair) is protected from the harsh weather elements that winter can throw upon us. 

Unless you are fortunate to have a garage or a car canopy at your home, the easiest and cheapest way to protect your mobility scooter is by buying a protective cover.

Mobility Scooter Rain Covers (and which protect it from snow as well) are simple to fit, being placed over the top of your scooter (like a motorcycle cover) and then pulled down towards  the ground on the front, the back, and on both sides.

Some rain covers have an elasticated bottom edge that holds the cover snugly around the lower half of your scooter, some others have a simple retaining belt that holds the cover really tight in place.

When looking to buy a mobility scooter rain cover you want one that is easy and straight forward to fit, and which can be fitted without having to bend really low down to fasten it.

A good cover to consider buying is this rain cover that is available from Amazon.

This particular cover is inexpensive and yet can keep the harsh winter weather from damaging your valuable mobility scooter.

It can keep your scooter from getting wet when it rains, preventing it rusting and deteriorating. A rain cover also protects the much needed electric parts on your scooter, in particular the key switch and speed control.




Protecting your mobility scooter from theft

A rain cover does not only protect your electric mobility scooter from the weather, it can also help protect it from theft. By covering your scooter up from prying eyes it makes it less vulnerable to an opportunist thief.

A clean mobility scooter is more pleasurable to use

Most owners of electric mobility scooters take pride with keeping their scooter in a good clean working condition. A protective cover can help not only with protecting your scooter from deteriorating in-condition electrically and mechanically, but can keep it clean for when you want to use it.

As with cars and motorcycles, most owners find a clean means of transport more pleasurable to use, after all would you rather pop down to the shops or out to see friends and family on a clean mobility scooter or one that is dirty?

Not using your scooter for a while?

Some owners choose to store their electric mobility scooters for periods when they don't need to use them. This could be if the weather is really bad over winter, or if they choose to go on holiday and need to leave their scooter at home. If you are not using your mobility scooter for a while it makes good sense to keep it covered-up and protected from the weather, and in this scenario a rain cover is ideal.

What's this blog all about?

Read our online blog on mobility scooters

Our blog has been launched online to provide you with useful details and information relevant to mobility scooters. 

We will feature information on some of the latest models of mobility scooter that you can buy, accessories that you can buy to get the most from your scooter, security devices, and lots more.

We will also be providing details related to where you can hire a mobility scooter in the UK

Do you need the temporary use of a mobility scooter whilst you are on holiday? perhaps for a family holiday in a popular seaside resort such as Blackpool, Cleethorpes, Mablethorpe, Ryhll, or Skegness? or maybe you need an electric scooter to help you get around the resorts that are in Great Yarmouth, or the lovely southern UK coastal resorts that can be found in Cornwall and Devon?

If you do - we aim to help you, providing helpful information on the best places where you can hire a mobility scooter from for your holiday.

(Read how the UK Government wants our seaside resorts to open-up for mobility scooter users - you can read the article on this here)

What is a mobility scooter?

A mobility scooter is classed as a type of mobility aid, equivalent almost to a powered wheelchair, but in a configuration that is similar to a motor scooter or a small to medium sized quad bike. 

Occasionally this type of vehicle is referred to as a battery scooter as well as an electric scooter, this is because all mobility scooters operate off a rechargeable battery pack, as can be found under the bonnet of cars and leisure vehicles such as electric golf carts and golf buggies.

How many wheels are they on a mobility scooter?

Most mobility scooters have 4 wheels, but there are also several brands and models that you can buy that have 3 or 5 wheels. 

For stability 4 or 5 wheels is best, giving the rider a good level of comfort as well as safety when travelling over bumpy surfaces, uneven ground, and when climbing or descending down ramps and pathways. 

A three wheeled mobility scooter can be stable in most conditions such as when being used on tarmac and concrete pavements - but overall they are not as stable as a four or five wheeled scooter.

Do mobility scooters have a steering wheel?

No, all mobility scooters that can be purchased or hired in the UK are supplied with fitted handlebars - just along the lines of what you will see on a traditional motor scooter or push bike. 

This is the best option for this type of mobility aid allowing easy steering whilst also giving the operator full control of the main controls for braking and adjusting the speed of the scooter. 

How is the speed adjusted and regulated?

This varies from one brand of mobility scooter to another - but usually the speed is controlled by way of a lever or button control that is similar to a brake lever on a push bike. 

Some models have a speed control knob on a handlebar mounted console, a few have a twist grip type of speed control. The industry standard controls though are the twist type speed control and the lever / button controls. 

Depending on the exact make and model of mobility scooter that you are going to buy or hire - the way that you vary and adjust the speed can vary, but all are easy to operate and use. 

With a twist grip type scooter you twist the handlebar control to set off and speed up, and turn it the opposite way to slow down, brake, and stop. 

With a lever type control this can work in several ways but usually you pull on the lever to set off and accelerate, releasing pressure on the lever when you want to slow down and stop. 

Some models of electric mobility scooters use a lever on the left side of the handlebars as well, this could be a control to reverse the scooter or it could be a stand-alone brake control. 

Models that have a thumb push control work similar to the details just mentioned - but their operation can vary from one make of scooter to another. 

Buying Tip.... If you have arthritis or have limited use of your hands and fingers - take this into account when shopping to buy your new mobility scooter. 

The same applies if you are going to rent a scooter for a short period of time. Take a little time in choosing the right brand and model ensuring its the right scooter to meet your individual needs.

How do you brake and stop on a electric mobility scooter?

The exact type of braking system on a battery powered mobility scooter can vary from one make and model to another. 

Most though use a braking system that is combined with the electric motor and speed controller. 

This is commonly an electrical, electronic, or a combined electro-mechanical form of braking where the electric motor is utilised to quickly slow down or bring the scooter to a rest. 

It is an efficient and safe system that also prevents a scooter from rolling back or forward when it is parked. 

Regenerative braking - some of the top specification and high quality scooters now utilise regenerative braking. This tops-up the scooters rechargeable battery as the brakes are applied - giving the scooter a greater travelling range between recharges. 

Manual brakes - some models also have traditional type manual brakes, these are in addition to the types mentioned above. 

The exact configuration and specification of any manual brakes fitted can differ from one model of scooter to another, some may have just a manual parking brake, others may have additional brakes in the form of one or more disc brakes, these are usually cable operated to keep maintenance schedules to a minimum.

Parking Brake - some models are supplied from your mobility aid shop or dealer with a fitted dedicated parking brake as standard. 

Most of these brakes work by way of a metal lever that pushes down onto one of the rear wheels.

Buying Tip.... If you live on a hill or need to regularly leave your electric mobility scooter on a steep path or driveway, think about buying a model that has a parking brake. 

Some makes and models of scooters will have this supplied as standard, whilst it may be a dealer fitter option on others.

What powers a mobility scooter?

All mobility scooter models are driven by an electric motor, this is powered by a rechargeable battery pack that will be mounted somewhere on the scooter itself, usually on the chassis under the seat or floor area.

The battery power is measured in the unit of voltage with most scooters having a total voltage power of either 12v or 24 volt. 

This is usually by way of the fitment of a single 12v battery or two 12v battery packs that are linked together. 

The running time of the battery pack will be rated in amp hours (Ah) - this is the capacity size of the battery and dictates along with other things the "running" time of the scooter. 

In simple terms the greater the Ah size of the battery - the longer running time it will have compared to a smaller battery size.

The rechargeable battery pack that in turn powers a scooters electric drive motor will need charging-up on a regular basis, otherwise the onboard battery pack will run flat rendering the scooter unrideable.#

When you buy or hire a mobility scooter you will be supplied with a suitable battery charger unit, this must be used inline with the manufacturers instruction guide book to give you the best running time and service life from the fitted battery.

Can you buy replacement batteries and battery chargers? 

Yes, if the battery pack or battery charger has worn out or broken - you can easily buy a new one. 

Depending on the physical size of the battery fitted to your electric mobility scooter you may also be able to uprate the  battery for a larger - longer running capacity one. 

The same applies for the battery recharger, new replacement ones can be purchased to suit any brand and model of scooter. 

Modern "fast charge" ones are available too that can speed up the recharge time of your battery pack.

Is there a best buy or recommended mobility scooter you should buy?

Whilst there are many mobility scooter and mobility aid shops in the UK that advertise a best buy or top recommended scooter - it really is down to buying a model that suits your individual needs as well as possibly your budget. 

We would like to think that the cost of buying a mobility scooter should be determined solely by you buying the right model for your needs with regards to getting you mobile, but more often than not the price you pay needs to be considered too. 

Sometimes the cheapest mobility scooter is the right one, sometimes it is not, what is really important is that you choose a model that will do what you need it to. 

This could be a scooter for popping down to the local supermarket, for a ride to see neighbours and friends, or it could be to cover a wide range of travelling including trips to the city, town, or village centre, to the local park, the social or sports club, and much more.   

Mobility Scooter Insurance

Our long experience with Mobility Scooter Insurance means that our staff can fully appreciate the need to help you should you suffer theft of your scooter, vandalism, damage, or a breakdown.

If your battery powered mobility scooter (or powered wheelchair) is stolen you know you can call upon the help of a UK insurance company to help you.

Most purchasers and owners of mobility scooters do not recognise the need to buy suitable insurance cover until after an event has occurred. 

It is only after experiencing the theft of their beloved scooter or being involved in an accident when insurance cover normally comes to mind.

With regards to accidents and of course personal injury it is essential to protect yourself with a mobility scooter insurance policy.

For just a few pounds per week you can have suitable cover which will also give you peace of mind in the event that you ever need to make a claim.

When shopping around or searching in Google for mobility scooter insurance you should consider the following:

• Accident cover. With a cover value that offers at least £100,000 personal injury claim value.
• Theft cover. Depending on the age of your scooter with new for old cover.
• Mobility Scooter Breakdown cover. With recovery and assistance should your scooter suffer a mechanical or electrical fault and break down. 
• Vandalism. With a combined recovery and repair service included. 
• Temporary hire cover. To cover the supply of a "loan mobility scooter".
• Loss of keys cover. To insure against the fitment of a new controller switch with keys. 
• Legal expenses cover. To insure you against any relevant legal fees. 
• Cover to "get you home". If your scooter is stolen or breaks down away from your place of residence then this insurance cover will cover the costs to get you home. (usually by way of a taxi). 

Insurance Excess Amounts: 

Some insurance policies dictate an excess when you take out mobility scooter insurance. 

This can vary from one UK insurance company to another. We recommend you compare several companies prior to taking out insurance cover on your powered wheelchair or battery powered mobility scooter. 

Mobility Scooters Buying Guide

The purchase of an electric powered mobility scooter is a big step that can help a lot of people keep their independence if they suffer from mobility problems.

The use of an electric (rechargeable battery) powered mobility scooter means you don't have to rely on a family member or a carer to help you, it gives you the freedom of being able to visit friends and family, or pop to the shops. They are easy to use, simple to maintain and also economical to run requiring just a few hours charge of the scooters battery to be up and running. The decision of which electric mobility scooter to buy can be daunting. However, an electric mobility scooter is a purchase that you can enjoy for many years and can transform your life greatly, so taking the time to do your research and shopping around for the best price is a worthwhile investment.

To make your decision making easier we have selected a range of electric mobility scooters from the UK's leading brands. You can use this guide to help identify which particular electric mobility scooter is right for you.

Mobility Scooter Hire - Sales In Skegness

Are you looking to buy or hire a mobility scooter in Skegness?

If so you have come to the right place! We feature details on where you can buy or hire an electric mobility scooter to suit your individual needs and requirements, and at an affordable price.

Are you planning a holiday in the seaside town of Skegness in Lincolnshire? Are you planning on stopping in a caravan, in a hotel, or on a holiday site in Boston, Skegness, or Ingoldmells? If so why not hire a machine for the duration of your holiday break?

You will find a choice of different models of mobility scooter hire can be obtained with a fast delivery and collection service to your required address throughout Skegness.

The Lincolnshire seaside resort of Skegness is easy for people to get around whom have a mobility problem. The area is mostly flat making it suitable for visitors and tourists that need a powered wheelchair or electric scooter to get around.

Wide pavements, paths, and access to Skegness's attractions will allow you to make the best of time whilst stopping in this resort.

More Details On Skegness Mobility Scooter Hire

Do you live in Skegness and have decided to buy an electric mobility scooter or powered wheelchair?

If so you have come to the right place!

Our website features popular makes and models of electric powered wheelchairs as well as mobility scooters to buy - and at good cost savings over many mobility aids shops prices.

Buying A Mobility Scooter At The Cheapest Price

If you are looking to buy a Mobility Scooter at amongst the cheapest prices available on-line you have come to the right place!

The process of choosing and buying a mobility scooter should be easy and straight forward with you being able to pick and buy the right model you want to suit your individual needs, and the also your budget.

Once you have made the decision to buy a mobility scooter we believe it should be simple and stress free to find the scooter you need or want - and at a competitve price amongst the cheapest you will find.

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Buying a cheap mobility scooter on-line does not mean you are buying a poor quality model. By searching our featured brands and models you can save money over other dealers and shops prices and get the model you want but at a lower price. 

Looking to buy a new Days Strider or Pride model of scooter? or perhaps one of the latest four (4) wheeled high stability models from Quingo? You can save money by purchasing one on-line here!

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Do you need a mobility scooter to get around on and improve your quality of life but can't afford a new one? 

Why not consider the purchase of a used mobility scooter instead?  

With a little searching on our site you will find a selection of different brands and models that can be bought with a good cost saving off the new price!

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Do you have a secondhand mobility scooter you wish to sell? Do you need to sell a relatives used machine?

If you no longer have a need for the used mobility scooter you own consider advertising it for sale on our website?

We offer cheap prices for advertising your used machine with a fixed single price charged for a scooters advert for a period of up to 6 months!   more details

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