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. 

Buying a mobility scooter online

Thinking of purchasing a mobility scooter online?

With the progression of online shopping for mobility aids it comes as no surprise that it is now really easy to buy a mobility scooter using the World Wide Web.

Gone are the days when you had no choice other than to visit a mobility aid shop in order to buy a scooter or powered wheelchair.

If you are considering going down this route we feel there are some important points which you should be aware of, this article has been written to hopefully help you with what is an important decision as to whether to buy online or should you stick with a local "bricks and mortar" type dealer?

Why do people buy mobility aids and scooters from an online store?

As with most commodities that can be purchased online there are two main reasons.

1) Online shopping is really convenient. You can buy almost anything from the comfort of your armchair using little more than a computer, an internet tablet, or a device such as one of the latest smart phones. No longer do you have to make a journey to a particular "high street" shop that may or may not be close by.

You can also shop online at a time that suits you, internet sites run 24 hours a day and almost never close, so if you want to buy something late at night, early in the morning, or on a Bank Holiday you can do so.

Most brands of mobility scooters can now be purchased in this way.

2) The second reason is because you can usually buy products cheaper online than in a traditional store.

There are a few exceptions, but internet shopping has resulted in fierce competition between mail order sellers, the result being is that the prices of mobility aids have been driven down which is great news for the customer.

But is buying online the best option when shopping for a new mobility scooter?

If you know exactly what you want, down to an exact brand and model of scooter then things become a little easier, if however you have certain needs and consider it a must to see a unit "in the flesh" first, then buying online may not be the best option. 

As one of these items of transportation is aimed at those that are infirm or unsteady on their feet, it may be wise to at least see one in a shop where you can also sit on it and try it out for size?

When it comes to buying a battery powered mobility scooter it is not only the size and seating position of the machine that matters, features and specifications between all the different brands and models could help you make your mind up as to which one is best for you overall.

Something's to consider are:

• Maximum speed the scooter can reach, do you need 8mph or is 4mph adequate?
• Distance / Running time. How far do you need the scooter to go before recharging is needed?
• On-board lights, do you need indicators or a headlamp and tail light?
• Do you need to carry anything on-board? perhaps a shopping bag or a walking stick?
• Would a front mounted basket be useful? Think about a trip to the local shop or newsagent?
• Battery recharging time. Do you need a model with a fast battery charger?
• Size of the mobility scooter. This is important if you only have a small space to store it in.
• Terrain the scooter will be used on. Large diameter wheels will cope with kerbs easier than small ones
• Operator controls. See if they suit you, are they easy to use?
• Colour choice. You should pick a colour that you like!

Getting back to thinking about buying a mobility scooter online....

Above we have mentioned a few negatives with regards to buying via the web, so now we feel it's time to point out some benefits. 

By buying online you can usually save money over and above the price you will have to pay at a normal mobility shop. Shopping online can also be less stressful, having no commission sales people to pressure you into buying what they want to sell you! 

We've already mentioned convenience as regards shopping hours (a website takes orders around the clock!). The same goes for removing the need to travel whatever distance to your nearest mobility aid dealer.

So is there anything we've not yet mentioned?

A real deciding factor has to be customer service and after sales. Occasionally it can be best to see what you are buying - before you buy it! How many times have you heard someone say "I wish I'd never of bought it"? or,"I wish I'd bought the other one!". 

Mistakes in buying the wrong brand or model of scooter can be reduced by doing some research and not jumping straight into buying the first model you come across. 

As regards customer service (and we really mean pre-sales help) it really can make sense to see the exact model you are thinking of buying before you lay out your money for what is a big investment in your life. 

The same goes for choosing a model that suits your individual needs. 

A local dealer should be able to answer all of your questions and ultimately recommend a machine that is the best one for you.

If you need a model to cover say 5 miles before recharging then make sure in advance that your preferred scooter will do this! 

Do you live in a UK village or a seaside resort? if you do is the terrain and footpaths mobility scooter friendly? Some are and some are not, one worthy of mention is Skegness, this Lincolnshire resort has to be one of the most wheelchair and mobility scooter friendly resorts that you will find anywhere in the UK.

If the place you live in is not scooter-friendly then consider a large chassis sized model which has large diameter wheels fitted, it will cope far better with rough surfaces and paths than the smaller models that are freely available which have tiny wheels fitted as standard equipment.

These are just a couple of points which are easily addressed if you decide to visit a local mobility shop instead of buying online.

Aftersales service:

So you have decided now is the time to buy a battery powered mobility scooter. 

You have paid for the machine and are either having it delivered or you are collecting it in person. 

When buying online your purchase will probably turn up assembled and with a user manual. This will explain how to charge the battery and the essential user controls. 

But, buying from a local stockist will usually let you benefit from having the batteries charged in advance, an explanation of the controls by a member of staff, and advice and help in looking after your new purchase. 

You need to weigh up what you need, and then decide where to buy from!

A big bonus in dealing with a local mobility aid shop is if you need repairs and servicing - after you have taken delivery of your new scooter. 

A local dealer can normally offer a routine maintenance service as well as essential ongoing repairs such as tyre replacements and the fitment of new batteries. 

If your scooter develops a fault what would you like to happen? An online shop cannot help you here, you will be left on your own, but a local dealer will normally arrange a collection of the faulty machine and deliver it back to you afterwards.

To sum up, for the cheapest purchase price we recommend you buy online. 

You will save money and can really pick up a mobility scooter at amongst the cheapest prices you will find anywhere. 

But if personal pre-sales and aftersales service is a necessity, you should look to consider whether your local mobility shop is a better option.