What They Don’t Tell You About Buying a Scooter

If you have mobility issues, you may currently have a scooter or wish to purchase one. There are many advantages to scooters, and they can make life much easier for those recovering from surgery or suffering from limited mobility. In addition to giving back your independence, scooters are inexpensive to purchase and don’t look like medical equipment. They are also very easy to transport.

However, in order to make the best decision, it’s also important to look at the disadvantages of this mode of transportation.

Heavy Scooters Make It Harder To Get Around

For true independence, you need to be able to fold up your scooter, pack it in the car and get around on your own. However, some scooters can weigh more than 60 pounds. Older adults often don’t take this into account.

Think about it, that’s the size of a kindergartener. If you’re recovering from an injury, your doctor might not want you to lift more than 10 or 15 pounds. So, if you’re relying on a scooter to give you true independence, consider the weight of a model before you purchase it. Although there are convenient foldable strollers, some of them weigh too much for users to carry around. This makes them less than ideal for many people.

You may want to look at other options such as those  available in our inventory.

Safety and Maneuverability Issues

The weight of the scooter isn’t the only potentially negative feature of poorly designed scooters. In some cases, scooters have a high turn radius, making it difficult to navigate in tight spaces. Others have design flaws that make it awkward to transfer in and out of the scooter.

Scooters That Make Transfers Inconvenient

In order to mount a mobility scooter, you usually put one foot on the base and move around the handlebars to get to the seat. If you have weak legs or poor balance, this can increase your risk of falling. Make sure that the scooter you choose has enough room for you to get in and out of it safely.

Mobility Scooters With Large Turning Radius

When you shop for a scooter, you want to pick one with a reasonable turning radius. If you see a scooter advertised with a 48-inch turning radius, you might need up to 8 feet to fully turn the scooter around. The spacing of the wheels and handlebars requires clearance for a full circle. Consider where you intend to use your scooter and make the right choice for your lifestyle.

There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all model. That’s why All Star Medical & Home Accessibility offers a variety of three- and four-wheel scooters with convenient features.

Shop now to find a scooter that’s just right for you or someone you love looking for true independence and a smooth ride. You can also contact us directly to discuss the features of different scooters in our inventory.