Mobility Scooters
Aquasoothe scooter separates into 3 pieces!
Jul 13th
What splits into 3 pieces and fits nicely onto a British Airways luggage carousel? No, it’s not the shattered dreams of England’s World Cup bid but The Aquasoothe TravelLite, the world’s first truly portable folding scooter.
At a stroke this clever scooter counters what has been a formidable barrier for mobility impaired individuals – taking a scooter on holiday. You can’t underestimate this problem. Even if you’ve got the good fortune to own one of the better scooter brands such as Quingo, Aquasoothe or TGA, what happens if you want to travel further afield and, for example, visit relatives in Orkney? The bottom line is you can’t. Not unless you own a truck, ramp and an ocean going boat capable of lugging quarter of a tonne of scooter without capsizing.
For this reason, portable scooters are increasingly in vogue. They allow people to put a scooter in their car boot, airline hold, train cargo carriage etc and then take it out when they’ve arrived at their destination. For the mobility impaired who need to travel abroad they are a lifeline.
Anyway, the team at Mobility Compared are particularly taken with Aquasoothe’s TravelLite. Why? It’s lighter than a silk gossamer wafting breezily over Keira Knightley’s shoulders. OK, that’s perhaps an exaggeration as it weighs 25 kilogrammes. Yet when it’s taken apart it’s still easily liftable.
With over 25,000 sales already under its belt, the TravelLite is one of the UK’s most popular portable scooters. Here’s a photo of the nifty little thing:
Aquasoothe’s TravelLite – perfect for taking on holiday
We have been asked whether cruise ships take mobility scooters and the answer is ‘yes’. But look, not if they’re tiny 43 berth Alaskan cruisers visiting the Artic on a cosy lecture trip. However, if it’s the ‘Navigator of the Seas’ (as big at the Empire State Building stern to bow), then you can safely assume it will take a mobility scooter. Just remember to ease yourself down the ship ramp with care or you might arrive in Alexandria’s dock at an eye watering 45mph.
For more information on mobility scooters don’t forget to visit Mobility Compare’s scooter Buyer’s Guide and for Aquasoothe’s TravelLite just call 0800 281 271 or visit its website here.
Mobility Scooter Asbo
Jun 16th
It’s happened again.
What exactly? Well, who better than Mobility Compare or BBC News to tell us more:
An elderly man has been reprimanded by police in Essex after causing traffic chaos while driving his mobility scooter.
The pensioner, who has not been named, created a tailback of four miles while travelling along the 70mph road at 8mph.
Essex Police received numerous calls from worried drivers and had to create a rolling roadblock to divert him to safety seven miles away.
Whoops!
The elderly man has now been given a “road Asbo” called a Section 59, usually used for people who are driving a vehicle in an anti-social manner.
Sgt Jason Dearsley said: “Instead of tying up the court’s precious time we decided that the best way to deal with this matter was to use powers given to us normally for dealing with boy racers.
“We see it as an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (Asbo) for road users.”
Class 3 vehicles, which need to be registered with DVLA, are allowed on roads, but not motorways, while Class 2 mobility scooters are not allowed on the road.
Mobility Compare’s reply? Forget Section 59. He should be sectioned across the board!
On a serious note, this sort of problem is happening all too often and until the House of Commons Transport Committee makes some firm recommendations following its public consultation period there will be more than a few accidents. That’s why its recommendations this autumn are so eagerly awaited by everyone in the mobility industry.
On the subject of mobility scooters, one product that keeps catching our eye is Quingo’s 5-wheeled mobility scooter. Created with Advanced Vehicle Concept’s Quintell Technology, what makes these mobility scooters stand out is the fact that the extra wheel makes the scooters unbelievably mobile yet also stable.
Quingo are a superb manufacturer and, based in Luton, hold the flag up high for UK mobility scooters. We’re a serious fan at Mobility Compare simply because 3 wheeled scooters are normally mobile but slightly unstable, whilst four wheeled scooters are normally stable but not hugely mobile – the 5 wheeled scooter offers the best of both worlds.
Quingo’s 5-wheeled scooter
It’s a clever concept and perhaps best of all, Quingo offers a free trial to anyone in the UK. The cost? The 5-wheelers start at £2,795 which, for a state-of-the-art 5-wheeled mobility scooter, is exceptional.
Action urged by MP’s on scooters
Apr 7th
My, what a surprise! An all-party committee of MP’s has decided that action must be taken on mobility scooters. At Mobility Compare we thought the original decision to hold an all-party enquiry in February – which we wrote about here – was signal enough that ‘something must be done’. Obviously not, and after many weeks of deliberating the committee has come out and said….err…. ‘something must be done’.
While not wishing to be patronising, but we will anyway, perhaps the next time Parliament holds a committee into disability and mobility issues, it should first come and have a coffee with us at Mobility Compare. One cappuccino later and we’ll leave them in no doubt that ‘something must be done’ – all for the price of £2 and a muffin thrown in for good measure. They can then save the money and spend it on castle moats, duck houses, chandeliers and a few tonnes of manure. Oh, they already have.
Good advice for a £2 cappuccino and a muffin
The committee (The House of Commons Transport Committee to be exact) has said that with 300,000 scooters on British roads there is a clear need for scooter rules and possibly a fit-to-drive test. Quite so. With Class 3 scooters able to motor along at speeds of 8mph on main roads, the thought of someone seeing no more than three yards or not being able to remember whether they are in Hampstead or Digbeth rings alarm bells.
The BBC went on to quote two incidents – the first was the tragic death of 90 year old Lilian Macey and the second an injury to a toddler in Doncaster. That’s hardly a roll call of dishonour compared to the 600,000 Iraqi’s quoted by the Lancet as being killed in Iraq or the 4,600 ‘unexpected deaths’ in UK hospitals. Still, I suppose it makes the BBC’s copy more ‘alarming’. But one death? Oh dear. As many BBC presenters die each year from strange solitary sex games. I digress.
On a more positive tone, we note that the House of Commons Transport Committee has launched a public consultation ending on May 28th. That’s a clever move, and an intelligent one at that, because it allows individuals, scooter users and manufacturers to put forward their own considered opinions on the matter. That’s a good thing for all concerned and we applaud the move.
Our view? Yes, scooter rules need to be clarified and a fit-to-drive test needs to be made mandatory for Class 3 scooters (road going). We also feel voluntary training courses should also be made available either by the Government or manufacturers themselves. The Government would also do well to remember that mobility scooter users are some of the most vulnerable in society and should not be subjected to severe, draconian legislation. Tread lightly please.
Don’t let your scooter get stolen!
Mar 11th
If you haven’t read the unfortunate case of Albert and Kath Adams, then you should. In short, the couple left their mobility scooter outside their home and a young gang member set it alight. In a tragic turn of events the fire spread to their home, killing them both.
Thankfully the young thug who set fire to both their mobility scooter and home has been arrested and it looks like he’ll be charged.
The case is all too familiar to police up and down the country – a sheltered housing estate comprising retired senior citizens is terrorised by a local gang. Cue courageous individual who tackles the yobs and sends them packing only for them to return and in a supreme act of cowardice attack their car or house. Or in this instance their mobility scooter.
Which brings me to the purpose of this piece. How do you protect your mobility scooter?
Well, the most obvious point is to always garage your scooter, even if you live in a sheltered or gated community. Just put it away. If you don’t have room in your garage then see if you can park it round the side of your property, in a secure yard or even in the back garden. Simply keep it on your property and away from public view.
Most mobility scooters come with covers that protect them from the elements as well as from dust, dirt and scratches. If you have a cover, make sure that it’s thrown over your scooter after each time you’ve used it.
The more hidden your scooter is, the better protected it will be.
Many retired or disabled people, however, don’t have the luxury of a garage, garden or even a yard. Often they live in flats or in blocks with no private space outside their front doors. So what can these people do? Hmmm….
I spoke with a few industry insiders and this is what I was told.
- Some scooters are offered with movement detector alarms and these are worth investing in – they are a very effective deterrent.
- Tracker technology is being investigated by a few manufacturers but, as yet, no manufacturer has offered a scooter with tracker technology.
- Ensure all valuables are out of sight or securely locked away in the vehicle’s lockable storage compartments.
- Above all ensure you have good insurance and make sure you are clear exactly what it covers you for.
All good advice…
As soon as any more information about this comes onto the market it will be posted on my blog. Stay tuned.
Mobility Scooter Accidents – is testing the solution?
Jan 26th
The start to the New Year ushered in the sort of headlines that mobility users could well do without. “A Mobility Scooter Menace?” screamed the BBC as it outlined how recent high-profile mobility scooter accidents had raised concern that drivers can’t be prosecuted.
Unfortunately, it’s all too true that pedestrians have been injured and toddlers knocked down by senior citizens riding mobility electric scooters. One woman, Lilian Macy, died after being hit in September by an errant scooter owner. The problem has now become so severe that in February a committee of MP’s will even begin an inquiry into mobility scooter safety.
Currently, it is difficult for authorities to apportion blame. The Road Traffic Act exempts mobility scooters and this makes it difficult to hold anyone responsible for an accident. While the freedom of the elderly and handicapped is welcome, it would help if safety guidelines are heightened, precautions taken, and some kind of training be given to mobility scooter users before they take to the streets.
Police safety courses are being conducted for mobility scooter owners in some areas, Norwich being a prime example. Users are given training where they can overcome obstacles such as avoiding hitting a mannequin, slaloming around traffic cones, taking sharp turns, and parking correctly. The user’s ability to operate their vehicle is enhanced and their driving skills honed. This ensures the safety of pedestrians and builds the confidence of mobility scooter users.
One must not ignore the fact that lack of confidence or bouts of anxiety attacks are not uncommon among elderly people. Confusing or sudden rapid movements of people in their path may cause them to speed up or knock someone down.
For their part, mobility scooter users need to be aware about the gravity of the situation if and when they can lose control of their vehicles, absent-mindedly backing into a person, or jerking forward suddenly. Driving slowly, carefully, and being alert at all times, especially when there are people around is the secret to safe mobility scooter driving.
Accidents happen all the time, everywhere, and with all kinds of vehicles. What’s important is that safety precautions and traffic rules should be adhered to, both by vehicle drivers and pedestrians. Agreed, there has been a recent spurt in mobility scooter accidents, but what is required is not apportioning the blame, but finding a solution that works for all.
MobilityCompare’s view? Voluntary training courses should be available to all mobility scooter users and made mandatory for anyone over 80 years old.
Photo Caption: An 89 year old man caught travelling at 8mph on the M20 motorway in 2009
British scientists develop tracking technology for mobility scooters
Jan 5th
Mobility electric scooters are a godsend for elderly and disabled users, but they can also become a cause for concern. Why? Elderly people sometimes get disoriented and lost in unfamiliar surroundings. Battery mobility scooters may also run out of charge unexpectedly, and some users have even been known to inadvertently drive their mobility scooters onto motorways and get stuck.
The bottom line is this: how can you track your friend or parent’s mobility scooter when you aren’t with them?
Well, the answer could be at hand. Researchers at De Montfort University (Leicester) and the University of Lincoln are working on a new tracking technology that can prevent users from getting lost.
The device would be fitted on mobility electric scooters and local authority care providers would be able to monitor their location using existing mobile phone technology. Consequently, users would be able to leave their homes without any fear of getting lost. In case of an emergency, they could also be located easily and sent help immediately – vulnerable users would therefore feel secure, even if they were far away.
Once they return home, the device would also automatically connect the mobility scooter to the user’s home telecare network to create an integrated mobility solution.
Dr. Amr Ahmed, one of the scientists leading the project, says, ”The digital era and the increasing number of online services mean that more support is available to help older people maintain a lifestyle that is as independent as possible.”
The project, named ”Integrating mobility vehicles and devices with smart homes”, is funded by the Transport innovation Network (iNet). According to iNet director John Frodsham, ”It’s exciting to think that by integrating some existing and new technologies, possibilities could open up in new applications which will also have a growing societal benefit.”
At the moment this technology is being developed for local authority care providers but, like all socially useful ideas, MobilityCompare hopes it will soon be developed privately and come onto the open market. As soon as we hear we’ll let you know. Watch this space!
Insurance to go…..
Dec 8th
Of all things ‘scooter mobility’, one of the least considered is insurance. That’s right, mobility scooter insurance.
Now when people mention insurance in the same breath as battery mobility scooters, the first thought is that insurance is needed in case of theft. Now whilst that’s correct, what’s less well considered is the fact that scooters need to be insured for personal liability and also accidents.
Alexander Forbes Mobility Risk Services offers three different levels of insurance for mobility electric scooters ranging from £48 to £151 for a single year. That’s not a bad price as it happens.
Some users are adding their mobility scooters to their household insurance and it is true that many household policies provide personal liability insurance of up to £2 million. However, you need to be absolutely sure that if you do use your household cover you’re properly covered as many insurance policies have subtle exclusion clauses.
MobilityCompare can recommend Direct Line, Prudential and Norwich Union who cover mobility scooters at no extra cost (depending on the price of the scooter).
Our key advice is whatever you do, make sure your mobility scooter is covered for theft and personal liability. It is not a legal requirement to do so, but as a famous TV personality would say, “you know it makes sense.”
Our second bit of advice depends on whether you are driving on the pavement or road. If your battery mobility scooter is being used on the road – ‘public highway’ in legal speak – you must legally take out insurance.
Therefore, if you’re using your household policy, check that it covers road use. If not, add it on as an extra and expect to pay up to £100 extra for the privilege.
Our final piece of advice covers all of the above and in one sentence it could be summarised as follows: insure your electric mobility scooter for theft, personal liability and (if applicable) road use. Don’t forget!
Scooter accident
On your marks, get set, go!
Dec 8th
Watching an episode of the comedy hit Benidorm, you’d think all mobility scooter users were eccentric northern women who saw it as a fashionable weapon to mow down aggravating family members whilst careering down narrow alleys.
Even though the series has become very successful, and it is very funny in parts, its portrayal of electric mobility scooters masks the underlying seriousness involved in all things ‘scooters mobility’. You see, far from being an exercise in fun and futility, scooters play a critical role in the lives of their users.
Why? They allow people, who would otherwise need a wheelchair and a carer, to retain their independence and remain mobile. For those of us used to going where we want, when we want, it is difficult to imagine how losing one’s independence and mobility impacts a person.
Not only that, it is difficult to imagine how it affects people mentally, what with all the implications for a person’s self esteem. For these reasons, the recent developments and innovations in battery mobility scooters are of great importance for a significant section of the UK’s population. If you don’t believe me, have a look at how many people search on Google for the words ‘mobility scooters’ – 100’s of thousands.
So what does MobilityCompare recommend? Well, it all comes down to a person’s individual requirements. Our current scooter favourite is the solid Mayan that can carry up to 45 stone and is especially designed for both flat surfaces and hills. Yes, the Mayan is a little more pricey than its competitors at £6k, but what we like about it is that it can go all-terrain – if Rambo had a scooter this is what he’d buy. He’d have to fit a sidebox for his AK-47 though. Seriously, for people in more rural areas, the Mayan is an excellent choice and clearly worth the investment.
However, if you really want to embrace the contemporary trend of the mobility scooter, look out for the U3-X accessory before its owner hits you! Developed by Honda this portable design is still being designed, however the perks of the 22lbs invention are phenomenal. Take a look at the photo of the U3-X below:
A device that is shaped like a figure of 8, a rider can steer the scooter by leaning in the direction they want to go. Correct me if I’m wrong but this sounds like a snowboarding, wakeboarding or surfing technique, but can we really put mobility scooter users in the same league?
Well yes actually. This is simply the 21st century next generation.
Finally, something that has come to our attention at MobilityCompare: as your scooter gets faster and becomes frequently more road-used, you will need to take precautions. It will need lights for instance – both front and tail – and you may want to consider some insurance.
We will look at these aspects in future blogs….
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