Thursday, January 14, 2010

Power Through Life With Battery Mobility Scooters

By Bill Measures

Do you find yourself getting out less and less? It may be something you have already given some though to, but if not a battery mobility scooter may be just the thing for you. These feature a comfortable and supportive seat fixed over the two rear wheels. Handlebars are at the front and there is usually a level are in between for your feet and bags. Most models have a seat that turns outwards making mounting and dismounting a bit easier with reduced mobility in your hips.

They typically have a tiller with forward and reverse, as well as variable speed controls. These controls are mounted on the steering column and can be activated with a switch, a lever, or occasionally paddles. There are a few petrol-powered models on the market, but these are rapidly being replaced by battery powered models, given the simplicity and ever increasing efficiency of the electric motors. It goes without saying that electric models are also much more preferable from an environmental perspective.

Battery mobility scooters are generally rear wheel drive and a charged via connection to an external power supply. When looking at their advantages and disadvantages, they really have to be contrasted against electric wheelchairs.

It should be recognized that their main rival for your hard earned money is a conventional electric wheelchair. It has to be said that their core appeal has to be that they are not actually wheelchairs!

They offer similar mobility advantages and are particularly suitable for those of us who lack the necessary shoulder flexibility and upper arm power to use a standard wheelchair. It is also a lot easier to work the swivelling seat mechanism than it is to adjust the footrests on a standard wheelchair. Their natural market is among people suffering from system disease, with general disability, but who are still able to sit in the necessary position without the need for additional support.

Battery mobility scooters are, however, hindered by their considerable size. They are much longer than wheelchairs, greatly increasing their turning circle. They are also not suitable for use in lifts and in combination with public transport. Whilst requiring less strength than conventional wheelchairs, they do still require a fair degree of strength and stability. They also have limited ground clearance, making them unable to negotiate some obstacles such as curbs.

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