Sunday, April 18th, 2010
Mobility scooters have made a tremendously positive impact on the ability of those with physical challenges to perform their daily activities and participate in social events. Although mobility scooters are intended to be of physical assistance and are not manufactured or designed essentially for speed, many experienced riders already know and enjoy the benefits they receive from their mobility scooter, but they may wish they could move just a little bit quicker. There are a few mobility scooters that are faster than others. Fast mobility scooters might be appreciated by those who use their scooter to run local errands or for those who visit parks, golf courses, playgrounds and other outdoor attractions where a good amount of territory is generally covered at a moderate pace throughout the course of the visit. A fast mobility scooter will allow the user to keep up with friends and family and enjoy many of the same sites.
When we are considering fast as it relates to electric mobility scooters, it is important to note that electric mobility scooters range in power and speed from approximately 5 mph to about 13 mph. The faster models are generally intended for outdoor use as opposed to indoor use, where traveling speed is usually not a very high concern.
As a general guideline, rear wheel drive mobility scooters will tend to be faster than front wheel drive models. Front wheel drive models tend to have a less powerful motor providing power to the front wheel or wheels which pull the rider and the scooter. Whereas a rear wheel drive mobility scooter is driven by the rear wheels which push, as opposed to pull, the combined weight of the scooter and the rider. This motor and wheel configuration also permits the use of a larger motor and therefore distributes more power.
Pride Mobility Products Corporation knows a little bit about speed. This fast growing company was founded in 1986 and has taken the fast track to over $76 million in annual sales! Their brand name is almost synonymous with mobility scooters. Pride Mobility produces a wide variety of mobility scooters that can be used on just about any terrain. Amongst those who have purchased Pride’s brand of mobility scooters are the elderly and disabled including well known celebrities like scientist Stephen Hawking and actor Verne Troyer of ‘Austin Powers’ fame.
Pride Mobility offers a fast mobility scooter introduced as the Wrangler PMV. For approximately $3500 you can be traveling at 10 mph. The Wrangler is a rugged mobility scooter intended for outdoor use. Thirteen inch deep tread tires help to make the Wrangler reliable and fast even on the roughest terrain. It uses two 100AH batteries and has two motors for ultimate traction. The seven inch ground clearance will help to ensure that you don’t get stuck in a tough spot. The rugged construction of the Pride Mobility Wrangler line of mobility scooters does not compromise the comfort and convenience that are incorporated into all of Pride’s designs. The Wrangler comes standard with a high back seat that is available in your choice of size and color and with flip back arm rests and a head rest for comfort. For those who still enjoy golfing but not the travel on the course, additional options available for the Wrangler include a golf bag holder that will turn your mobility scooter into the ultimate golf cart making the Wrangler a fast, convenient and personalized way to get to the 18th hole!
Posted in Motor Cycle | Comments Off
Wednesday, April 14th, 2010
Electric mobility scooters can provide the elderly, disabled, and seriously ill freedom of movement. Mobility is a critical to just about every aspect of everyday living. Having some freedom of movement enhances a person’s capability to learn, earn a living and interact with friends, family and community. A large percentage of people with mobility limitations have permanent disabilities. Many people suffer from conditions that make walking an extremely difficult and painful task including arthritis, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis. These individuals benefit from a variety of mobility aids and devices to assist them in lead fulfilling and active lives. The most popular forms of independently operated mobility equipment are electric mobility scooters and motorized wheelchairs.
A motorized wheelchair is a form of personal transportation that typically has six wheels and is steered using a “joystick” type control mechanism. Other names for the motorized wheelchair include, electric chair, power wheelchair and power chair. A motorized wheelchair is usually equipped with outstanding maneuverability features that make them perfect for use in the home and will generally fit just about anywhere. Motorized wheelchairs are typically for in-door use.
The power mobility provided by electric wheelchairs has made a dramatic difference in many people’s lives. The development of new technology in the industry has made it possible for people to obtain smaller, more lightweight and maneuverable motorized wheelchairs for use inside the home allowing people to move about in small places and complete their activities of daily living without being bed-ridden or sent to nursing homes.
In comparison, electric mobility scooters have either three or four wheels and steer much like a bicycle, using a set of handlebars and hand operated control mechanisms. Electric mobility scooters are ideal for indoor and outdoor activities, as they glide smoothly and easily over a variety of surfaces. There are even portable electric mobility scooters that will fit easily in the trunk of a car.
Electric mobility scooters are reliable, easy to operate, comfortable, safe and do not have the more obvious medical appearance of a motorized wheelchair.
Today’s electric mobility scooters have three or four wheels, a steering column-known as a tiller-with handlebars and hand operated control mechanisms and a platform that supports the seat, battery and the riders feet. Electric mobility scooters are much less physically strenuous than a walker or manual wheelchair. Although the rider of a mobility scooter must be physically able to walk a few steps and have adequate upper body strength and dexterity, they do not require the more substantial amount of strength and dexterity necessary to operate a walker or manual wheelchair. The swiveling captain’s style seat of an electric mobility scooter is typically easier than moving the foot supports of a manual or motorized wheelchair. In addition, Electric mobility scooters are simple to maintain and easily recharged using a standard electrical outlet and charger.
Physical impairments need not prevent someone from participating in daily activities as well as special occasions with family and friends. Electric mobility scooters restore independence and freedom of mobility to help promote an active lifestyle.
Posted in Motor Cycle | Comments Off
Saturday, April 10th, 2010
Mobility scooters make short distance travel easier for someone in need of assistance. Independent travel and daily life become a little easier and enjoyable for the elderly or people with a condition that makes it difficult for them to walk or who may tire easily when walking. For people in need, this motorized scooter not only makes travel easy, it decreases their reliance on others and promotes the continuation of an independent lifestyle. These people may be suffering from the typical symptoms that affect the ability to walk due to the natural process of aging or from a variety of conditions that can make walking challenging and uncomfortable including Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis and Muscular Dystrophy. As long as the rider has some ability to walk a few steps and has adequate upper body strength and dexterity to operate and control the scooter, a mobility scooter can make all kinds of limited travel easy for those once limited to wheelchairs or dependent upon others.
Although manual chairs or walkers also assist those who have difficulty walking, they also put a lot of strain on the upper body, especially the arms and shoulders. Not only can this strain can be eliminated with a mobility scooter, but the individual is much less likely to fall down from a scooter or fall off the seat of the scooter.
Some of the activities those who use a mobility scooter may once again enjoy, even with their afflictions, are exploring shopping malls, department stores, and grocery stores. By alleviating the physical exertion required to walk, a mobility scooter enables the rider to advance through stores and shops without tiring and with the ability to steer their own course. A nice walk down the main street of a village or down a walkway at the park with family and friends need not be missed with the help of a mobility scooter. Sometimes just getting around the house can be difficult, and a mobility scooter can be a valuable source of independence. Those who have difficulty walking but still perform work from a desk at home will find that a mobility scooter serves well as a stationary seat that swivels from side to front to easily accommodate and transport the rider to and from desks, file cabinets and office equipment without absorbing the physical strength needed to walk.
In addition, mobility scooters make travel easy for themselves! The majority of mobility scooters can be disassembled into a few component parts and be stowed easily in the trunk of a car. This makes the mobility scooter especially helpful for outings with friends and family. Breaking down the scooter is not difficult and quite manageable if approached by one or two people with average physical strength and agility. Mobility scooters can be gasoline powered, but you will find the majority are powered by electricity. Electric mobility scooters will either have one or two batteries. These batteries sit onboard the base platform, which also supports the feet and the seat. The batteries are charged with a standard charger using a standard electrical outlet, making recharging easy-and continued travel enjoyable!
Posted in Motor Cycle | Comments Off
Monday, April 5th, 2010
Mobility scooters, as a form of short distance transportation and assistance to those who have difficulty walking, have grown in popularity in recent years. This is in large part due to the reduction in prices by many major manufacturers and distributors of mobility scooters in the UK and worldwide. The increased interest is also the result of the mobility scooter itself being a more flexible and viable alternative option to a motorized wheel chair, manual chair or walker.
Even with its less cumbersome appearance and shape, a mobility scooter does accommodate the needs of many people who may previously had thought a wheelchair was their only option. A mobility scooter is much less expensive than a motorized wheelchair and has a more visually appealing design. However, the rider must have adequate upper body strength and dexterity to operate and manage the movement of the scooter. The movement of a mobility scooter is managed with hand operated controls which are located on the steering column and the steering wheel. If the rider is able to walk a few steps and has sufficient upper body physical abilities, a mobility scooter might just be a welcome solution to overcoming some physical limitations.
A few of the well respected manufacturers of mobility scooters that have distribution centers in the U.K. as well as other areas include Shoprider, Pride and Electric Mobility. All three of these manufacturers offer 3 and 4 wheel models with various features to accommodate different needs including lightweight, midrange and large models. The larger models can go up to 8mph, as opposed to the midrange models which top out at 4 mph.
Some of the accessories that are available for use with a mobility scooter include baskets designed to attach to either the front or the rear of the scooter, crutch holders and crutch holder and walking stick bags and canopies. A canopy is especially useful outdoors and provides shade from the hot sun as well as shelter from rain and wind. Another accessory to consider would be a ramp. Ramps allow for a smooth transition from one surface area to another of a different height easy and are available in many sizes. There are even ramps that fold up to coyly imitate the appearance of a briefcase complete with user friendly fasteners and carry handle.
Mobility scooters range in price from £700 to over £3000. The higher priced models typically include two onboard batteries to provide power to a more powerful motor and are built to accommodate more weight. They may also include convenient accessory features such as baskets, crutch or walking stick holders and cup holders.
London Mobility is a family owned business in the U.K. that distributes a variety of mobility scooters. They are committed to providing those who are less physically able the opportunity to own a high quality mobility scooter at an affordable price. London Mobility also offers reliable pre and post sale customer service and maintenance, as well as free delivery to anywhere within the U.K. mainland.
Posted in Motor Cycle | Comments Off
Sunday, April 4th, 2010
There are a number of different types of mobility scooters. Each has their own advantages and disadvantages, which can be looked at objectively by individual parties and those who are interested in purchasing the items. However, they often can be very expensive. Most people that have looked into purchasing these types of items have noticed that they can be quite an investment. While there are some situations in which an individual’s insurance company will either pay for or help the individual pay for such an apparatus, there are many people that are required to pay for the item on their own if they wish to use one or feel like they are needing such an item in their home in order to help them get around and go from one place to another with a sense of ease and convenience.
Because of the cost, many people will actually be able to benefit from purchasing used electric mobility scooters. These are scooters, powered by electricity which is typically charged for a period of time before the scooter is used to transport the owner, that have been handled before by previous owners. They are discounted in price because they have been used. In most cases, these scooters are still in very good condition and will meet all the requirements that the individual has as for why they need such a device, but the used electric mobility scooters will actually cost much less for the individual. Not unlike the degradation in the value of cars, a used scooter is simply cheaper than a new scooter, and the reason for this is typically not because the scooter works any less effectively than the new model works.
Upon learning this, many people become more interested in the models of used electric mobility scooters that they can purchase, but they may not readily know where they can go in order to purchase one. After all, these devices are seen in public quite often but there are very few scooter stores to which an individual can go and make their purchase. Instead, individuals need to be a little more creative when it comes to trying to find such items.
First, there is the internet. Many people are able to utilize this resource and find a used scooter that they can purchase and have shipped to them. While the internet is a great resource, this is not the only way in which a person can purchase such an item. Instead, they can also look through newspaper classified ads or even place a classified ad informing other readers that they are looking for such an item. If a reader has a scooter that they are willing to sell, they can contact the individual and set up the exchange. Without reading the ad, individuals may have not been thinking about selling the items, but upon reading the ad and knowing that there is a specific need for their item they may be more willing to part with their used electric mobility scooters if they are not longer needed and being used.
Posted in Motor Cycle | Comments Off