MOBILITY SCOOTER GUIDE
At Lifestyle Mobility we aim to give you the freedom to live independently.
Whether you have a disability or trouble walking our range of mobility scooters & power chairs are designed to help you get where you need to go.
We strongly believe that everyone has the right to remain an active member of the community. Over the coming years we will see more and more mobility devices in use all around us.
It is essential that mobility scooter users do their part to keep themselves safe. This guide has been designed to assist you understand your mobility scooter or powerchair better and the best practices on the road.
DISCLAIMER: This guide is designed to help pedestrians using motorised mobility devices. It is intended as a guide only. It does not purport to set out the full requirements of the law. For a complete knowledge of the road law, you should consult the appropriate Acts and Regulations in your State or Territory.
HOW ARE MOBILITY SCOOTERS CLASSIFIED?
A mobility scooter is not classed as a motor vehicle and therefore does not need to be registered.
When driving a mobility scooter, you are classed as a motorised pedestrian in most states. This means that the road rules you would follow as a pedestrian would apply to your use of a mobility scooter.
For example, if you were a pedestrian you would use a footpath if one was available.
WHO CAN USE A MOBILITY SCOOTER OR POWERCHAIR?
Mobility scooters are designed to help people with disabilities or anyone who struggles to walk. They are a
fantastic option for people who can’t drive and are stuck at home for the majority of the time.
Mobility scooters give you the freedom to live independently and there are many different kinds for different uses. At Lifestyle Mobility we ensure our range of Mobility Scooters are designed for individuals’ specific needs.
WHICH MOBILITY SCOOTER SUITS ME?
Mobility scooters vary and all have different purposes. At Lifestyle Mobility we ask you a number of needs- based questions to ascertain which kind of scooter would suit you.
Small Portable Scooters
these pull apart and can be put into the boot of a car. They’re great for anyone who still uses a car but wants to be able to use the scooter inside a shopping centre, or for shorter trips around the park on relatively smooth surfaces.
Mid-Sized Mobility Scooters
are a budget option for anyone who is looking to be able to get out of their house and drive outdoors. The mid-sized scooters can be driven for 35km-40km on one charge!
Large All Terrain Mobility Scooter
are a fantastic option for those who would like an extra level of comfort. They come with 4-wheel suspension which makes them a dream to drive. They can be driven for 50kms on
one charge and are equipped for handling the roughest of terrain with ease.
Travel Mobility Scooters
are easily transportable, fold up and can be wheeled along like hand luggage. If you are wanting to travel on a plane or go on a cruise, these are the scooters for you! They come with lithium batteries and are aeroplane certified. Enjoy your holiday pain free with one of our Travel Scooter options.
Power Chairs
Like the travel mobility scooters, these power chairs fold up easily and can be wheeled along. They have lithium batteries and are aeroplane certified. These chairs have a fantastic turning circle. They are able to completely turn around in one position. Great for indoors as well as travelling. You can’t get a
better all-purpose machine.
Smart Shopper Mobility Scooters
The Smart Shopper is the easiest and most convenient way of being able to do your weekly shopping independently. Not only can this scooter get you out and about, it can also carry a load in the front basket of 100Kgs! Now that’s smart shopping!
KEY FEATURES OF MOBILITY SCOOTERS
Different mobility scooters come with different key features, some of the most common are:
– Key operated on/off switch.
– Headlights
– Speed safety reduction around corners
– Mirrors
– Front basket
– Flag
– Safety vest
– Reflectors
– Battery light indicator
At Lifestyle Mobility Scooters we make sure that when you purchase your mobility scooter you will have everything you need to make sure the scooter will work properly. Every Lifestyle Mobility Scooter comes with:
– Charger
– Manual
– Advice on best practices
– Free delivery
– Safety flag
– Vest
– 2-3 year limited warranty
WHAT ABOUT SERVICING?
It is recommended that at least every 12 months your mobility scooter has a service. The service will include checking tyre pressure, batteries, wiring, motor, brushes etc. Just like a car, looking after your mobility scooter will ensure its longevity.
If you have any warranty issues give us a call and we will organise for someone to fix your scooter as soon as possible.
Checks to make
Batteries– Are your batteries fully charged? How long can I travel on fully charged batteries?
Your Judgement – Have you taken any medications or alcohol that will affect your judgement?
Seat – Is your seat adjusted to the correct height? Use the swivel motion of the chair for ease of getting on and off the scooter
Weather – Is it sunny? Do you need a hat or sunscreen? Is it wet? Do you need a raincoat?
Clothing – Light coloured clothing makes you easier to see
Mobile Phone – Do you have a mobile phone? This will make it easy to contact someone if you have a problem
Your load – If you are carrying extra loads i.e. Shopping bags etc. be careful that the extra weight fits into the requirements of the scooter
aYOUR RESPONSIBILITIES WHEN USING A MOBILITY SCOOTER
Safety of others – You need to be very careful and slow down near other pedestrians, cyclist and children.
Be seen– You should make sure that your mobility scooter is clearly visible to pedestrians and to motorists on overcast days and at night. Wearing light coloured clothing, a safety vest, flag or using your headlights are all great ways to be seen.
Keep control – Make sure that the controls of the vehicle are in a comfortable position so that you can operate them safely.
Plan to use streets with footpaths, footpaths are safer than roads. If there are no footpaths, plan to use a quieter road. Avoid uneven surfaces, dips and potholes where possible.
Make turns slowly – The faster you take a turn, the more danger there is of tipping. However, many mobility scooters come with auto speed reduction around corners, and anti tip wheels to avoid this.
HOW TO CHARGE MOBILITY SCOOTER BATTERIES
Whether you are going to the local shops, heading out on an outing to the zoo or visiting a friend your battery-operated mobility scooter can get you there in comfort and style.
However, neglecting to charge your mobility scooter batteries, could reduce your scooter’s driving power and interrupt the freedom you’ve come to rely upon and enjoy. But, if you follow the battery charging instructions below, your scooter will always be ready to take you where you want to go, when you want to go.
If you encounter any difficulty managing these procedures, please seek assistance. These easy steps are for charging the batteries while they are housed within the scooter. Additional battery charging tips can be found in your scooter owner’s manual.
– Turn the scooter’s power switch to the OFF position.
– Connect the charger’s plug to the charging port on the scooter.
– Plug the charger’s power cable into a power outlet.
– When the charger’s LED red/orange light is on, the battery is charging.
Optimal charging time is 6 to 8 hours, or up to 10 hours to achieve a complete charge. The scooter manual will have the exact charging times recommended for your scooter.
– Stop charging when the LED light is completely green.
– Disconnect charger from the scooter, then from the power outlet.
– Run your scooter before riding it to verify the battery charge.
– Recharge Power Scooter Batteries Regularly
The batteries of a power mobility vehicle need to be charged to full capacity every night. This point cannot be emphasized enough. The batteries should also be fully re-charged
– before taking your first ride on a new scooter
– at least once a week if the scooter is kept in storage
– after every drive – if the power scooter is not being used each day
A mobility scooter that receives regular, routine charging will reward you with dependable performance, consistent power and long-lasting batteries for all the scooter rides yet to come.
Check out this useful video on how to get the best out of your mobility scooter batteries.