| If you have just bought a mobility scooter | | | | stranded! Carry an extra battery or a solar |
| (or are planning on buying one soon), there | | | | powered charger with you. Batteries will wear |
| are a few things you should consider before | | | | out and if you have an extra one, you'll be |
| venturing out and spending your money on one. | | | | okay! |
| | | | |
| The first thing you should know is that there | | | | If you travel in a climate that gets really |
| are often rules and laws regarding mobility | | | | hot or wet or snowy, consider getting a |
| scooters in each municipality. Check with | | | | canopy to go over your scooter. This will |
| your local authorities first about what the | | | | keep the wet and the heat off of you. Don't |
| rules are. While most cities are very | | | | forget to pack a bottle of ice water with you |
| accommodating to scooters, you don't want to | | | | when you go out. You may not be doing |
| break the law! One law found in many | | | | vigorous walking, but you'll still need to |
| jurisdictions that scooter owners may be | | | | stay hydrated...and it's easy to forget that |
| surprised to discover is that if you ride a | | | | when you're not putting one leg in front of |
| scooter you are considered a pedestrian... | | | | the other. |
| not a vehicle operator. As such, you'll need | | | | |
| to stay off the roads as much as possible | | | | Although it may be tempting to listen to |
| (unless, of course, the sidewalks are | | | | music while you travel, avoid putting |
| impassable). However, recent court cases have | | | | headphones in both ears. Between the music |
| found that driving a scooter while impaired | | | | and your scooter's engine noise, you may not |
| could lead to a fine under the motorized | | | | hear traffic at a crosswalk or other |
| vehicles act in your state! | | | | machinery (like those small city sidewalk |
| | | | cleaners) that may need to share the sidewalk |
| When you get a scooter, be sure to deck it | | | | with you. |
| out with reflectors, reflector tape, and a | | | | |
| tall, bright orange flag. That will help | | | | Consider carrying a small, portable ramp to |
| motorists see you if you have to travel in | | | | allow you to get into places that you might |
| the dark and are forced to travel on the road | | | | not normally be able to. Many cities and |
| (if, for example, there are no sidewalks | | | | commercial buildings are becoming more and |
| where you live). Put reflector tape across | | | | more scooter friendly but they are not all |
| the back of the seat and the bottom of the | | | | 100% compliant yet. A small ramp will make |
| scooter and consider a small flashing light | | | | the difference between being able to go where |
| like joggers wear. If possible, avoid being | | | | you want and getting turned away. |
| out late at night on your scooter if your | | | | |
| scooter doesn't have headlights. Get a | | | | Mobility scooters are a great way to gain |
| headlight mounted on your scooter easily if | | | | back your independence if you've found that |
| you want to travel after dark. | | | | you cannot walk around as much as you used |
| | | | to. Use these tips to keep yourself safe and |
| If you have a long way to travel, don't get | | | | secure as you travel. Happy mobility! |