As mobility scooters are used on public pavements and some are used on the roads, there are plenty of chances for accidents and collisions.

Although a mobility scooter retailer will usually provide some basic guidance about using a mobility scooter safely and explain the basics of the controls, its really in the hands of the user once the scooter has been sold and is being used.

I think that an actual test being introduced would be taking things too far, after all, the whole idea is to provide assistance and accessibility to individuals with mobility needs, not to hinder them, and simple things should be kept that way, not over complicated.

But maybe more training for people on how to use them in the safest way possible and also some basic guidance of using a mobility scooter in the most efficient way, teaching general safe use as well as the safest and best methods when charging the battery, storing the scooter and anything else that may be useful for the user to know.

Although the speed of a mobility scooter is limited, it’s still a vehicle, capable of being involved in an accident, if a new user is trained to operate it well, knows when they should slow down, if they are allowed to take to the road or not, how to take corners safely and are even taught how to look out for pedestrians and motor vehicles who are not paying attention or suddenly do something which requires the mobility scooter user to react accordingly to avoid an accident, then it could significantly lower the chances of accidents and generally give the mobility scooter user extra confidence and keep them safer while out in public places.

What’s your own opinion on this? Do you feel that mobility scooter retailers already provide enough information and training on how to use a mobility scooter properly and safely? Do you think there should be more in-depth training or should it be left to the user and an expectation for them to be a responsible user once they have made their purchase?

Please share your views and comments below.

I recently saw that someone online was wondering if they can take a mobility scooter on a bus in the UK.

If the thought is to take one on the bus as a mobility scooter is usually seen, and not folded up, also to be able to ride the scooter straight onto the bus then i doubt that there would be many bus services that could accommodate this that are running as part of public transport services.

Although many newer buses on many routes in cities and towns throughout the UK can accommodate people much better now with wider entrances, more spacious areas at the front of buses, hydraulics to lower and raise the platforms for people to step onto and off of the bus easier and the ability to push a wheelchair easier on many buses, theres still a few problems in place that would make it difficult to ride a mobility scooter onto a bus.

Most mobility scooters are too wide to be able to maneuver onto and off of a bus without problems, the only way to take a mobility scooter onto a bus is with a folding one, and preferably one that folds without any or too many parts having to be removed first.

Also the problem of being able to position the mobility scooter quickly and without problems on the bus would be difficult, unlike a wheelchair that can be turned and moved in a way that wont cause any obstruction once securely position to one side near the front of a bus.

The power that a mobility scooter has could also make it difficult to steer on and off of a bus safely, and there’s also the fact that as many bus stops have shelters and some are more narrow than others, that even if the bus can accommodate a mobility scooter easily, that the task of trying to move through the bus stop may prove to be a challenge in itself.

While public transport lends itself much better now to people with mobility needs, there are still a few challenges faced that currently prevent some mobility aids from being used on some forms of public transport.

Any area of a vehicle that houses electronic parts and controls is usually better off protected from the elements, even though a mobility scooter is designed to be used in all weathers, it’s still good to protect certain areas of the scooter from exposure if you can.

A control panel cover will mostly protect the control panel from the rain, the main area is still transparent so you can still clearly and easily see the control panel properly but any rain that does fall on this area will mostly run off and the cover will not affect the steering or anything else in the controls and handles area.

This type of cover is designed to fit most mobility scooters and is very easy to fit into place and fasten and equally can be removed as quickly and easily.

You can usually find one of these covers for around £12, a small investment to protect an important part of your mobility scooter.