As popular as walking frames are, you will have noticed that although they are light and easy to use, they are not always easily stored, trying to place a walking frame into some cars may cause a few problems if there is limited space or you may find that the frame fits in ok but still seems to take up a lot of space, so that you cant fit other items or passengers into the car as you would like to.

A solution to this is the availability of a folding travel walker, you still have the same support that you would expect from the frame but with the added benefit of being able to fold it down so that it will fit very easily into a car, a folding walking frame will take up much less room and is easily assembled back into the normal position so that it is ready for you quickly when you are ready to use it again.

A frame of this type is designed and intended to be used regularly too so it will withstand regular folding down and assembling no matter how often you need to do this.

A folding walking frame usually wont cost much more than a standard one, with some being available for between £30 – £40.

For many mobility scooter users throughout the UK, the transportation of their mobility scooter while travelling to friends, relatives and other places requires the ability to fit the mobility scooter into their car, people carrier or other vehicle.

Naturally, some cars just wont be suitable for the transportation of such a mobility aid, either because of the size of the car, lack of storage space or difficulties in loading and unloading of your mobility scooter from the vehicle, compared to with another vehicle.

You may have changed the make and model of car a few times over the years, maybe you have the ideal car for you and your mobility scooter currently, or have preferred a car that you have transported it in sometime in the past.

Please share your experiences below by commenting and letting others know how you have or currently get on with a particular car and mobility scooter combination, any tips, avoidances that people should know about? And maybe mention the particular mobility scooter that you use too.

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.