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Electric Mobility Scooters And What To Look For
Electric mobility scooters are designed to assist those who have phys
ical conditions that make walking difficult enjoy the sense of indepe
ndence and freedom that comes from mobility. When selecting the appro
priate make and model of an electric scooter the individual rider’s o
verall physical condition and personal preferences need to be conside
red in relation to the basic construction of the scooter.
The basic construction should combine a backrest, seat and foot suppo
rt to provide a comfortable and stable seating base. This enables ri
ders to expend their energy on the essential activities, such as oper
ating the vehicle and accomplishing tasks from within the mobility sc
ooter rather than wasting effort trying to maintain a comfortable, up
right position. The seat unit should have an anatomically contoured s
eat base and backrest and be wide enough to accommodate outdoor cloth
ing if necessary. However, it should not be so wide that the user is
forced to sit asymmetrically to feel properly supported. If the seat
is too narrow it will become uncomfortable and increase the risk of
pressure sores.
Try to choose an electric mobility scooter that has a seat and backres
t which can be adjusted to meet individual comfort levels. Additionall
y, a seat with fold up armrests adds to the comfort of the rider, make
transferring on and off the seat easier and will reduce the amount of
physical strain on the upper body. A stable seating posture is essent
ial in order to manage the vehicle’s controls which are located on the
tiller, or steering column and handlebars.
The tiller is the control and steering mechanism for the mobility sco
oter and has the controls to drive the scooter forward or in reverse,
as well as steering the front wheels. Some tillers feature height an
d angle adjustability to ensure that the rider can comfortably reach
the tiller and therefore has maximum control over the scooter. A cons
ole, centrally located on