Electric Mobility Scooter Safety

Executive Summary by Brad Brubaker

Part I - Hills, Cornering, and Terrain

electric mobility scooter

One of the places that can present the biggest safety concern of an electric mobility scooter user is the incline or hill. It is important that you travel up and down inclines in a safe manner. It is best for you and for your mobility scooter that you do not stop accelerating up a hill until you reach the top. If you must stop, ensure that you slowly begin accelerating again as opposed to giving it full throttle. Most scooters are designed so that a brake is applied when pressure is removed from the throttle. This is an added safety feature that can be used to your advantage when going downhill.

When navigating hills or incline you should always drive straight up or down the incline. It is extremely unsafe to zigzag, weave, or otherwise drive at an angle up or down an incline. Driving at an angle greatly increases the risk of tipping over or falling. It is also a good idea to lean forward slightly while you are climbing an incline. This greatly increases stability by shifting your center of gravity towards the front of the scooter. Most electric mobility scooters also have a “Maximum Recommended Incline Angle,” this will tell you the steepest hill that your mobility scooter can safely navigate.

Cornering in your electric mobility scooter can also present a potentially dangerous situation that could result in tipping. Cornering refers to when you are turning your mobility scooter at a pretty significant angle. It is important to slow down before you begin a sharp turn and to pay very close attention to the ground around the turn.

Part II - Streets, Obstacles, Doors, and Weather

electric mobility scooter in blue colour

There are many obstacles that you will encounter while using your mobility scooter. Perhaps the most common is the curb. Most electric mobility scooters are designed so that they can navigate curbs that are of a certain height. This in part has to do with the ground clearance of your scooter. For instance a scooter with a ground clearance of 2.5 inches will probably only be able to navigate curbs that are about 2 inches high. Before attempting to navigate a curb or obstacle ensure that you have checked your manual for the maximum height that can be safely climbed by your particular electric mobility scooter.

Most electric mobility scooters are not designed to be used in inclement or poor weather conditions. If it is raining, snowing, or extremely cold or hot than you should avoid using your electric mobility scooter. Of course it is impossible to always avoid these types of conditions, so if you get caught in a shower seek shelter as soon as possible and thoroughly dry your electric mobility scooter.

It is also important to be very careful when getting on and off of your electric mobility scooter. Remove the key from the start switch to ensure that you do not accidentally hit the throttle while exiting or entering the unit. If your electric mobility scooter has a parking break make sure that it is properly set. Many electric mobility scooters feature a swiveling chair that makes it much easier to get on and off of the device. If your chair swivels ensure that it is in a locked position before getting in or out. If your chair does not swivel then raise the armrest on the side that you would like to mount or dismount. As you get on or off of your electric mobility scooter you should avoid putting too much weight on the floor board of the scooter as this can promote tipping.