There are plenty of factors to consider when you’re shopping for a mobility scooter, but probably the most important decision you’ll need to make is whether to buy a pavement mobility scooter or a road mobility scooter.
Most people don’t know there’s a difference until they first start looking, but you really need to understand what separates these two classes before you buy.
What Are Pavement Mobility Scooters?
Pavement mobility scooters are the less powerful of the two. As the name suggests, they are built to run on pavements rather than roads, so they’re an ideal choice if you need to make runs to nearby locations.
Since a pavement mobility scooter never travels more than 4 mph (which is the pace of a very fast walk) they can legally travel on pavements and public footpaths. They still come with a large array of features, but they generally aren’t as expensive since they don’t require the large motors, large batteries, and strong suspension systems of a comparable road mobility scooter. That also makes them significantly lighter, which is ideal if you’ll frequently need to have your model taken upstairs or into vehicles.
What Are Road Mobility Scooters?
Road mobility scooters are more powerful than pavement mobility scooters. Able to reach up to 8 mph (which is a strong running pace), they possess large engines and batteries, plus suspension systems able to handle rougher terrain. If you’re going to be travelling longer distances, the added speed and battery life can be helpful. They’re a little trickier to drive thanks to their added power, but they contain two drive modes to help make things easier. One will allow travel up to 4 mph on pavements; the other will switch up to a maximum of 6 or 8 mph.
They usually fit more features, such as indicators, lights, and horns. Seats are often deeper and leg room greater to help users cope with longer journeys, and they’ll usually have more durable tires. You don’t need a license or any kind of qualification to drive a road mobility scooter, but you should remember that you cannot drive them at full speed on the pavement. When you think of ‘road scooters’, keep in mind that roads aren’t all they can handle. With superior suspension, greater power, and more durable tires, you can also use them to cross more challenging terrain, such as hills, long grass, and woodlands.
- Maintaining Mental Health During Chemotherapy: Techniques and Resources - 8th August 2024
- How Much Money Do You Get When Selling a House for Cash? - 7th March 2023
- How Often Should You Replace Window Sidings in Vancouver? - 10th November 2022