Help with Mobility.com

Greg Sweeney on his mobility scooter

As the debate about mobility scooter safety on the roads continues, a British MP has caused anger amongst mobility scooters users by Fraser Coast, by suggesting that a 5mph speed limit on all mobility scooters should be introduced.

The speed limit around the Fraser Coast in currently set at a limit 10kmh.  Local mobility scooter user Grey Sweeney has labeled the suggestion as “ridiculous”, saying that the majority of mobility scooter users apply common sense when riding around the roads, towns and public spaces.

“On footpaths around town I slow down and inside shopping centres I go at a minimum speed.

“It’s a bit like a car – you have to ride to the conditions.

“I’ve never crashed my scooter but I have nearly been taken out by motorists a couple of times.

“The scooter is basically a motorised wheelchair for people who can’t walk and most riders I see are very responsible.”

Mr Sweeney attended a Safe Scooter education session held in Torquay, and said that he also received some basic instruction when he bought his scooter.

Another woman said the real issue was making footpaths safer for mobility scooter users.  She claimed to have been verbally abused frequently by pedestrians for using her mobility scooter on footpaths.

And so this contentious issue continues to feature in the media, and yet more incidents are likely to occur until governments start to consider how to address the growing number of mobility scooters on our roads.

The UK Department of Transport has recently published results of a attitudestowardsmobilityscooters1 survey which measured public attitudes towards whether those using a mobility scooter should have to undergo training and testing, and whether scooters should be licensed and insured.

Mobility Scooters UK - Public Survey

This has been a topical debate in the UK for many months, heightened by the continuing saga on mobility scooter incidents and accidents on the roads.  As mobility scooter use on the highways of the US increases, we are witnessing a similar wave of road traffic incidents as we have reported at Help With Mobility.  There is confusion with scooter users over local legislation that governs the operation of their mobility scooter out and about.   Clearly as our population of seniors increases, the safety and welfare of mobility scooter users should be addressed.

The report from the Department of Transport in the UK clearly indicates that the public do feel that training IS required, and that scooter users should have appropriate testing, and insurance before taking to the roads.

An interesting how-to film made by Elinor and John Thompson regarding the ease or difficulty of travel for those wheelchair-bound, or requiring a mobility scooter.

Elinor and John continue to travel extensively, despite John’s progressive MS condition, and this short clip of is one of their narratives on their encounters during their travels.

Short Video clip – Timeshare Travel

Wow……now doesn’t this make for rather trendy looking mobility scooter, it certainly defies the common notion of what we think of as a mobility scooter.

A disabled young man has a unique mobility scooter designed and manufactured to enable him ease of access around Washington DC.  Futuristic Mobility Scooter in Washington DC

More information on mobility scooter in Washington DC.

As our senior population continues to grow, and health issues such as obesity grow, the demand for mobility products, especially electric mobility scooters is on the rise.

A new UK web site has been launched to assist those with health and mobility problems in the United Kingdom.  UK Mobility Scooters Online is a comprehensive consumer guide and directory of suppliers across the UK.

You can find consumer information concerning mobility scooters, power wheelchairs, stair lifts and mobility product manufacturers and suppliers.  The site also assists the novice mobility product consumer by providing simple guidance on disability allowance and the motability scheme.  UK Mobility Scooters makes a great starting place if you have a mobility issue and are considering purchasing a mobility scooter.  Not only will you find useful tips relating to buying new or used scooters, you can also find out about the options for renting mobility scooters.

Budget Airline EasyJet has faced some criticism for imposing weight restrictions on mobility equipment hindering many disabled passengers from being able to fly.

EasyJet have refused to allow power wheelchairs that weigh over 60kg to be transported in one piece.  When in reality most power wheelchairs weigh over this weight.

It is no surprise to also read that disabled passengers report of terrible damage to power wheelchairs that have been handled by baggage handlers on airline flights.  Read more on this story here.

In a “PC” age when Disability Awareness has become legislation, it is amazing to read stories of how people using mobility scooters face problems with public transport.

American comic Tanyalee David has now launched a one-woman campaign to overturn the ban on mobility scooters that some train and bus companies operate.  Tanyalee has now been stranded more than once when trying to use public transport with her mobility scooter.

As electric mobility scooters were not that common when Disability Acts came into force, many public organizations can refuse to accept compliance of recognizing mobility scooters are part of their apparent conformity of disability legislation.

Tanyalee’s latest stranding incident occurred whilst she was visiting the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland.  A spokesperson for Edinburgh’s Lothian Buses said: ‘Under accessibility rules, scooters are defined as an alternative to public transport as they have a travel range of 12 to 20 miles.

‘Their maneuverability is not suitable for negotiating the wheelchair space on a bus.

‘In common with the majority of major bus companies and other public transport operators, we do not carry these on safety grounds as a result of the Department For Transport enquiry which concludes many are unstable and therefore unsuitable for use on public transport.’

I think maybe the issue in the UK is that distances are so much shorter in comparison to here in the US.  I was in Las Vegas only last week, and observed the impeccable public transport service in Nevada.  All public buses had ramps and designated wheelchair areas.  I even witnessed a bus driver amiably and efficiently lower his ramp, assist an elderly man in a power wheelchair to board and helped him maneuver and secure his power chair.  Something I never witnessed in all my years in the UK.

Another incident has occurred in Lakeland, Florida which highlights how the growing number of elderly people using mobility scooters in Florida on the highways, is a cause for concern.

Here at Help With Mobility we have already featured a number of articles that address how health and safety of mobility scooters out on our roads and highways should be given greater attention.

With a growing aging population, and accessibility to cheap mobility scooters increasing, we are witnessing more and more of these fatal accidents occurring.

This latest incident of a 66 year old man, Lannis Harris of Lakeland, being hit and killed by a semi tractor-trailer whilst in a crosswalk area at the intersection of Highway 92 and Combee Road.  The semi tractor-trailer hit and ran over Mr Harris on his mobility scooter.  Mr Harris was taken to hospital but unfortunately died from “extensive trauma”.  Investigations into the accident are now underway.

As we have identified at US-Mobility there is some confusion and debate concerning the rules and regulations for electric scooter use on our public highways.  Most of the confusion arises from a lack of distinction between scooters, as in Vespa-type two wheel scooters and bikes, and scooters as in mobility-type three and four wheel scooters.

This recent article in Canada demonstrates how this debate continues to feature in our news.

Having only recently posted about concerns regarding health and safety with the increased number of electric scooter users; I note today yet more news reporting scooter accidents.

An elderly lady in Kent, UK is fighting for her life after being hit by a delivery truck.  The Kent Police have released limited news about the incident so far, just that the road concerned has been closed to motorists and the lady has been air-lifted to a London hospital.

Another 74 year old senior lady in Scotland was left traumatized after being hit by a council street-cleaning truck whilst out on her mobility scooter in Edinburgh.  She was forced off the sidewalk and onto the road as a delivery truck was obstructing the sidewalk.

Clearly incidents such as these will continue to afflict our aging and inform electric scooter users as their numbers increase.

If you are an electric scooter user and wish to share your experiences, then please add your comments.