What are mobility scooters? They are scooters designed for people who are mobile but who cannot manage to walk for too long or to climb slopes. They are not like wheelchairs which are essentially for people who have lost their mobility. There is a wide choice of mobility scooters available and they come with varying price tags. The leading names on offer are: Pride, Sunrise Medical, Drive Medical and Invacare. You can choose from the many styles they have. You need to be clear about whether you are looking at indoor or outdoor use or both maybe and whether you will be taking it around in your vehicle often. You can also choose from various accessories and seating options.

Take a look at how mobility scooters differ from power wheelchairs. Moving forward and reversing are controlled by two levers which are operated by the thumb. The seats on mobility scooters are mounted on a stem so that gives you the flexibility to move around from side to side. In front of the base, you find a tiller and this is what steers the front wheel. You can also tilt the arm and lock it so it's a safe and comfortable ride. They also do not have footrests, just a base board. You need a bit of strength to drive a mobility scooter as you have to manipulate the tiller as well as the levers.

Let's now take a look at the different types of mobility scooters available. There are three types basically. They are the Foldable Mobility Scooters, the 3-Wheel Mobility Scooters and the 4-Wheel Mobility Scooters. The foldable type is easy to carry around and transport so they are in great demand by people who are active and on the move. In fact they are also called travel scooters. The best part is that most of them can be taken apart and packed into the boot of a vehicle. As they have sealed batteries, they can be carried on the airline too. Just make sure to enquire while you book your ticket before you take one with you.

If you're looking for a mobility scooter that is extremely maneuverable, the 3-wheek one is just perfect for you. These come in full-size models and are great for both the outdoors as well as for indoor use. It also weighs between 300 and 400 lbs so it can carry even larger users. These have a whole host of features including storage baskets, swivel seats and arm rests.

The 4-wheel model is a very stable one thanks to its wide wheel base. These are mainly for outdoor use where stability is very important on uneven surfaces. They have a high ground clearance and are of great use on rugged terrain. It can attain speeds of up to 10 mph and can go to 25 miles with one charge. Because of its wide wheels, its turning radius is not very good and this makes it not suitable for indoor use.

Before buying a mobility scooter, talk to your doctor about your needs and he might come up with solutions about which would be the right choice for you.