Transporting Your Mobility Scooter

Mobility scooters are becoming more common and will only grow in number as the years go on.

Because of this there are options to help you travel with your scooter in your car, on planes, and on public transportation.  It is important to educate yourself on laws, policies, and on the types of public transportation that are mobility scooter friendly. Before you purchase a scooter, narrow down the options to the best ones that will fit your lifestyle. Decide on the size of scooter you prefer and consider if it will need it to fit in your vehicle and if you’ll need additional accessories or accommodations.

Car Travel – You’ll need a big enough vehicle or the proper equipment to safely transport your mobility scooter. Lift accessories are available to consider if your vehicle or your situation isn’t safe for mobility scooter transportation. Lifts come in a wide variety of options and vary depending on what type of vehicle you have.

A hatchback lift is designed to lift and store a scooter in the rear of an SUV, minivan, or full-size van. It will take up all the rear space without leaving much room for additional storage. This is a safe option for transportation and safe loading without any unnecessary lifting.

A cargo area lift is designed to lift a mobility scooter into the sliding doors of a minivan or full-size van. It offers safe and easy loading and unloading. You will most likely lose mid row seating area in your vehicle but it is sometimes possible to only lose only one seat.

Hitch mounted carrier lifts are available if you decide a trailer is the best method of safe travel. A motor raises and lowers the frame of the trailer for safe driving on and off the platform. If you don’t want to lose seating capacity in your vehicle, consider this as a viable option for safe mobility scooter transportation.

Truck bed lifts can be mounted in the bed of the truck or come in a side mounted version as well. The side mount is ideal for a disabled driver who can operate the lift from the side and slide directly onto the mobility scooter. For most users, the lift will be in the bed of the truck for safe loading and transportation.

Public Transportation

You’ll need to familiarize yourself with your destination area to determine if public transportation is available. Lightweight scooters that can be folded or dismantled with ease are best for public transportation. Some buses and trains have lifts that can be used to load and secure your mobility scooter for travel. Not all public transport will help you in that process, so if you need help with the lift it can be a difficult situation to manage. Taxi can usually only accommodate scooters that can fit in the trunk. There are transportation companies you can take advantage of that specialize in people with mobility issues.

Airline Travel – Mobility scooters for airline travel need to be compact and lightweight so that they can fit in the storage area. Contact the airline to ensure you properly prepare your battery for travel. In general, a mobility scooter designed for travel can withstand constant dismantling and reassembly without damage to its integrity.

Once you’ve reached your destination, consider that the flattest route can be your best friend. Any hills in your route will put extra strain on your battery. Approach corners slowly to maximize your turning radius. It’s a good idea to wear bright, reflective clothing and worth the investment to put lights and reflectors on the scooter for increased safety and visibility. Maintain proper maintenance, inspect tires, verify that the battery is fully charged, adjust mirrors, and check that any travel lights are working properly before you leave home.

Pace Medical Equipment & Supplies takes all the worry out of purchasing a mobility scooter. Our friendly staff confidently stands behind the products we offer and provide you with the best warranties in the industry. We can give you a free, no obligation consultation. Hop aboard one of Pace’s Golden Technologies’ four lines of scooters, and discover a newfound sense of freedom. Or try a portable scooter from Pace’s Pride Go Go Mobility line. One of our models will give you the right combination of size, weight, portability and accessories. All provide the industry’s highest levels of stability, dependability, performance and comfort. Visit our showroom to test drive the industry’s most comprehensive line of consumer scooters today!