A mobility scooter is ideal if you have a hard time walking yet you will need both upper body strength and balance to safely operate it. Whether you choose a 3-wheel or 4-wheel scooter, consider working with a physical therapist to develop that upper body strength through simple but targeted exercises—these might be as easy as doing arm curls holding a can of veggies in each hand. Safety on the road is another important consideration. You want to make yourself visible to both other vehicles and pedestrians. Equipping your scooter with a flag in a holder that raises it a few feet above your seated height will help tremendously in allowing you to be seen. Be sure your horn is loud enough to let your presence known when it’s necessary to use in. To help yourself maneuver better, use rear view mirrors. To reduce the chance of injury in the case of a fall, consider wearing the same protective gear used by anyone operating a motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle or two-wheeler scooter—a helmet, gloves and knee and elbow pads. Finally, don’t use your scooter when you need to take medication that could make you drowsy or impair your vision.
