Once you have experienced the freedom that a scooter provides, you’ll want to take it with you everywhere. First, let’s talk about safety and security.
This article starts with general guidelines for travel. Then it talks about things to consider when traveling by car or van with your scooter. Even short trips can be more comfortable when you follow these helpful tips.
If you are planning to travel by air, check out Know Before You Go – Traveling by Air with your Power Scooter or Wheelchair on our website.
General Tips
- Just like at home, operate your scooter as if you were walking. That means ride on the places where people walk except when crossing streets. When traveling, it’s always more pleasant to have some of your own personal things. Scooters are no exception. While you can rent a scooter, the rental is going to be basic.
- Folding scooters are a tempting option. Most fold into the shape similar to a rolling suitcase. They can be stowed away in a hotel room closet. But you should be aware that folding scooters have limits. They don’t come apart like portable scooters, so you’ll need to be prepared to lift 70-90 lbs. Also, you’ll pay extra for their folding design. We’ll be writing specifically about folding scooters in a future article.
- Helpful accessories – Get a cover for your scooter in case you run into weather and can’t bring the scooter indoors. A lost or damaged battery charger is sure to put a damper on your trip. Spare battery chargers are not that expensive.
- Transportable scooters are super-convenient but they’re best for smooth, man-made surfaces like tile, carpet, and asphalt. If you think you’ll be riding on broken and uneven concrete sidewalks, cobblestones, etc., consider a full-sized scooter.
- Be prepared for whatever type of weather is typical for the area you are visiting.
Tips for Traveling by Automobile or Van With Your Scooter.
- If you don’t normally transport your scooter by auto, you will need to learn your options. They include: adding a scooter lift or trailer, renting a vehicle that can safely carry your machine, or, if your machine is one of the portable folding travel scooters, fitting it into the vehicle’s trunk or rear hatch.
- If you decide you’d like to add a scooter lift to your vehicle, don’t consider installing it yourself. This is a job for a NMEDA QAP-certified professional who can recommend and install a safe and reliable solution for your particular car or van and scooter.
- Have you wondered if you can use a ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft with your scooter? The answer is Yes – in many cases you can. Uber drivers are instructed on how to offer help and work with you to stow portable wheelchairs and scooters that will fit into the car’s trunk. Notify the driver in advance if you need a scooter stowed to make sure their car or van can accommodate it.
- UberWAV (Wheelchair-accessible vehicles) is a service Uber offers in some large cities in the US and other countries. Click here to find out which cities and to sign up. WAV drivers complete a particular certification course to help you enter and exit their vehicle.
- Lyft’s program is different than Uber’s program. They require you to turn on a wheelchair button in the Lyft app. When booking a ride, 24-hour advance notice is required. You may have to register with the local dispatch. Lyft schedules your transportation with the local medical transport or taxi service equipped to handle wheelchairs. They do not specifically mention if they carry power scooters. Click here for a state-specific list of wheelchair accessible transportation that may also allow scooters. This list will come in handy, even if you don’t go through Lyft. You can contact the service directly to find out their requirements and booking procedures if you don’t use a mobile app such as Lyft.
- If you hire a car, truck or van, consider how you will move your scooter in and out of the vehicle. Will a lift be required? Will you or a fellow traveler be able to safely maneuver the machine multiple times throughout the trip duration?
By making sure your scooter is in top-notch condition to travel, and by bringing the accessories that make you comfortable, you can enjoy the same mobility freedom when traveling at home.
Happy travels from Living Well Stores!
