The Mobility Scooter Nation (With Videos)

Today there is close to 300,000 mobility scooters in Britain, this has increased by 230,000 in 5 years. Just think how many there will be in another 5 years?

It's not just the elderly or disabled that are jumping on the buggy brigade either, some young and healthy people are buying them because they are cheaper than a car. Soon the world could be very similar to the film Wallie with humans forgetting how to walk. That might be a little far fetched but an interesting thought.

The number of scooters owned has increased so much that the transport minister Norman Baker has commissioned officials to investigate. He published new guidelines last month.

 Facts

- Anyone over the age of 14 can buy the fastest class of scooter with no requirement for a licence, training or insurance.
- Unlike cars, mobility scooters are not subject to official safety checks, and can be sold without any training being given.
- Although not classed as a motor vehicle, it is illegal in the UK to drive a mobility scooter when over the drink-drive limit. Driving a scooter while disqualified can lead to a prison sentence.

An increase to the number of mobility scooters on the roads has also resulted in an increase in YouTube videos. Here are some of the best ones I have found:

Funny Mobility Scooter Videos

Speed

The worlds fasted mobility scooter
This mobility scooter clocked a top speed of 71.59mph which breaks the national speed limit. The appearance of the scooter was kept the same so no big wheels or other safety measures to make it easier to ride.

Wins

Fails

Tricks

Randoms

The Future Of Mobility Scooters

Direct Bikes Road Trip

(Original Article) Direct Bikes Road Trip

Matt from Direct Bikes went on a road trip of gigantic scale using his 125cc Tommy scooter. He started from Florence Italy and travelled all the way to London UK, which is over 1000 miles.

Matt and his scooter had to take on an array of terrain from the frozen Mont Blanc to the dangerous snowy conditions of the Alps mountain range. If you would like to hear about Matts journey watch this short video on Direct Bikes.

Mobility Scooter Tyres & Tubes

Mobility scooters need a little maintenance from time to time, you may find yourself needing to change the tyre or tube. The first thing you will need to do is consult your user manual this will contain the tyre and tube specification details that you will need to know when it comes to purchasing a replacement. Alternatively if you are unable to locate the user manual you can check the tyre side wall and the model will be written there.

Here I have listed a selection from the wide range of mobility scooter tyres & tubes that are available online, saving you pounds on high street prices.

190 Castor Tyre

£8.00
Price inc VAT: £9.40

• 8" Solid Castor Tyre
• 190 mm
• Used on most 8" front castors for most wheelchairs
• Shown fitted on castor wheel
• Castor wheel not included

125 Castor Tyre

£8.50
Price inc VAT: £9.99

• 125 Narrow profile Castor Tyre
• Supplied on many small castor std wheelchairs

200 x 50 Tyre

Starting at: £11.00
Price inc VAT: £12.93

• 200 x 50 Tyre
• Available in Rib or Block Pattern
• Picture shows Block Pattern

Front 260x85 Rib Tyre

£16.00
Price inc VAT: £18.80

• This Tyre is suitable for the Front of the Shoprider Sovereign 4 , Sovereign 3 , Sapphire 4
• Rascal 388 Rascal 245 and many other scooters. (The front tyre on most scooters is a ribbed pattern and the rear is a block pattern.)

200 x 50 Tube

£8.00
Price inc VAT: £9.40


Inner Tube Number 4

£8.00
Price inc VAT: £9.40

Inner Tube for medium size mobility scooters

Fits sizes
250 x 4
280/250x4
260 x85
300x4

Tube is fitted with a right angled valve

Mobility Scooter Spare Parts

There are a few parts on a mobility scooter that you may find yourself needing to replace overtime. Mobility scooter spare parts range from Tyres & Tubes to Batteries and Battery Chargers. There is a large range of tyres and tyre tubes to choose, so if you are in doubt about the size required, just check the side wall of the tyre where you will find the size number. The same applies to the batteries and battery chargers that available if you are not sure which size you require, the number should be written on the battery (look for a number followed by 'ah') e.g. 12v7ah. This denotes a 12 volt, 7 amp hour battery.

If you are looking to customize your scooter then such accessories as a front bumper bar may interest you or maybe a replacement wicker or wire basket. Another popular scooter part replacement is often the arm rest as some people find the standard rests a little hard and uncomfortable.

Here is a list of some popular mobility scooter parts:


260 x 85 Block Solid Infilled Tyre £31.00

This Tyre is suitable for the Rear of the Shoprider Sovereign 4 , Sovereign 3 , Sapphire 4Rascal 388 Rascal 245 and many other scooters. (The front tyre on most scooters is a ribbed pattern and the rear is a block pattern.)



5 Amp Battery Charger £89.00
Fully Automatic
Price inc VAT: £104.58


Rear View Mirror £20.00

A Rear view mirror that fits most brands of mobility scooters.

Neatly secured in place over the handlebar tube.

Fully adjustable for tilted angles and a comfortable position


Shoprider - Bumper Bar £35.00

A front bumper bar for some of the shoprider scooters.

Helps make your scooter look new again.

Can be easily fitted and is suitable for the following Scooters

Sovereign 4
Deluxe
Monza