If you want to take back your independence and freedom then a mobility scooter is the perfect aid for you. Able to quickly get you from A to B whilst keeping you safe and comfortable, these are just two of the key features of a scooter, with many packed with so much more. Today we bring you a blog focusing on 6-8mph/road mobility scooters, the largest type of scooter you can buy, and the long list of ‘extras’ that they include (features may vary).
Power
CareCo Cruiser Road Mobility Scooter
Not only are road mobility scooters larger in size but they’re also fitted with much larger batteries. Designed to be able to travel on-road and across extended distances, 6-8mph scooters are ideal if you want to make regular, longer journeys or if you live outside of a main town or city. With the ability to carry you, your belongings and shopping, road scooters need to be able to handle increased weight and distance, with their powerful batteries able to do exactly that. On average a road scooter can travel anywhere upwards of 15-17 miles, with some reaching up to 35 miles between charges! Just think of where you could end up!
Furthermore, road scooters feature increased speed limits. When driving on-road you’re able to set the limit to 8mph, decreasing to 4mph when driving on public footpaths and pavements. It’s like having two scooters built into one!
Suspension
Suspension systems fitted into scooters are incredibly similar to those found in cars and motorcycles, designed to give the driver a more comfortable ride. With so many of the UK’s roads damaged and covered in potholes it’s vital you’re able to enjoy the ride whilst staying safe, with a 6-8mph scooter’s suspension system doing all of the work for you.
Whether a scooter features a part or full system, fitted at the front or rear, its function is the same: to absorb friction, vibrations and bumps to improve the quality of your experience. A road mobility scooter featuring a suspension system (in whatever form) would be ideal for users who want to drive on-road or for those living in rural areas who have to ride over uneven terrain (grass, gravel, pebbles, cobblestones).
Wheels & Tyres
Alongside a shock-absorbing suspension system, road scooters are fitted with larger wheels and tyres, designed to be able to tackle various terrains and inclines. While the suspension reduces vibration, the tyres of a 6-8mph scooter (generally pneumatic) are able to roll gently over lumps and bumps, decreasing the initial friction that causes vibrations.
Although harder to maintain and more expensive to replace, pneumatic tyres are ideal for larger, hard-wearing scooters, as other types aren’t able to tackle uneven ground, therefore benefiting you in the long run.
Captain’s Seat
Of course, if you’re travelling across increased distances you’ll want to be able to stay comfortable. Rather than settling with a travel or pavement scooter’s smaller, more compact seat, road scooters have been designed to include large, high-back padded Captain’s seats, ideal for longer journeys across various terrains. Depending on the model of scooter you purchase the Captain’s seat may also be able to swivel and recline, giving you a true personalised experience.
Van Os Medical Galaxy Road Mobility Scooter
Lights
As with cars, motorcycles and other road vehicles it’s vital you’re able to be seen by other drivers. As a legal requirement 6-8mph scooters have to include a full lighting system, including bright LED front, rear and side lights, as well as indicators to alert fellow drivers and pedestrians you intend to change direction. You’ll also notice that road scooters can be fitted with reflectors, ideal for driving in low light or at nighttime.
Wing Mirrors
Again, much like other road vehicles 6-8mph scooters are fitted with wing mirrors. These enable the driver to be able to see the whole road, alerting them to any upcoming traffic or pedestrians walking behind them. Wing mirrors are an important safety feature when driving on-road as they enable the scooter to be used in much the same way as a car.
Horn
Finally, road-worthy scooters are fitted with horns. When driving on-road 6-8mph scooters must follow a strict set of feature rules (that you can view here) that must be adhered to to be deemed safe and legal. As with a car, road scooters are fitted with horns to alert other drivers of your presence as they may not always spot you. Much like a car or motorcycle, you must only sound the horn if you deem it necessary.
Road mobility scooters come complete with a much wider range of excellent features compared to other types. Designed to keep you safe, 6-8mph scooters are also incredibly comfortable and reliable, enabling you to travel further than ever before!
If you’d like to view CareCo‘s entire road mobility scooter range you can do so here.
Brought to you by CareCo, the discount mobility experts you can trust.
