| | Scooter
vs Wheelchair Power What
is a Scooter? A
scooter is a wheeled cart or personal mobility vehicle (PMV) with an electric
motor designed to make mobility easier for a sick or disabled
person. What
is a Wheelchair? A
wheelchair is a chair mounted on large wheels. It is designed to make mobility
easier for a sick or disabled person. Wheelchair
vs. Scooter
When
deciding whether to buy a scooter or power wheelchair, some factors to consider
are: - Control
and maneuverability
- Scooters
- are
steered with a tiller, functioning like a bicycle's handlebar
- have
rear and front wheel drive
- Power
Wheelchairs
- are
usually controlled with a programmable joystick
- good
maneuverability in small and tight spaces
- Weight
capacity
- Scooters
- the
weight capacity of a rear wheel scooter is between 250 and 350 pounds
- some
models can carry up to 500 pounds
- Power
Wheelchairs
- weight
capacity varies
- also
provides a larger variety of seating options and postural support
- Speed
- Scooters
- usual
speed settings are 1 to 5 miles per hour
- speeds
are controlled by a control knob
- Power
Wheelchairs
- settings
are 1 to 5+ miles per hour
- speeds
are controlled by a control knob
- Power
- Scooters
- front
wheel drive scooters usually have a single 12 volt battery capable of traveling
5 – 10 miles before recharging.
- rear-wheel
drives have 2-12 volt battery capable of 15 – 20 miles before recharging.
- Power
Wheelchairs
- are
equipped with 12 volt batteries capable of going 15 to 20 miles on a full charge
over level terrain.
- User
safety
- Scooters
- are
less safe for use as a seat in a motor vehicle
- more
difficult to tie down
- Power
Wheelchairs
- safer
for use as a seat in a motor vehicle
- are
easier to tie down
- Durability
- Scooters
- can
be broken down into parts and stored in a car trunk or back seat.
- Power
Wheelchairs
- can't
be broken down
- too
heavy to be lifted easily
- Price
- Scooters
- less
expensive than power wheelchairs
- addition
of features may increase the price
- Power
Wheelchairs
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