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DISCLAIMER:
Whilst all care is taken to provide accurate information with respect to the item described, the Independent Living Centre (ILC) is not involved in product design or manufacture, and therefore not in a position to guarantee the accuracy of the information provided. Selection of equipment, which is both suitable and appropriate for individual needs remains the responsibility of the person(s) considering requisition, and no responsibility is taken by the ILC for any loss or injury caused through use of the equipment or alleged to have arisen through reliance upon information provided. As information is subject to change any enquiries should be directed to the manufacturer.
Item Details
A Buyers Guide - Scooters
ILC Reference NO 43:43:600
Item sourced from ILC ACT database
Short Description
Scooters are available in either three or four wheeled models and feature a battery powered motor, seat and tiller to steer. Scooters are used to increase and extend the range of personal mobility and help conserve energy. They range from compact indoor models to heavy duty outdoor models designed to handle rough terrain.
Caution
The Road Transport (Public Passenger Services) Act 2001 prohibits the transportation of motorised scooters in ACT taxis while the passenger remains seated on the scooter. These regulations came into force on 1 March 2003.
Further informationon the regulations relating to motorised scooters can be obtained from the Dept of Urban Services (02) 6207 6259.
It should be noted that persons considering a scooter for the first time or persons with new disabilities should seek the advice of their physicians, therapists, or other rehabilitation professionals in determining whether a wheelchair or a scooter is most appropriate for them, and / or what type of scooter best meets their needs.
More Details
The primary market for scooters is individuals with physical disabilities or health conditions which affect their ability to walk or limit their physical endurance. Scooter users often have some ability to walk, but are limited in distance or stamina.
Scooter users often have difficulty propelling manual wheelchairs,
but do not require the sophisticated electronic controls and seating systems common in powered wheelchairs
Points to Consider
The ability of the user
Consider the nature of the person's disability and its expected course including their:
· cognitive ability
· level of vision and hearing
· physical ability
- to transfer to and from the scooter
- to operate the seat
- to operate the tiller
- to operate the controls
- to reach and operate manual brakes (if applicable)
· balance
· weight
· ability to maintain the chair, especially charging the batteries
· ability to dismantle and transfer the scooter to a car or vehicle (if required)
The user's environment
NOTE: It is strongly recommended that the scooter be trialled in the prospective user's environment prior to purchasing.
Try and establish what type of scooter will be required for the environment in which it will be used. Consider:
· the local terrain, does it have
- steep gradients
- rough ground
- busy streets
· will the scooter be required for indoor use eg. shopping centres / malls?
- in the user's home?
· is there undercover space for storage?
· is there access to a powerpoint for recharging?
· what distances will be covered?
· what speeds are required?
· will the user need to carry items such as walking aids or shopping on the scooter?
· what safety features may be desirable?, eg. horn, lights, reflective strips
· can it be loaded into a vehicle if required?
. will the scooter be used on public transport?
. NOTE: The Australian Transport Council Standard for Accessible Public Transport will apply to taxis / trams / trains / buses / ferries / light rail. The space allowed on public transport for carrying mobility equipment is an area of 800mm x 1300mm. This will accommodate most manual and electric wheelchairs with max length 1250mm, max width 750mm,max turning circle 1500mm, and max weight 200kg.
This size should be considered (before purchasing) if the scooter is to be used on public transport.
Does the scooter fit the user comfortably?
· is the seat height correct?
· is there enough leg room?
· is the user able to swivel the seat?
· can the user
- reach and adjust the tiller?
- reach and manage the controls safely?
· does the user feel safe when using it?
Financial implications
· what are the purchase and ongoing maintenance costs?
· can the purchaser obtain financial assistance from eg. - PADP, DVA, charitable organisation, insurance company, service groups?
· what are the terms of the warranty? ie. the length and conditions?
· what is the availability of parts and service?
· will the model of the scooter require compulsory third party insurance?
Features of the Scooter
Design
· is it a three-wheeled or four-wheeled model?
· is it belt driven or electronically powered?
· is it easily dismantled for transporting?
· what type of suspension is fitted?
· does the seat swivel or is it fixed?
· does it have lift-up or fixed armrests?
· what type of upholstery is available? eg. vinyl, wool, fabric, sheepskin?
Size
· what is the length of the wheelbase? (this affects the turning circle)
· what is the overall width?
· what is the clearance from the floor?
· is the height adjustable and if it is, how is this done?
Backrest
· does it fold down?
· is it fixed or adjustable?
· is it moulded?
Controls
· are they constant-pressure controls, or operated by a lever or bar using the thumb or finger?
· is it left or right hand operation?
· is a lever extension possible?
· is the forward / reverse control operated by a switch or control lever?
· is the speed control
- illuminated / printed?
- dial/push button?
Batteries
· are they dry or wet cell?
· is there easy access to the batteries?
· are they easily removed?
· what weight are they?
· what is their life expectancy and how easily are they maintained?
· what is their range before recharging is required?
· is the charger separate or built-in?
· is there a battery gauge
Motor
· what is the capacity?
· what weight is it?
· how noisy is it during operation?
· how responsive is it?
Brakes
· are they electro-magnetic brakes?
· is there an additional manual hand brake?
Wheels
The choice of wheels and castors affects the manoeuvrability and smoothness of the ride. Consider the environmental requirements of where the scooter will be used
· the overall wheel size affects the clearance and ability to traverse rough terrain
· smaller wheels are more suitable for indoor use
· are there stabilizing buffers?
· what colour are the tyres?
- grey non-marking tyres for indoor use
- black, suitable for outdoor use only
Accessories
· does it have a holder for mobility aids?
· is there a basket?
· does it have anti-tip wheels?
· does it require a trailer for transportation?
· does it require a hoist to lift it into a car boot?
· can it have an additional cart fitted at the rear?
· is it able to have a shopping trolley connected at the front?
· does it have lights?
· is there a canopy?
Contact the Independent Living Centre for further details.
Licence and Insurance Requirements
Registration requirements for "motorised invalid chairs":
"Motorised invalid chairs" which weigh more than 110 kg when unladen and which are capable of travelling at more than 10 km/hr must be registered if they are to be used on a public street.
Vehicles which weigh not more than 110 kg and travel at less than 10 km/hr and are used solely for the conveyance of an invalid are EXEMPT from registration.
CTP Coverage for Registered Invalid Chairs:
Any vehicle which must be registered must also carry Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance. CTP insurance will cover the at fault owner/driver for damages payable to another person/persons injured in a motor accident which occurs in any part of Australia on a public street or private property.
CTP Coverage for Exempt invalid Chairs:
Motorised wheel chairs which are EXEMPT from registration are not compelled to carry Third Party Insurance (section 8 Motor Accidents Act 1988 and clause 34 (1), Motor Traffic Regulations 1935).
With regard to Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance, although a vehicle which does not need to be registered, does not need CTP insurance, the RTA will still issue Unregistered Vehicle Permits for those vehicles. An Unregistered Vehicle permit has built-in CTP coverage. The permit has a fee.
(i) Nominal Defendant:
The Nominal Defendant Scheme operates in NSW and the ACT.
If the owner or driver of a vehicle which is EXEMPT from registration (and which has not obtained an Unregistered Vehicle Permit - which see below) is found to be at fault in injuring a person on a public street the injured person may make a third party claim against the Nominal Defendant Scheme. The Nominal Defendant
would pay compensation, however, in accordance with section 31(3) of the Motor Accidents Act 1988 it would not seek to recover that payment from the at fault owner or driver of the vehicle if it was EXEMPT from registration and therefore legally on the road.
It is important to note that the Nominal Defendant Scheme operates only in relation to accidents which occur on a public street. It should be noted in this regard, that the definition of 'public street' contained in both the Motor Accidents Act 1988 and the Traffic Act 1909 is broad, incorporating as it does:
"any street, road, lane, thoroughfare, footpath or place open to or used by the public, and includes any place at the time open to or used by the public on the payment of money or otherwise".
Owner/drivers whose vehicle is at fault in causing injury to another person should seek legal advice if the accident occurs in a place which is not commonly understood to be part of the public road network.
(ii) Unregistered Vehicle Permits:
The RTA may issue Unregistered Vehicle Permits (UVPs) for motorised invalid chairs which are EXEMPT from registration. A UVP will permit their temporary use on a public street. UVP will be issued by the RTA along with CTP insurance cover.
The CTP cover is as extensive as a standard green-slip cover and is not limited by any conditions placed by the RTA on the issue of the UVP. It provides compensation any person injured by a negligent driver or owner of a vehicle covered by the UVP and operates in any part of Australia on a public street or private property.
(iii) Public liability policies:
Owners of motorised invalid chairs which are EXEMPT from registration may prefer to take out a public liability policy to gain third party coverage. Care should be taken in seeking such coverage to ensure that the policy does not exclude accidents involving motor vehicles as defined in the Motor Accidents Act 1988.
Registration requirements
In NSW and the ACT, motorised wheelchairs that weigh less than 110 kg and cannot travel at more than 10 km/h do not have to be registered, provided they are being used by a person with mobility problems. A person driving a motorised wheelchair under these circumstances is defined as a pedestrian under the Australian Road Rules 1999 and is permitted to travel on a footpath or nature strip adjacent to the road.
Vehicles exempt from registration are covered by the NSW and ACT nominal defendant schemes (administered by the Motor Accidents Authority in NSW and regulated by the Department of Urban Services in the ACT) if they are at fault in an accident in NSW or the ACT on a road or road-related area and cause injury to another person. However, this cover is only valid in NSW and the ACT.
If you intend to use your motorised wheelchair in another State or Territory you should check the requirements in that jurisdiction with its road transport authority.
Price Guide
Refer to supplier details for pricing.
Supplier Information - click to supplier for contacts details
Additional /images
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