Mobility Scooters for Paraplegics (Wheelchair Alternative?)
Mobility scooters for paraplegics should support a proper seating position, ease transfer to and from the mobility scooter, and protect the rider from pain triggers.
The user must have the upper body strength to operate the tiller (steering) and throttle and enough range of motion to operate the controls.
In this article, I will show you how the scooter’s tires, tiller, throttle, seat type, seat features, seat accessories, deck height, suspension, brakes, storage, and mobility aid storage add-ons can help you with paraplegic mobility scooter riding issues.
I’m not covering transfer options, which is something I’m sorry about. I have to leave it to you to figure out. I am a mobility scooter expert. I don’t know enough about transfer protocols to add to what you probably already know.
- There are pros and cons to choosing a mobility scooter over a wheelchair.
- Some off-shelf and custom mobility scooter features can make your ride safe and enjoyable.
- Not all feature options apply to paraplegic users, but I will teach you about the choices that matter to any rider so you can be an informed buyer.
- A throttle can be one-handed or ambidextrous (use either hand)
- A deck height determines how high a step you make to board your scooter
- The seat rotation feature can make it easier to get on and off the mobility scooter
- The brakes can be automatic (good) or manual (requires you to squeeze a lever)
- The seat can be significant and cushioned or small and less comfortable; if you’re in pain, seat choices matter.
- Armrests can be padded and adjustable for your comfort
- Mobility aid storage gives you a proper place to put your oxygen, cane, or crutches.
- Suspension coils protect you from feeling the bumps and dives in the road.
- The tire type can impact whether you feel the bumps in the road, which are, I promise you, annoying when you’re not feeling well.
Mobility Scooters for Paraplegics: Are They The Right Option?
Disability forces one to stay indoors, away from fresh air, sunshine, and other people (and their awesome pets).
Using a mobility scooter gets you back outside, where people, pets, fresh air, and sunshine await you.
My trip to the beach using my new mobility scooter was my first time outdoors for that long in years.
Key takeaways:
The mobility scooter and wheelchair market is producing some badass designs that conquer challenges from off-road and urban navigation.
But I have to ask if mobility scooters for paraplegics are the right choice.
Some mobility scooters are superior to wheelchairs, but the reverse is true.
Advantages of Mobility Scooters Over Wheelchairs
The potential advantages of choosing a mobility scooter for paraplegics include:
- Mobility scooters cause less upper body strain than manual wheelchairs, requiring arm and shoulder exertion.
- Many mobility scooters have a more extended travel range than power wheelchairs.
- A mobility scooter can be less stigmatizing than a wheelchair.
- Mobility scooters often have more storage options than wheelchairs do.
- Quality scooters can be less expensive than high-end power wheelchairs.
Disadvantages of Wheelchairs Over Mobility Scooters
However, there are also significant drawbacks:
- Mobility scooters almost always have a larger turning radius than wheelchairs.
- Users must be able to transfer to and from the mobility scooter seat.
- Mobility scooters can be bulkier and more challenging to transport than some wheelchair models.
- Mobility scooters are often impractical in tight indoor spaces.
- Wheelchairs often provide better postural support for long-term sitting.
- Wheelchairs typically offer more customization options.
Which Features Make a Paraplegic-Friendly Mobility Scooter?
A mobility scooter can add joy to your life so long as it doesn’t add to your existing problems.
Let’s put together a paraplegic-friendly mobility scooter.
Control Options
Throttle
The throttle is like the gas pedal on a car.
There’s little about it on its face that triggers pain, but you should know about the throttle options. This is where your hand is during the entire drive.
Most people will do best with the wigwag throttle (also known as ambidextrous) because it allows you to drive with either hand.
The throttle options are:
- Thumb lever: A small lever you push with your thumb. Great for those with limited hand strength or dexterity.
- Twist grip: This grip is similar to a motorcycle throttle. You twist it to go. It’s ideal if you have good grip strength.
- Wigwag: A see-saw style lever you can operate with either hand (ambidextrous). Perfect for users with strength on only one side.
The thumb and twist throttles are usually right-hand only.
This can sometimes be arranged when you order for people who want a left-hand operation.
The wigwag throttle is ambidextrous, so you can use either hand.
Usually, it’s set up so that to move forward, you pull toward you with the right hand or push away from you with the left.
The opposite goes in reverse. You push with your right or pull with your left to reverse the mobility scooter.
Yes, it gets confusing sometimes. But when you start going wrong, you correct your actions by doing the opposite.
Tiller
The tiller is the steering wheel of the mobility scooter.
The most popular tiller type is the delta wraparound.
Choosing the delta can help you avoid uncomfortable positions when steering.
Here are your tiller choices and more about the delta’s advantages.
You can choose a tiller shape, height, and angle.
- Adjustable angle tillers allow you to bring the steering closer or push it further away.
- Adjustable height tillers allow you to raise or lower the steering apparatus.
- A delta tiller (a wraparound) is a triangle with a large surface area for easy gripping.
- A T-bar tiller is a crossbar atop the vertical pole with much less surface area to grab.
A delta wraparound tiller is the best choice because you can use either hand to steer it.
The alternative is a T-Bar tiller.
This T-Bar handlebar has the smallest surface area, just enough to host the throttle and a manual brake lever.
The delta is preferable for hand issues because delta wraparounds have a large surface area.
You can control the steering by nudging anywhere along a big triangle, and honestly, you could do it with your feet if you were so positioned.
The delta tiller is usually wrapped in a soft neoprene that also helps you hold on to steer.
A third reason a delta is better is that it is closer to you as a rider.
The T-Bar sits atop the tiller pole, while the delta enters the space between the seat and the rod.
In other words, the T-bar makes you reach more to steer.
An angle-adjustable tiller allows you to bring the steering apparatus closer to you or push it away for more legroom.
You might find that angling the tiller toward you makes it easier to sit comfortably while riding.
A height-adjustable tiller raises up or down, so it’s for taller or shorter users.
Brakes
The braking system you choose can significantly impact avoiding pain-triggering events.
There are two types of brakes:
- Automatic brakes: You let go of the throttle to engage the automatic brakes. The cool thing about automatic brakes is that they are “on” by default.
- Manual brakes: You squeeze a lever to control whether the manual brakes are on or off.
The automatic brake is safer and easier to use than the manual brake.
If your power shuts off (say you’re going up a steep hill and the motor is overloaded), the mobility scooter will throw a fuse to save itself.
If the mobility scooter has a manual brake, you will squeeze the brake lever to prevent going backward.
Automatic brakes are much safer because they automatically kick in without power.
The scooter comes to a complete stop, brakes fully engaged, and there’s no rolling backward.
Some larger mobility scooters have auxiliary manual brakes, but automatic brakes are the first line of defense.
Automatic brakes are usually listed as “Electromagnetic” or “Automatic.”
The automatic variety saves you from reaching for the brake, squeezing its lever, and maintaining that squeeze when you’re on an incline.
Seats
The seat options affect your comfort (via cushions) and positioning.
I currently have three mobility scooters. All have half-seats, and the scooters do not have suspension systems.
I can feel every bump and hole in the road and sidewalk.
If I were already in pain, this would be intolerable.
For people in pain, the best defense is a comfortable seat (the Captain’s seat is best), a suspension system, and air-filled tires (we’ll get to this below).
Seat Types
If you plan to use a seatbelt, then look at the seat’s back height.
A wheelchair seatbelt reliably wraps around the back of the chair because wheelchair backs are universally at least shoulder blade height.
A half-seat on a mobility scooter might reach only to your ribs. Securing a seat belt around a Captain’s seat, or at least a full-height seat, will ensure it does not slip off.
Captain’s Seat
A Captain’s seat is the most padded and the largest of the mobility scooter seat options. It is designed for comfort.
It has a tall backrest topped with a headrest and adjustable padded armrests.
It has a swivel function allowing you to rotate the seat for easier on and off and for using the seat while attending events.
The recline feature allows you to move the backrest back at an angle as you would with a recliner chair in the living room.
Stadium Seat
A stadium seat is a full-sized, cushioned seat with armrests, a high backrest, and ample padding, similar to what you might find on office chairs or car seats.
Its padding and comfort options are better than a half seat, but not as nice as a Captain’s seat.
A stadium seat typically has nice padding, a full back, and some subset of the reclining, swivel and slider functions.
Half Seat
A half seat is usually smaller, with less padding and lower back support.
It might have padded armrests and movement functions, but the lack of padding and coverage make it best for shorter trips.
Seat Movements
Swivel Seat (Rotating)
A swivel seat can rotate 360 degrees.
This feature can point the seat toward you before sitting down.
It lets you sit down first, then put your feed on the floorboard.
A swivel seat that rotates toward you can be an excellent option to aid in the transfer process, but only if you can operate the seat once you are on the scooter.
The catch is whether you’re OK with returning the swivel seat to the drive position.
Usually, this means reaching under the seat to pull a lever and using core strength to twist the seat 90 degrees back toward the tiller.
If you can use the rotation, it’s a helpful feature.
But it may not work for you if you can’t gain leverage to rotate it while sitting.
If you can use it, you can also use the seat swivel when using your scooter at a restaurant table or hanging out at the park.
Seat Reclining
A reclining seat allows you to angle the seat back backward.
This is the same movement as in a living room recliner chair.
Larger people can use the recline feature to add room to their ride.
For some people (myself included), reclining is an excellent way to relieve back pain.
Slider Seat (Sliding Seat)
A sliding seat reduces or enlarges the space between the seat and the tiller, depending on how you slide it.
This is the movement of your car seat when you slide toward the steering wheel to get closer or away from it to make more room.
The slider helps taller and shorter people create the correct distance between their arms and the steering controls.
Another catch is whether you can operate the slider (similar to returning the swivel seat to the front).
For non-paraplegics, the seat slide works by pushing down with the feet and pressing the body backward or forward.
You might be able to operate the slider by holding onto the tiller, but I don’t know. It doesn’t feel like an option.
If you are testing a sliding seat, please let me know your experience.
I will share it (anonymously) with my readers. Contact me. Thanks!
Seat Options and Add-Ons
Some mobility scooters include seat upgrades, and you can also buy some upgrades in the aftermarket.
Seat Cushions
Many mobility scooters offer optional padded seat upgrades, such as going from a default half-seat to a stadium seat.
You can also purchase excellent seat cushions at medical stores and on the web.
I find the standard full-size mobility scooter seats to be much too hard, and will be buying cushions for comfort soon.
Armrests
Armrests are often standard on full-size and heavy-duty mobility scooters.
They’re usually padded for comfort.
Many mobility scooters (especially those from Pride Mobility) have width-adjustable armrests.
You can make them wider or narrower to the seat.
Once in a while, you’ll see height-adjustable armrests.
Another option is removing the armrests if that works for your comfort.
Suspension System
A suspension system puts coils above the wheels (and sometimes under the seat) to cushion the bumps and jolts of the road.
If you are in any pain, this, combined with seat cushions, will make riding a pleasure instead of a pain.
Suspension is one of the three components of a pain-free, comfortable ride:
- Suspension to soften the bumps
- A Captain’s seat for a cushioned experience
- Air-filled tires to prevent vibrations up the chain
Tires
Air-filled tires provide a more comfortable ride than solid ones.
You will likely find air-filled tires on “bariatric” mobility scooters for heavy people.
A suspension package and padded seat reduce road bumps, and air-filled tires are the cherry on top.
Seat Belt
A seat belt is optional on some mobility scooters, and you can often buy one at the aftermarket.
None are as substantial as wheelchair seat belts, and their use depends on the seat being tall enough to act as leverage behind where the seat belt ends are clipped together.
Vive Health makes wheelchair seat belts and mobility scooters. Interestingly, they do not make seat belts for scooters, just for wheelchairs. This makes me wonder if they design mobility scooters for paraplegics.
This seat belt looks like it will work on a mobility scooter, so long as the chair is solid in back.
Deck Options
Deck Length
Longer mobility scooters typically have more legroom.
The length can affect the distance of your hands to the controls.
If the mobility scooter is too long, for example, you might compensate with an angle-adjustable tiller that brings the steering closer to you.
A typical full-size mobility scooter deck is 40 inches. People who want less distance can get a shorter deck.
Deck Height
The deck height refers to the distance from the ground to the floorboard. A lower deck height requires fewer steps to get on board.
It’s relevant to non-paraplegic users who might have difficulty stepping onto the platform.
Mobility Aid Storage
Some mobility scooters have storage options for mobility and health aids, such as canes, crutches, and oxygen tanks.
When you see “hitch” accessories, that refers to optional mobility aid attachments.
Which Size and Type of Mobility Scooter Should You Get?
The choices of which size mobility scooter to get include small, medium, and large, which the industry refers to as:
- Compact
- Full-size
- Heavy-duty
You would choose a compact or full-size for indoor or indoor-outdoor use.
Most heavy-duty mobility scooters are outdoor-only because they’re too big to use indoors.
The compact and full-size mobility scooters can be portable as well.
If you want to put the mobility scooter in the car, you may want a take-apart (disassembly) portable mobility scooter.
These break into smaller pieces so you can lift the pieces into the car.
Some folding mobility scooters are also light and small enough for car portability.
For cruise ships (when you’re not getting a handicapped room), look for a mobility scooter less than 24 inches wide.
For airplane portability, look for a compact or full-size mobility scooter with an “airline-approved” battery. This battery has 200 or fewer watt hours and will be marked “airline friendly” or not.
How to Identify the Type of Mobility Scooter
I have my head in mobility scooters 10 hours a day, so it’s obvious to me when I’m looking at a heavy duty bariatric or a portable folding travel scooter.
I made this slideshow for you so you can see what I see.
This should make shopping much easier.
Top Paraplegic Mobility Scooters
Here are my favorite mobility scooter choices for paraplegic people dealing with pain.
1. EV Rider City Rider
The EV Rider City Rider was designed with user comfort in mind.
It cushions the ride with huge air-filled tires, front and back suspension, and a pillow-filled Captain’s seat.
I don’t know the deck-to-ground height, but the ground clearance is only 2.5 inches, so it’s a small step from the ground to the deck.
The 46.4-in. length gives you room to stretch your legs. You can also rest your feet in the wheel wells.
The 23.2 in. width makes it an indoor mobility scooter.
However, it has no seatbelt option and is not a portable mobility scooter. It doesn’t disassemble or fold, and the battery is not airline-friendly.
The seat adjusts in every possible direction, including height, sliding back and forth, and rotating, to make it easy to get on and off.
The hitch accepts mobility aid options for your oxygen, crutches, or cane.
The armrests are width-adjustable and padded.
The throttle is an ambidextrous wigwam, so you can use either hand to drive.
The brakes are automatic, requiring no squeezing. Just let go of the throttle.
The delta wraparound tiller gives you plenty of soft neoprene to hold for steering.
Besides its lack of seatbelt and portability, the City Rider is a perfect mobility scooter.
2. EV Rider Nomad
The EV Rider doesn’t have every possible accommodation, but it is uniquely portable and has a 20 lb. heaviest piece.
This is the lightest “heaviest piece” of all disassembling mobility scooters I’ve studied.
This means you can take apart the Nomad; the most you have to lift into the car trunk is 20 lb.
The EV Rider Nomad has four-wheel stability, can go as fast as four mph, and has a 7-10 mile range and a 260-lb. weight capacity.
The ground to deck is only 3 inches, making it an easy step to get on or off.
The seat rotates 360 degrees so you can sit down before entering the driving position.
It’s only a stadium seat, but it has a 2-inch cushion for comfort. The wheels have a full suspension package.
Unfortunately, the tires are solid, so you will want to go slowly over any bumps to keep the ride less rocky.
The padded armrests are adjustable. The wigwam throttle is ambidextrous, so you can accelerate with your right or left hand.
You don’t need to do anything to brake as the electromagnetic brakes are automatically engaged when you let go of the throttle.
The tiller is a T-Bar rather than a delta wraparound, so the surface area is smaller.
With only a 20-inch width, the Nomad is an indoor-outdoor mobility scooter.
Conclusion
A mobility scooter brings you back to people, fresh air, and sunshine.
If you get a mobility scooter with the right accommodations for your situation, you can enjoy life like the person you once were.
The choices are pretty easy because they’re often the default (auto stopping breaks, delta tiller, and ambidextrous throttle) are industry default options.
Now, you can confidently shop for a mobility scooter, knowing you have the best possible chances for success.
Have a look:
