Choosing a folding mobility scooter in Canada

Choosing a Mobility Scooter

There are always many factors to consider when choosing a folding mobile scooter. What configuration, three-wheeled or four-wheeled? What options and features? What type of battery, how long will it last? SmartScoot™ has written a short guide explaining differences between 3 popular scooter brands. When you choose the right mobile scooter for your lifestyle, you will be amazed that you can go almost anywhere. Many people enjoy travel, outings and daily activities. You may like flying to exotic destinations, visiting the park or taking a relaxing cruise. You do not have to let a mobility difficulty repress you. SmartScoot™ mobile scooters are designed to be versatile and allow you to be as active as you want to be.

A compact, lightweight, folding scooter can be a crucial tool. Unlike a full-size powerchair, a compact, folding scooter allows you to easily take it with you in the car, on planes or cruise ships. Lightweight scooters may be smaller than a full-size power chair, but they are heavy-duty and boast a full weight capacity. A heavy-duty, compact scooter is an excellent tool for getting around, especially for people who have difficulty walking extended distances. When you are coping with a mobility challenge there is no need to feel debilitated. For example, the SmartScoot™ compact mobile scooter weighs slightly less than 40 pounds when fully assembled. Its heaviest piece is 27 pounds when disassembled for storage.

Different Canadian provinces may have different laws pertaining to electric, folding mobile scooters. For instance, Ontario considers scooters and wheelchairs to be the same, regardless of whether they use manual or powered locomotion. In contrast, Quebec has created rules to govern the use of electric mobility scooters and Alberta considers mobility scooters to be the same as pedestrians. Please ensure you understand and comply with all relevant local laws when using an electric mobility scooter.

Travel

The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority is a Crown corporation responsible for securing specific elements of the air transportation system. They have specific rules that require mobile scooter batteries to be checked with the scooter and not contained in carry-on luggage. The SmartScoot™ can be driven to the end of the jetway, easily collapsed, and left for baggage handlers to store in the cargo hold. It will be returned at the end of the flight as close to the aircraft door as possible.

If you are flying with Air Canada and you’re traveling with a battery-powered mobility aid (e.g. wheelchair or scooter), please:

• Complete and print two copies of our online Powered Mobility Aid Information Form
• Affix one copy of the form to your mobility aid. It will serve as a useful handling guide.
• Keep the other copy for yourself and have it available in case the one affixed to your mobility aid comes off and gets lost.
• If you do not feel comfortable printing and completing the form from home, you may request a form at the airport and complete it there. If possible, bring a picture of your mobility aid so that it can be attached to the form.