Mobility
Freerider Network, Luggie
The Luggie is the only scooter allowed into the cabins of aeroplanes. It folds neatly to the size of a small suitcase and tips back on its own wheels to be trolleyed down the aisle before being stowed away. The lithium battery takes just 40 minutes to charge and will go for up to 12 miles.
From: www.freerider.com.tw
Price: £3,600
Kudos First Ltd, Mega Lite EQ
The EQ tag is short for ‘Equilibrium’ and relates to the balance that the scooter helps to maintain. The EQ is the only scooter with a universal joint steering system; the tiller doesn’t twist as it is turned allowing for light touch manoeuvrability. The self righting side casters help to provide the stability of four wheels whilst maintaining the precision of a three wheeler.
The EQ also collapses for transportation and storage in seconds without the need for either strength or struggle as it slides apart and back together again.
From: www.kudosfirst.co.uk
Trekinetic, K2
The monocoque seat, adjustable wheel camber, drum brakes and gas shock absorbers give the biggest clues to the fact that this wheelchair is based on an F1 car. Quick release wheels will certainly make pit stops easier. It’s also a lean eye catching model that gets people pointing (in a good way). Don’t think that it’s just for action sports; it makes a great everyday chair too.
From: www.trekinetic.com
Price: £2,595
Handicare, Alex Powerchair
The stepless adjustment means that the Handicare can be personalised to a precise degree instead of having to select the nearest ratchet setting. With a top speed of 8mph, vai independent wishbone suspension and Sedeo seating system for postural support, it’s a swift and smooth ride. The neat looking brush aluminium frame can carry up to 25 stone.
From: www.handicare.co.uk
Price: From £5,500
Ortomotion, Borgarelli
The Borgarelli is all about details. The chrome lighting and gloss silver finish sit so nicely with the alloy wheelhubs that the ‘Bentley-esque’ badge doesn’t look out of place. A top speed of 8mph, ergonomic handlebars, handy tiller storage compartment and tidy styling add up to a scooter that’s a cut above.
From: www.ortomotion.com
All Terrain Wheelchairs, Extreme 8
Snow, sand, mud; it really doesn’t matter what the state of the highway is, the four wheel drive Extreme 8 will rumble on at a steady 6.2mph. Users up to 28 stone can expect a range of 12 miles with the seating and decals fully customisable.
From: www.allterrainwheelchairs.co.uk
Price: £10,600
Active Controls, Joy Bar Hand Controls
Not everyone can use a joystick and this simple factor should not mean that those people can’t use mobility scooters and the like. The modular drive input can be moved to any position on the scooter for control purposes.
From: www.activecontrols.com
Benoit Systems, Light Drive
A lightweight (up to 8kg) power pack means that any manual wheelchair can become a powerchair in an instant. The set up is quick and simple using a 24v motor producing the required friction to drive the wheels.
From: www.benoitsystems.com
Price: £3,995
Alfred Bekker, Excel Vanos
A click and go battery pack can turn a manual wheelchair into a less cumbersome object for people that push: carers and parents in particular. It’s easy to fit, can carry 18 stone and the chunky casters don’t mind where. The hand control unit can be used by carer or user alike.
From: www.alfredbekker.co.uk
Price: £699
Chunc, Chunc 45 Recline & Tilt
Modular construction (from aircraft standard aluminium) means that there is a space for growth of up to five inches (per size of model: x small, small, medium and large) measured by femur growth. It also has contour adjustable features that help with postural management. Swing away thoracic supports and independent footplates will be a help to carers as will the ability to tilt the chair 45° and recline to 165°.
From: www.chunc.com
Scooter Store, Scooter Store
Scooters can take up a great deal of room when dragged into the garage, or worse still, the house. Scooter Store is a simple portable steel box that will protect your scooter or wheelchair from the elements and theft as well as being a handy charge-up station.
From: www.site-safe.co.uk
Price: £1,695