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Can I Ride My Mobility Scooter in the Dark? Posted: January 27, 2023 @ 8:54 am |
To invest in a high-quality mobility scooter is to empower yourself with a whole new sense of freedom and independence. From socialising to weekends away to simply running basic errands, everything becomes that much simpler with a good mobility scooter. Even so, it is natural to have concerns and reservations where certain outdoor conditions are concerned. Particularly for those who are new to the world of mobility scooters, negotiating darker conditions can be particularly daunting. But what you quickly learn as you get the hang of it is that riding a mobility scooter in the dark can be just as safe as riding in daylight. It can also be surprisingly enjoyable, paving the way for relaxed evenings out with family and friends. The key to staying safe when riding a mobility scooter in the dark lies in taking the same common sense precautions as when heading out and about at night in general; specifically there are five essential health and safety guidelines recommended by experts, which can make for a much more confident experience when heading out at night: 1. Plan Ahead It is always advisable to plan your journey ahead of time. Ensure you know exactly how you will get to and from your destination and perhaps try out the route first during daylight. If possible, stick with places and pathways you already know, so there’s a much lower likelihood of encountering any issues along the way. It’s worth bearing in mind that some of the places you head may look quite different at night and may not be particularly well-illuminated. Low visibility can make for less pleasant conditions when operating a mobility scooter, so it is better to plan your route via well-lit areas where possible. Add Lights Some of the larger mobility scooters are fitted with LED lights, but many smaller models only feature reflectors. If your scooter did not come with pre-fitted lights, it is a good idea to think about fitting some yourself. There are plenty of specialist lights available for mobility scooters and you will also find that most standard bicycle lights can be mounted with relative ease. Simply by adding a basic front and rear light to your scooter, you will make yourself significantly more visible (and therefore safe) when travelling at night. Add Reflective Items There’s no such thing as being too visible at night, so it is always worth setting yourself up with a few extra reflective items. For example, a high-visibility saddle bag could be just the thing to make your scooter much more visible from the rear. There are various different types of high-visibility mobility scooter bags available, which in most instances are universally compatible with most models. It can also be useful to add reflective items to your person, such as armbands and reflective strips. Your aim should be to make yourself visible from every angle while placing particularly heavy emphasis on your front and rear. Take an Alarm Irrespective of where you head in darker conditions, it is worth considering carrying a portable alarm. This is a simple device that emits a high-power audible signal at the push of a button, for alerting others in the vicinity to your presence. Should you run into difficulties for any reason or find yourself targeted by an opportunists criminal, a basic portable alarm could be enough to keep you out of harm’s way. Tell Someone Where You’re Going Keeping at least one other person informed of your plans (and your progress along the way) can make for a safe, confident and enjoyable outing. Tell someone where you are going, when you should arrive and what time you will be back. Keep your mobile phone on so they can contact you, and you can contact them if need be. You could even go so far as to activate the GPS feature on your mobile device and share your location, enabling friends and family members to see exactly where you are in real-time. For anyone who finds the prospect of going out at night particularly daunting, this kind of door-to-door tracking can be surprisingly reassuring.
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