How to prepare road mobility scooters for colder weather conditions

Summer is drawing to an end and we’re seeing a return to cooler weather. It’s going to get colder and wetter in the coming months, so it’s essential to ensure that your mobility scooter is well prepared. We’ve put together some useful tips to help you get out and about safely, no matter what the weather decides to throw at us.

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Check your road mobility scooters tyres

Your mobility scooter tyres are the only point of contact with the ground, so they need to be robust, correctly inflated and in good condition. Check each one thoroughly and replace any tyres that are worn or damaged. Icy conditions are a particular hazard at this time of year, so if you’re at all concerned about the state of your mobility scooter tyres, now is the time to replace them.

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Make yourself visible

The sun is positioned lower in the sky at this time of year, and we have fewer hours of daylight. So keeping visible is an essential aspect of keeping safe. 

You can easily fit safety lights to road mobility scooters, but it’s a good idea to add some hi-visibility clothing for yourself too. Look for weather-proof jackets, capes and ponchos that will keep you warm and dry, as well as signalling your presence to other road users. 

If you have a Class 3 mobility scooter, which can be used on roads and pavements, high visibility clothing is even more important so that pedestrians are aware of your presence too.

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Keep your mobility scooter dry

You can purchase all-weather canopies for most types of mobility scooters, which will make life more pleasant when you’re out and about in wet weather. But if you don’t have one of these it’s important to wipe down your mobility scooter once you get home. 

Leaving it wet will cause corrosion and rust over time, so it’s essential to keep your mobility scooter dry when not in use. If you can’t store it safely in a warm garage or undercover, you can purchase a storage cover so it’s ready for use whenever you need it.

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Top up your battery

Road mobility scooters work best when the battery is fully charged and well-maintained. So make a point of charging your battery after each use, so it’s always fully topped up for your next journey.

If your current battery isn’t quite up to the job any more, now is the perfect time to buy a new one, so you’ll have all the power you need during the winter months.

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Get it serviced

The best option as winter approaches is to arrange to have road mobility scooters serviced. This gives absolute peace of mind, ensuring that your scooter is fully roadworthy, fit for purpose and ready for the winter weather. This will also highlight any issues with batteries or tyres, so you can address these concerns before they become major problems.

And finally, remember to check on weather conditions before making any journeys. Ice and snow are hazardous for all road users, so if you don’t need to make your journey it’s better to stay safe at home until the weather clears.