Riding Tips For A Mobility Scooter

Alberta's Traffic Safety Act defines a Mobility Scooter as a “Mobility aid” means a device used to facilitate the transport, in a normal seated orientation, of a person with a physical disability.

Special laws: A mobility aid user is by definition considered a pedestrian. All rules that apply to pedestrians also apply to individuals operating a mobility aid. (Traffic Safety Act, Section 1, definition of “pedestrian”)

• A mobility aid user is, by definition, considered a pedestrian.
• All rules that apply to pedestrians also apply to individuals operating a mobility aid.
• It is recommended that a mobility aid be operated on sidewalks or pathways, not a roadway.

Riding Tips:

1. Slow down when you make turns.
2. Using caution turning uphill while driving. The angle of the slope and your speed could cause the scooter to tip.
3. If an automobile is parked near your crossing, use extra caution to make sure other drivers can see you.
4. If you are in a mall or on a busy sidewalk there may be people walking much slower than your scooter. Remember that even if a scooter is considered a pedestrian, you must yield to people walking.
5. Driving in rainy conditions and through water puddles could damage the motor or controls. Also try not to use the scooter during very cold weather with snow and ice.
6. When you step off your scooter, you should always take the keys out first as you do not want to touch the throttle while getting on or off the scooter.
7. Look for ramps or curb cuts to use instead of driving straight off of a curb. You may want to know if there is a ramp on the other sidewalk as you do not want to get stuck on the road.