The first step when considering a mobility scooter is to identify your mobility needs, as it is likely that there is a specific model designed for your level of mobility.
Besides the differences between a heavy-duty roadgoing mobility scooter and a more portable folding or car boot model, there is a lot of scope within the regulations for different designs and adaptations to meet specific needs.
However, regardless of the class of vehicle, mobility scooters are designed to be driven responsibly on the pavement and make it easier to get around parks, city centres and urban areas.
A common question that people ask when they try out a mobility scooter for the first time is whether they can use it indoors, such as in shops and shopping centres.
In general mobility scooters can be used in most indoor areas, but it can depend on the particular model and the dimensions of the building itself.
What Does The Law Say?
Under the Equality Act, public buildings and places of business must provide reasonable adjustments to allow for equality of access, which includes the installation of ramps, lifts and wide entry doors.
As powered wheelchairs are also covered by the class 2 mobility scooter legislation, any adjustments designed to allow motorised wheelchairs to navigate a shopping centre or public building will also allow for mobility scooters as well.
Can A Mobility Scooter Be Refused Entry?
The key to the law is “reasonable adjustments”, and whilst the meaning of this can vary, most shops will allow most mobility scooters to be used inside. However, there may be exceptions if there is a belief that the scooter is too big to safely fit inside.
There are no universal rules or guidelines for this, but typically if a shop does not have a large enough entrance or exit, features narrow aisles or tight turning circles.
Most shops will make accommodations and reasonable adjustments, but if a shop believes that a larger mobility scooter may not fit safely inside they might refuse entry, so it is sometimes worth calling ahead of time to see what accessibility provisions a store has if you are uncertain.
The general rule is that the larger the company and the larger the physical shop, the greater the likelihood that they will have a robust accessibility policy and will already have provisions in place to ensure you can get around with your mobility scooter.
As well as this, they are also more likely to make accommodations for larger mobility scooters, as the law does not specify which types of mobility aids need to be accommodated in public buildings.
Many larger shops are designed specifically with the needs of mobility scooters in mind, which is why supermarkets have wide aisles with enough space to accommodate relatively wide turning circles.
A lot of supermarkets even have mobility scooters and wheelchairs available to help people shop, either available for free or to rent.
Alongside the physical dimensions of the shop, staff will be trained to help fetch items and there will often be dedicated tills for people with mobility aids.
