Mobility Scooters: Freedom on four small wheels

For many, mobility scooters are a symbol of freedom. Thankfully, over last two decades attitudes towards these small yet sturdy machines have shifted. The social stigma that once surrounded these vehicles has eroded, and manufacturers have moved from staid designs towards promoting mobility scooters as lifestyle accessories.

As our population ages, the numbers speak volumes. In 20 years, the UK will see a 40% increase in those aged over 65, and households with an eldest member aged over 85 are growing faster than any other group. Yet ageism remains entrenched: one in three people in the UK report facing age discrimination. In this environment, mobility scooters often become unwitting symbols of the battle against ageist attitudes.

The stigma of independence?

Why the negativity? Part of it might stem from outdated perceptions of aging itself. To many, a mobility scooter represents vulnerability rather than autonomy. We cling to the myth that independence equals walking unaided, ignoring the fact that these vehicles allow many older people to maintain their independence, not lose it. Isolation is a real risk in later life, especially for those with limited mobility. A scooter can mean the difference between loneliness and being part of the world - shopping, meeting friends, enjoying the fresh air.

Despite the growing need, proper provision for mobility scooters is often lacking. Shops can be obstacle courses, pavements treacherous. And parking? Forget it.

Infrastructure still largely caters to the able-bodied, reflecting a broader reluctance to adapt to our aging reality. It’s as though we've decided to look the other way, hoping we’ll never need a scooter ourselves. Spoiler: Many of us will.

We need a cultural shift - actively celebrating scooters as symbols of empowerment, not emblems of decline. Let's start with semantics. Mobility scooters are still officially classified as 'invalid carriages' in the UK. The government has been talking about replacing this term with a more descriptive one for many years.

Better infrastructure is key, but so is visibility. Let’s see more positive representations of scooter users, highlighting active, engaged lives. Policy changes can help, too: mobility scooter insurance providers like us at ETA already offer comprehensive cover, including 24/7 breakdown recovery, for just £65 a year. Practical support like this is important, but the real battle is in changing hearts and minds.

ETA offers a fully-comprehensive policy with no hidden costs; one upfront price covers you on any mobility scooter, and a host of benefits are included as standard:

       
• Theft and Damage*
       
• Personal Accident up to £20,000
       
• Personal liability up to £2m
       
• Breakdown Cover for you and your mobility scooter (including home rescue)
       
• Replacement scooter hire up to £250
       
• Hospital Benefit up to £250 (no daily limit)
       
• New for old - however old your scooter
       
• Personal Effects up to £250
       
• Puncture cover up to £100

* You can insure your scooter for £3,500, £5,000. £7,500 or even £10,000. Mobility scooter insurance from the ETA is great value at £65 per year for a scooter or powered wheelchair worth up to £3,500. And you can buy the same policy to cover two people at the same address for a total price of only £90 per year - a 30 per cent saving.

Find out more about ETA mobility scooter insurance here or if you prefer to talk to one of our friendly advisers, call 0333 000 1234.

The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover  and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK's most ethical provider.

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