A mobility scooter has given a new lease of life to Brisbane retiree, Jim Anderson, who said he has been extremely impressed with the scooter as a means of transport.
“It is really a safe way to travel and is of great help to anyone who has a mobility problem,” Mr Anderson said.
Growing up as a son of a horse trainer, Mr Anderson joined the Courier-Mail as a cadet journalist and helped produce the first horse racing form guides in the newspaper. Now the current president of The Bernborough Club of Queensland, Mr Anderson, who has seen 18 Melbourne Cups and visited overseas race meetings near Paris, France and England, emphasised the importance of being mobile, even without the use of a car.
“One of the worst things is to lose the use of a car and for me, it is so important to be able to get around,” Mr Anderson said.
“Motorists are very considerate towards scooter drivers. Sharing the road can be confronting, but drivers are really accommodating towards scooter users, especially for those of us using them because of age, injury or medical reasons.”
Mr Anderson praised the Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council for redesigning road corners and guttering to enable scooters to traverse with greater ease.
“It is excellent to see they are supporting this new revolution,” the 80-year-old Kangaroo Point resident said.
He purchased his Shoprider mobility scooter, personalised with an Australian flag, from Easycare Group last year and state manager, Christian Sanby, said the motorised wheelchairs provide freedom for the user.
“A new scooter or power wheel chair will give customers freedom and the opportunity to lead a more interesting and independent lifestyle.
“They enable the users to drive around in a safe manner and allow those with mobility or health issues to get out and about.” He said.
Mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs all fall under the category of motorised wheelchairs with the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads. Users do not need a driver’s licence, however, they must have a doctor’s certificate verifying their severe mobility impairment and the need for assisted travel. In addition, all mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs have to be registered if using public footpaths and roads.
There are no fees for registration or compulsory third party insurance (CTP). CTP is free to registered motorised wheelchair users and is provided by the Nominal Defendant, a statutory body tasked with compensating people who are injured as a result of negligent driving of unidentified and or uninsured motor vehicles. All mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs are restricted by law to a maximum speed of 10km/h and a maximum tare weight of 110kgs. The driver must be capable of operating the machine safely and must observe all Queensland road rules as well as those relating to pedestrians. For further mobility scooter requirements, contact Easycare Group Australia.