Transporting Your Mobility Aid Safely

When you’re embarking on a trip in the car, transporting your mobility aid shouldn’t be a roadblock. This blog is here to guide you every step of the way, from choosing the right vehicle tailored to your needs to the intricacies of disassembling and securely storing your aid. Plus, we’ll explore accessibility once you’ve reached your destination as well as preparing for unexpected emergencies. After this guide, you’ll be able to navigate your daily life without delay and with confidence.

Using the Right Vehicle

The first place to start is the vehicle you wish to use. Make sure that your vehicle’s boot space is large enough to fit your mobility aid along with the rest of your travel essentials. Also consider if you are transporting your aid alone of with additional passengers. 

For transporting rollators and walking aids, this will be much easier as they are less bulky, whereas a wheelchair needs more consideration. Using a foldable wheelchair will certinitely make life easier.  

Choosing a vehicle with adequate interior space such as a SUV or minivan will allow you to securely fit your mobility aid without causing damage during transit. If you use a wheelchair or mobility scooter, look for vehicles with accessible features such as ramps or lifts. These features make it easier to load and unload your aid without straining yourself. Some vehicles come with built-in accessibility options, while others may require modifications.

Finally, ensuring that your mobility aid remains secure during transportation is essential. Look for vehicles equipped with tie-down systems, wheelchair restraints, and locking mechanisms to prevent any movement or shifting while on the road.

Disassembling Your Mobility Aid

If you don’t have a suitable vehicle and need to fold away or disassemble your mobility aid for transport, there are solutions available. Wheelchairs like the Magnelite Wheelchair and rollators like the Let’s Go Out 4-Wheeled Rollator fold up horizontally for easier storage and some electric wheelchairs also fold,  like the Quickie Q50 R Carbon. For models that require disassembling, always consult the manufactuers guidelines for help. 

Securing Your Mobility Aid Properly

Protecting the wheelchair from moving around and damaging itself and the vehicle is one of the biggest challenges of transportation. Ensure that the wheelchair is secured within the vehicle.

If you are using the back seat of the vehicle, this heavy equipment should not be carried behind a seat without keeping it in place with proper equipment. Protection in transit should be done with equipment such as luggage or wheelchair restraint straps. Check the manufacturer’s guide on how to fasten safety straps to the aid for further instructions.

Accessibility at Your Destination

Considering your destination is one aspect that goes under the radar, but is nonetheless essential to having enough access to get in and out of the vehicle. Look for disabled parking spaces with enough room for your needs, which can be found beforehand on the government guide to registered disabled driver spaces or various mapping sites dedicated to showing “blue parking” spaces.

Plan For Emergencies

Being prepared for emergencies on the road is even more important when travelling with heavy equipment and disabled passengers. Keep manual lightweight mobility aids close by as an additional means of movement, be it a cane, crutches, walker or foldable wheelchair. If anything goes wrong with the security of the luggage straps, stop the vehicle as soon as possible and fix the issue.

Flying With Your Mobility Aid

A commercial flight with a mobility aid gives you access to more special assistance than with a car or van. Assistance can usually be requested over the phone or via an online form, both of which can be found on the flight provider’s website. This should be conducted well before the date of the flight to ensure that assistance can be arranged, and you should get to the airport at least three hours before takeoff to get staff more time to give you a quality service.

If you’re looking for a transportable mobility aid to take with you on your travels, The Mobility Aids Centre has the UK’s highest-quality selection of wheelchairs, rollators, walking aids and more to help you. Our team would be glad to show or talk to you about the various options available. To do so please give us a call on 01733 342242 or visit our showroom today.