I'm proud of my mobility scooter, there's no shame

As users face increasing road dangers and stigma, Jim Britt shares how riding a mobility scooter has given him a new lease of life, while an expert reveals what to look for when buying yours

- Edited by HANNAH BRITT

Mobility scooter users are facing a rising amount of abuse, triggering calls for urgent action to address the stigma.

Retailers, alongside charities, scooter users and leading academics, want the government to act in response to a growing number of road injuries as well as poor provision for users on the road and ill-treatment.

Up to 800,000 people rely on them, and despite being a legal means to get about for people with disabilities and mobility issues, mobility scooters are often sneered at and seen as an annoyance.

"This needs to stop - and fast," says CareCo founder Will Harrison. And the first step is to open up the conversation about their use.

"There is a significant stigma surrounding mobility issues, which often leads to complete exclusion of the topic altogether," says Will.

"Mobility issues are far more common than many expect, and it's important for us as a society to be adaptable, removing any potential barriers to those less mobile.

"All people should be able to make decisions that benefit their everyday, which is why we want to start the conversation about mobility scooters. We want to empower others to speak up, tell their stories and be themselves, with whatever aid they require to make life that bit easier."

Mobility scooters can cost from a few hundred pounds to more than £12,000. But who should get one?

"Anyone who needs it," says Will. "Mobility scooters are designed for anyone who finds walking long distances or travelling around in their daily life somewhat uncomfortable, but who wants to remain independent and active.

"While they're especially valuable for older adults, they're equally as important for people with limited mobility or those who live with conditions that make walking tiring or painful."