I’ve got to admit it – I love my mobility scooter. I’ve been using them now for about ten years, graduating from a small Shoprider which had a top speed of 4mph, would do about 10 miles to the charge, and could just take me around the local shops and neighbourhood etc to a much larger machine which goes up to 10mph and can do 30 miles to the charge. I can go into Brighton on this from my home in Woodingdean.

I only have partial use in my legs and, whilst I like walking and do as much as I can, I can’t go very far without enduring terrible pain, tiredness and falling over a lot. So my scooter is a real bonus helping me to get about a lot better and giving me the independence that able-bodied people take for granted.

An increasing number of disabled people and elderly folk are getting around in one of these scooters or one of many types of electric wheelchairs which are now available from the growing number of shops selling them. As the spring and summer comes on you will see more and more of us around. Both wheelchairs and mobility scooters are becoming very much a fashion item and you will see users often discussing the latest models, what they can do and gadgets you can get for them. As far as I am concerned as long as it gets me from A to B that’s all I want from the thing. To the disgust of some drivers, we are not only just taking to the pavements we are taking to the roads. The larger mobility scooters, like the one I have, are able to travel on the road for which scooter owners can obtain, free of charge, a motor vehicle licence from the DVLA.

I obtained mine after queuing up for ages at their Brighton office – which took some finding as it’s tucked away in the new development somewhere behind Brighton Station. It was worth the effort just to have the badge to show to drivers that I legally have as much right to be on the road as they, horses and cyclists have.

Having said this, I would say that I feel it would be a good thing is there was some kind of training available for people using mobility scooters, even if this in the form of some written notes given to people when they purchase a scooter. The only help I was given when I got each of my scooters was in the shop from people who’d never driven one and a note on the scooter to say slow down when approaching a corner. I feel that the people who are making pots of cash from these things – the makers and those who sell them should put dip into their large bank accounts and sponsor this training. After all, it cannot be good for business if there start to be lots of accidents caused by their products.

In the meantime, to all my fellow scooter drivers, whether you drive a small one around the local supermarket or one of the bigger along the roads, drive carefully and enjoy your ability and right to get around.