Can the mobility scooter tip over?

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Unfortunately the answer is yes, any scooter can be tipped over given the right circumstances. The smaller the scooter, the greater the chances of tipping the machine. The larger the scooter, the more stability available.

It is not common for a scooter to tip over and it is usually always down to the fault of the rider, the most common reasons are:

• Travelling too fast around corners - slow down you don't know what is around the corner.
• Approaching kerbs at an acute angle - where possible use dropped kerbs and ALWAYS approach them at a right angle. DO NOT go up or down kerbs that are higher than recommended for the type and size of your wheels. (Your manufacturers handbook will tell you what this is.)
• Hanging shopping off the handlebars - This can make your scooter unstable and will make it more difficult to control. Use a shopping bag on the rear of the seat and utilise the basket at the front.
• Exceeding the manufacturers weight limit - Buy a scooter that is in keeping with your size, make an allowance for the shopping that you may be carrying. NEVER carry another person on the scooter (child or adult.)

If the rider has an inner ear problem, for instance, which may affect their balance, better to avoid small, folding scooters and choose something with a bigger ‘footprint’ which will give far greater stability.

Please refer to Kerbs sections in Rider Advice.

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