Ramps for mobility scooters – Choosing the right mobility scooter ramp
Using ramps for mobility scooters can make certain obstacles in day to day life easier to navigate. They can be helpful in small situations, such as getting up a curb, as well as larger challenges, such as getting your scooter into the back of a vehicle.
In this article we are going to be looking at the different types of ramps for mobility scooters and what they can be used for.
Curb mobility scooter ramps
These are small ramps that can help you get up curbs by creating a small slope from the lower ground to the top of the pavement.
Generally, these types of ramp are solid and made of rubber, or heavy duty plastic. They are also quite small, which means they are portable and can be used in a variety of places. Most also come with existing screw holes in the bottom, so they can easily be fixed in place.
Another common use for this type of mobility scooter ramp is as a threshold ramp. In this case you can fix it outside your door and remove the obstacle of a step.
Click here to view our top choice for a curb ramp on Amazon and read reviews
Bridge threshold ramps
A bridge threshold ramp is another solution for doorway thresholds. It differs from a curb ramp, since it creates a slope on either side of the doorway by bridging the gap. This is useful if there is a step on either side, as it creates a smooth transition through the doorway on both sides.
These ramps are usually light weight and can be added and removed to a door opening quickly. They are not usually fixed in place and due to the design, they rarely can be used as a permanent feature, in a main doorway, like the entrance to your house. This is because they will obstruct your door from closing. If you are looking for a permanent feature, then one or two curb ramps might be a better solution. With that said, there are many situations when a lightweight bridge threshold ramp can come in very handy.
Click here for a link to the Ruedamann 15.5″ bridge threeshold ramp, our top choice with 600lbs capacity.
Folding ramps for mobility scooters
Folding mobility scooter ramps are usually made from lightweight materials such as fibreglass or aluminum. They come in a variety of sizes, which means they can be used in several different situations. Folding ramps start as small as 39in and like the first two ramps, they can be very convenient for small obstacles, like thresholds and steps.
As the ramps get bigger, you can use them for larger obstacles, such as a larger number of steps. They are also a great solution for getting your scooter into the back of a vehicle when traveling.
Another useful feature that can be found in many folding mobility scooter ramps is a “suitcase design”. This is where the ramp can be folded down into a convenient carry size and is equipped with a handle. The handle allows the user to carry the ramp like a suitcase once folded.
Click here to view folding ramps on Amazon and read reviews
Channel ramps for mobility scooters
Channel ramps are another convenient type of ramp. Again, they are lightweight and easy to transport and store. They are mostly used for creating a smooth transition into the back of a vehicle. However, they do come in a variety of sizes and can be used for several different situations.
Channel ramps consist of two narrow ramps, one for each side of your mobility scooter. The ramps are non-slip and come with raised lips on either side, this is to stop wheels from slipping or veering off the edge.
Channel ramps are also very convenient to store. Usually they take up less space than a standard folding ramp. They often fold down in a very similar way to a standard folding ramp. However, you can also get telescopic ramps that are even more space saving. Telescopic channel ramps consist of extending rails which are fixed in place with spring loaded buttons. This makes them extremely solid when extended and very easy to fold down.
Most telescopic ramps will come with a convenient carry bag to make transportation easier. Others may employ a suitcase design that we commonly see in the larger one piece folding mobility ramps.
Click here to view folding ramps on Amazon and read reviews
Conclusion: Which ramp for a mobility scooter is right for you?
As you can see, there are a variety of mobility scooter ramps available on the market. Due to a large range of sizes and designs, there is a ramp for most day to day situations. Some of these can be fixed in place as a permanent solution. Others are more flexible and can be taken with you to adapt different situations and make them more accessible.
We hope you found this article on ramps for mobility scooters useful. If you have any questions for us here at folding mobility, please leave us a comment below and we will do our best to help.
