health information
Do motorized wheelchairs come with a maximum and minimum speed?
Question : Do motorized wheelchairs come with a maximum and minimum speed?
I was brisk-walking this evening to catch a movie when a gentleman in a motorized wheelchair sped by me really fast. I would guess the wheelchair had to be going somewhere between 5-10 MPH or maybe more. (I’m a fast walker and this was easily 3-5x my speed).
Made me wonder if there are max and min speeds for motorized wheelchairs?
motorized wheelchairs
Best answer:
Answer by Handyman
Yes they do ,but each brand name may run somewhat different, depending on the type of wheelchair it is. I’ve seen them going down the road with there little flag just waving away.
It does depend on the model and brand and level of disability of the person using the chair . I am a private duty nurses aide . I have a client that has an electric motorized wheelchair . The chair has FIVE speeds from which my client may choose . The speeds on THIS chair range from 1 mph to about 5 mph . There are many brands of chairs in various qualities and speeds ,not unlike cars – except that most are customized from the BASIC FRAME up , better ones are custom fitted with computerized measurements to make sure someone that spends most if not all of their time in the chair do not developed skin irritations , and ulcers as well as spinal deformities (SCOLIOSIS) through the use of gel-cushions and various types of bolsters . THESE ARE NON -GENERIC WHEELCHAIRS AND MAY REQUIRE A PRESCRIPTION. They range in price from about $ 5000.00 up to as much as $ 30,000.00+ plus. There are also generic units(SCOOTER IS ONE POPULAR BRAND) that are for folks that can walk , but not for long distances (similar to the ones you see in the supermarkets ) they are designed for getting FROM POINT A TO POINT B in a reasonable amount of time and may have speeds of 10 or so miles per hour which is the average brisk walking speed , hope that helps explain a little (very little for there is much more) about these fascinating devices that have helped given many disabled folks a new lease on life .