Mobility scooter use for community access: An exploration of individual and environmental factors on use and safety

Mobility limitation that often accompany population aging results in an increase in the use of mobility scooters, which comes with benefits and safety risks. The Human Activity Assistive Technology model served as a guiding framework to explore the interrelationship between individual, assistive technology (scooter) and environmental factors. Fifteen scooter users from four Metro Vancouver municipalities participated in a mixed-methods study that focused on scooter use and safety, and environmental factors. Through interviews and observations, data were collected on the perception of scooter in the pedestrian-vehicle continuum, knowledge of the rules of road, and perception of barriers and facilitators within the physical and social environment. Most scooter users saw themselves as pedestrians but had limited knowledge regarding scooter/pedestrian rules. Environment factors that created barriers and safety concerns included design of street infrastructure as well as, social behaviour of pedestrians. These findings can inform education, training and policy development around scooter use.