Getting Started with SmartScoot ™ Travel Scooter

Is It Right For You?

The Risk of Injury

SmartScoot ™ was designed to make everyday mobility easy; however, there are still certain risks that users should be aware of when operating one, such as injury from loss of control, tipping over, collisions or falls. It is your responsibility to learn how to safely ride the SmartScoot™ in order to reduce these risks.

Our website and support materials outline the safety issues and potential hazards of driving the SmartScoot™. Prior to riding the SmartScoot ™, please take the time to read all of them, including the SmartScoot ™ Users Instruction Manual and this Getting Started Manual with accompanying Safety Instructions.

First Things First: Ensure That SmartScoot ™ is a Safe Choice For You.

A mobility scooter is not a toy. It is an electrically powered motor vehicle, and failure to follow safe operating procedures and safety warnings at all times could result in serious personal injury or death in addition to the injury or death of others. Driving a mobility scooter also requires a combination of healthy traits and abilities: good vision, strength, coordination, balance and concentration. If you have these traits and abilities, you are on the right track. However, to safely operate the SmartScoot ™, you must also be able to:

• Read and understand all SmartScoot ™ reference materials, including the SmartScoot ™ Users Instruction Manual, Getting Started Manual and Safety Instructions
• Stand and walk independently or with limited assistance
• Have sufficient hand strength to operate the throttle and brake
• Maintain and shift balance to accommodate inclines, declines and turns
• Steer and control the mobility scooter
• See pedestrians and vehicles
• Judge speeds, distances and slopes
• Recognize hazards and obstacles in your path
• Be patient enough to slow down, stop and wait whenever necessary
• Mount or dismount the mobility scooter without assistance or risk of falling
• Easily get the mobility scooter in and out of its storage place

Safety Instructions

The below instructions and tips will help you to operate the SmartScoot ™ safely and prevent personal injury to yourself and others. Before reading them, please note that SmartScoot ™ is designed to be used by one person at a time and is not recommended for any person younger than 16 years old.

• Read this manual, any other safety and training instructions, and all warning labels before operating the SmartScoot ™.
• Do not carry passengers or exceed the maximum weight capacity.
• Do not mount or dismount the SmartScoot ™ unless it is resting at a complete stop and is turned off.
• Comply with all local laws and regulations while operating the SmartScoot ™.
• Check all folding locks and clamps before use.
• Do not use the SmartScoot ™ in wet conditions.
• Always slow down before changing directions.
• Only drive the SmartScoot ™ on smooth, hard and flat surfaces.
• Always keep your feet on the foot platforms when driving the SmartScoot ™.
• Use common sense when operating the SmartScoot ™. Reckless driving can result in an accident!

Safety Warnings

• Reduce speeds through turns or while changing directions.
• The SmartScoot ™ is designed to go over flat surfaces only. Use extreme caution around curbs, potholes or obstacles in the road. If you cannot maneuver around these hazards, stop the scooter, dismount it and walk the scooter around the hazard. Attempting to go over hazards will cause the unit to tip over.
• The SmartScoot ™ is not designed to go up steep inclines. Attempting to drive up inclines can cause the unit to lose momentum.
• The SmartScoot ™ was designed for flat, paved or carpeted surfaces. Do not drive the unit on grass, gravel, or any other textured or bumpy surfaces.
• Use caution when driving the scooter over wet surfaces. Avoid puddles or potential icy conditions. If rain cannot be avoided, reduce your speed and allow for more stopping distance.

Learning To Drive

Just like learning to drive a car or ride a bicycle, operating any personal transportation machine inherently includes risk and takes practice. Therefore, we recommend using caution as you practice operating the unit in various situations. Keep the speed at a reduced level until you’re comfortable controlling the scooter. The below instructions and practice steps will teach you to maneuver through doorways, on and off lifts, over moderate terrain, and up and down ramps.

Before You Try Driving SmartScoot™

When preparing for your first ride, select an area that is flat, spacious, and away from traffic and other obstacles. Bring a friend along to help you follow the instructions while you practice. Start driving with the lowest speed (Please see the SmartScoot ™ Users Instruction Manual regarding SmartScoot’s ™ three speeds). We also recommend adjusting the rear wheels to the maximum length to allow for greater stability.

Practice Steps

It is recommended that you practice the following steps to help you become comfortable with SmartScoot ™:

• Adjust SmartScoot ™ to fit your body comfortably. Adjustment instructions can be found in the SmartScoot Users Instruction Manual.
• Sit on the SmartScoot ™ placing your hands on the handles and feet on the foot pegs.
• Turn on the SmartScoot ™ by hitting the On/Off Button one time. This will place it in the lowest speed.
• Learn to use the throttle and brake. With your right hand, apply pressure to the hand brake. Releasing the hand brake, slowly turn the handle (throttle) and move the scooter forward five feet. While releasing the throttle, apply the hand brake and come to a complete stop. Repeat this process several times, each time allowing the scooter to venture farther before applying the hand brake to come to a complete stop. Please Note: SmartScoot™ is a front-wheel-drive machine, and as a result, fast starts can cause its front wheel to spin, which can be dangerous for drivers. Slowly turning the handle each time you start will help to avoid or reduce this condition.
• Learn to turn. Slowly turn SmartScoot ™ by using wide movements. Feel how the scooter reacts to your body weight. Shifting your body weight through the turn will help add stability. As you feel more comfortable, you will be able to make the turns tighter. Always remember to slow down before turning or changing directions. Going too fast through a turn will cause the SmartScoot ™ to tip over. If the SmartScoot ™ begins to tip, slow the unit down and place your feet on the ground.
• Learn to reverse. Prior to putting SmartScoot ™ in reverse, turn your head to make sure there are no people or hazards – such as curbs, parked cars or walls – behind you. While applying the brake, turn on the reverse function. You will hear a distinct repetitive warning sound. Turning your head again to ensure that nothing is behind you, release the brake and slowly turn the throttle. Only use the reverse function to move away from an obstacle or back out of an elevator. While in reverse, limit turns or changes in directions.
• Avoid steep inclines and hills. SmartScoot ™ is not designed to be driven up steep inclines or hills. All mobility scooters perform marginally in these situations. However, the SmartScoot ™ should have no problem going up most wheelchair and airplane ramps. Leaning your body forward, which places more weight on the front wheel, will aid the scooter up the ramp.