The Trouble with Mobility Scooters

A fatal accident in South Korea in August 2010 with a mobility scooter user was the first known mobility scooter fatality involving lifts. Products already exist which are said to be designed to withstand the forces exerted by mobility scooters. This paper examines the possible forces involved using actual measurements and video evidence, and compares the likely forces with the requirements for the strength of landing doors contained in EN81-2050 and 71. The conclusions of the paper include implications for designers, specifiers and owners of lifts.