I can walk, but due to spinal surgeries twenty years ago, my distance is severely limited. Recently my wife encouraged me to use a scooter, and after a reluctant start, I now love the expanded possibilities it offers me. However I have been unable to find reliable data on where I can and cannot travel with a scooter. Can you give me that information?

I’m glad that your wife talked you in to trying a scooter, as they really do increase independence.

Scooters are basically treated like power wheelchairs as far as the law is concerned, and they are allowed any place that other mobility devices are allowed (that’s not always true for Segways). They are not considered motorized vehicles, so you can take them on trails in state and national parks.

You can also take a scooter on a cruise, and you can even rent one and have it delivered to your cabin. Just ask the cruise line for their list of approved scooter rental vendors. You do have to reserve an accessible cabin in order to do this, as most standard cabin doorways are not wide enough to accommodate a scooter, and they are not allowed to be left in the hallway. That said, scooters are sometimes not allowed on tenders, so you need to check with the cruise line about this before you book a cruise.

One thing to be aware of is that there are weight and measurement limitations on most lifts (for trains and buses) for scooters. For example the shuttle buses in Yosemite National Park can accommodate mobility devices to 24 inches wide and 46 inches long, with a top weight limit (scooter and person) of 750 pounds. I would say that limitation is pretty common, but of course you should check in advance about any lift limitations, especially if you use a bariatric scooter.

You can also fly with a scooter. It will be stowed in the luggage compartment, and there is no extra baggage charge for this.

In the end, there are really very few limitations on scooters, and I’m sure you will find that traveling with one will allow you to see and experience many more things.