My Escape Travelscoot, I love the minimalist design
Escape Travelscoot – Minimalist
I bought my Escape Travelscoot in July 2024. The new model is narrower than the Deluxe model to conform with cruise boat regulations. I really enjoy riding the Travelscoot, I call mine The Trike. It ticks so many boxes that are important to me especially independence. I love the minimalist design and it is so practical for me. It is ideal for small supermarket-shopping trips and riding around towns and cities.
The Travelscoot is fun to ride
I first found out about the Travelscoot through the internet and bought my first one in 2010. Over the last 15 years the basic design has not changed but it has become much more reliable, lighter in weight and easier to fold up. It is not easy to think of any improvements to the simplicity in the design however there are aspects that can be tweaked with the Escape
My Escape Travelscoot
Deluxe Travelscoot
I updated my model of the Travelscoot from Deluxe to an Escape in July 2024. I suffer from multiple sclerosis and I cannot walk or stand unaided so I have significant balance problems. Chronic foot drop and leg drop so I am unable to lift my left leg off the ground and my right leg is starting to go that way as well. It was becoming difficult to get on and off the Deluxe because the A-frame rises from the rear wheels to the front. The big advantage of the Escape is that the A-frame is level between the rear and front wheels.
One big advantage
Folding up the Escape is much easier and simpler than the Deluxe. Just press a button and fold the steering column back until it is flat. It is easy to remove the seat and yoke from the frame and put it all into the boot of a car.
Escape seat 10 cm narrower
The new design means that the scooter and the seat are narrower. The centre of gravity is quite high and if your sense of balance is impaired, for example by multiple sclerosis then there is a definite sense of instability especially going round corners or if the surface is bumpy or not flat. I swapped the seat that was sold with it, flat and quite narrow, only 46 cm wide, for the Deluxe seat which is 10 cm wider and moulded to provide some support. 4 inches or 10 centimetres might not sound much but the extra width makes a colossal difference in providing a greater feeling of safety and security. Travelscoot are charging £80 for the wider Deluxe seat. They should allow the buyer the option to buy one seat or the other.
I am a frequent faller
A visual horizon is essential for me to stay on my feet. When I bend over I lose my horizon and inevitably fall over. Changing the position of my Escape battery so that the socket for the charger is at the top was essential. Now not so far to bend over. When I remove the charger plug from the battery there is nothing to keep the battery in place, a potential problem. Also why is it so difficult to unplug the battery cable from the Escape. My weak grip because of age and MS means I can never remove the battery.
The bell supplied with the scooter is pathetic. It makes a feeble sound and the button to be pressed to make the pathetic sound is facing the wrong way, towards the centre. It would be great if the red canvas carrier in the A-frame could be deeper.
These irritations are minor
I am sure these issues are quite easy to fix and surely other people have these problems. The Travelscoot is popular amongst people who have MS. There must be plenty of other people who own an Escape and want these little problems fixed.
Is it unique?
Is there another scooter for people with a mobility problem which is as nifty and fun as the Travelscoot, I absolutely love the minimalist design, so many people stop me to admire it. Every time I go out on it there is always a sense of adventure and fun for me which is missing on other disability scooters.
1st Feb 2025
Associated Articles
I will always love my Travelscoot mobility scooter
Reasons why I enjoy my Travelscoot
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