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News, Quingo Scooters, Tips and Advice, Wellbeing

Should I Go Out on My Mobility Scooter During the Coronavirus Lockdown?

With the need to observe social distancing you may ask

“Should I not be using my mobility scooter at this time?”

The answer is yes, as long as you observe sensible rules.

You scooter may be a vital lifeline and make going out for essential supplies such as food and medicines much safer than other ways you may have to use otherwise like getting a lift. The other way a scooter helps is all our models have baskets, which means you can avoid using a basket which may have been handled by an infected person.

Your scooter is easy to clean so get some disinfectant to wipe it down.

Always take a fully charged mobile phone with you just in case the unexpected happens.

Of course, a scooter that is poorly maintained can put you at risk in numerous ways like any vehicle they require servicing and care. We recommend an annual service by one of our highly trained specialist engineers you can arrange a service by calling our customer service department on 01582 430 900 and they will be delighted to help.

There are of course some day to day checks.

Firstly, take a look around your scooter for any obvious signs of damage. Check your lights & indicators (where fitted). Check to see  if your tyres may need some air.

Next as many of you take advantage of our mobility scooters ability to fold up you should check the steering is moving freely and smoothly and check to make nothing has fallen in to the tiller mechanism.

Check the throttle moves freely and with no obstruction. When driving the scooter if you notice any changes in throttle response please call us.

Our transportable models should have several extra checks.

The take apart portable Air2 should have the contacts between the components checked for excessive wear, while this is highly unlikely they should be checked, and you should make sure they are firmly engaged before use.

The self-loading Flyte requires all of these all of these but, in addition, when the mobility scooter is unloaded check the Docking Station is firmly installed.

Every time you use your mobility scooter leave it on charge overnight, a well-maintained battery will avoid you being left stranded. You can read more about looking after your batteries here.

We still recommend that you take no unnecessary trips but if you do make sure it is on a safe and reliable scooter!

About Quingo Scooters

The Quingo Scooter range features six models to suit your needs and budget. New models are now available from just £22/week on our new contract hire scheme which includes all servicing and maintenance, Insurance, Roadside Recovery, Call Outs and Consumables including Batteries and Tyres. For more information on this or the latest Quingo Scooter range, please visit our website. Alternatively, if you have any Service questions you can always contact us or call customer services on 01582 430 900.

Keep up to date with the latest mobility scooter advice, tips and interesting places to visit on the Quingo Scooter Users Blog. Connect with Quingo and keep up to date with all our latest news on Facebook and Twitter.

All Quingo Personal Mobility Vehicles are provided by Forever Active, the UK’s exclusive distributor. Forever Active is a trading name of Advantage Marketing Corporation Limited (AMC).  AMC Limited is an appointed representative of First Senior Insurance Services Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. First Senior Insurance Services FSA Register number is 30847.

Quingo Scooters

The best accessible UK farmers’ markets

The foodie revolution has truly taken hold here in the UK. And some of the best places to sample the finest in Britain’s local produce are, of course, our farmers’ markets.

They are heaven for those of us who like to try new food and drink, and they are often also an opportunity to meet the producers themselves. The great news is that most of them are also easily accessible for those of us with different mobility needs. So, here is Quingo Scooters pick of the best accessible farmers’ markets in the UK.

1. Alexandra Palace Farmers’ Market, London

We love this one because it is so spacious – you almost feel like you’re making your way through a small village of stalls, rather than being crammed in with narrow gaps between them. Of course, that’s great news for mobility scooter users, as are the flat, level paths of Alexandra Palace park.

And the stalls themselves? Think the cream of the crop from the ‘garden of England’ itself – most of the fresh fruit and veg here has made just a short journey from the fields of nearby Kent. It’s on most Sundays – entry is near the Crouch End entrance of the park.

Quingo Scooters - Accessible UK farmers’ markets - Uplands Market SwanSea

2. Uplands Market, Swansea

We head west next, to what we think is the best farmers’ market in Wales.

Uplands Market in Swansea is also the biggest indoor market in the principality, and is full of delicious local produce.

As well as high quality local fruit and veg, you’ll also find plenty of cheese and meats too – our tip is to try the local fish and seafood from the excellent Cardigan Bay Fish stall: always tasty, and always freshly caught. The market is accessible to all, monthly, and well worth a visit.

3. Orton Farmers’ Market, Cumbria

A farmers’ market that feels true to the whole ethos that drives these events – locally made and often organically grown produce, alongside artisan products made in small quantities.

The village of Orton itself is also lovely, and a tranquil setting for this bustling market. It is completely accessible to all, and has a good range of stalls. Pick up some veg from Cath at Bluebell Organics, or buy some delicious fell-reared lamb from Kitridding Farm’s stall.

If you’re looking for a special gift then there is also some beautiful handmade silver on sale here too. It’s held on the second Saturday of every month.

Quingo Scooters - Accessible UK farmers’ markets - Edinburgh Farmers' Market
Editorial credit: peepy / Shutterstock.com

4. Edinburgh Farmers’ Market

We’re huge fans of Edinburgh anyway, and it is a great city for a few days’ getaway. But if you are heading to the Scottish capital then we recommend you time your visit for the first Saturday of the month so that you can enjoy this great farmers’ market.

This one has been around for a long time – pre-dating the current boom in farmers’ markets – and it’s no wonder it has been such a lasting success. The setting beneath Edinburgh Castle is stunning, for one.

But of course it is the quality of the produce that really stands out. Our personal favourite stall has to be the weird and wonderful Paper and Jam’s Scottish preserves – try their Rowan & Apple Jelly with a slice of your favourite cheese!

5. Stroud Fresh-n-Local Market, Gloucestershire

If you love cheese, you’ll love this farmers’ market in Stroud. Every Saturday you will find some of the very best local cheeses you’ve ever tasted – from the fresh and lemony ‘Jersey Curd’ to a slice of Gould’s cheddar.

But it’s not all about the cheese here – there’s also delicious fresh bread from the Salt Bakehouse, as well as some of the best honey we’ve ever tasted from The Painswick Beekeeper.

If you’re more into your arts and crafts then there are also plenty of beautiful pieces to browse by local makers. It’s also very accessible, with well-spaced out stalls and a level surface. Stroud itself is lovely too – a quiet, relaxed corner of the Cotswolds which is well worth exploring.

About Quingo Scooters

The Quingo Scooter range features six models to suit your needs and budget. New models are now available from just £22/week on our new contract hire scheme which includes all servicing and maintenance, Insurance, Roadside Recovery, Call Outs and Consumables including Batteries and Tyres. For more information on this or the latest Quingo Scooter range, please visit our website. Alternatively, if you have any Service questions you can always contact us or call customer services on 01582 430 900.

Keep up to date with the latest mobility scooter advice, tips and interesting places to visit on the Quingo Scooter Users Blog. Connect with Quingo and keep up to date with all our latest news on Facebook and Twitter.

All Quingo Personal Mobility Vehicles are provided by Forever Active, the UK’s exclusive distributor. Forever Active is a trading name of Advantage Marketing Corporation Limited (AMC).  AMC Limited is an appointed representative of First Senior Insurance Services Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. First Senior Insurance Services FSA Register number is 30847

Holidays, Quingo Scooters

Best accessible UK bookshops

If you’re a keen reader, then seeking out new bookshops is surely one of the great pleasures in your life. For many of us, discovering a hidden gem in a new town or city can be a getaway highlight.

But away from the big chains like Waterstones (which are generally modern and accessible, with lifts and wider entrances), what are the options? How accessible are many of the smaller, independent stores?

Well, to help you out, here is Quingo Scooters’ guide to the five best accessible UK bookshops. Happy book hunting!

  1. The Watermill Bookshop, Aberfeldy, Scotland

This is a fantastic place that has been voted the UK’s best independent bookshop in the past and we think that title is very well deserved. Situated within a former oatmeal mill, both the bookshop itself and the excellent cafe are accessible to all.

They also hold regular events here too, with everything from book signings to talks from authors. There is an excellent range of books and staff who are always happy to help. And the homemade cakes in the cafe are just delicious!

Quingo Scooters - accessible UK bookshops 2
Editorial credit: DrimaFilm / Shutterstock.com
  • Foyles Bookshop, 107 Charing Cross Road, London

We’re going to cheat a little with this one, as of course Foyles is a famous chain. But we wanted to include it as we are big fans of their new home on Charing Cross Road in London. Of course, this is a location that is synonymous with the book trade (immortalised forever in the film 84 Charing Cross Road) and the whole area is absolutely packed with bookshops.

But Foyles have been on this street since 1906, and they are rightly proud of their flagship store at number 107. It’s light and spacious, and most importantly fully accessible with lifts to all floors. A bibliophile’s heaven.

Quingo Scooters - accessible UK bookshops 3
Editorial credit: TMA Harding / Shutterstock.com
  • Barter Books, Alnwick, Northumberland

Barter Books is something completely different. Situated in the lovely town of Alnwick in Northumberland, this independent bookshop is generally accessible to those of us with different mobility needs. It even has its own parking outside (including two Blue Badge spaces).

Once you’re inside you won’t want to leave. It’s situated in the town’s old Victorian railway station and is one of the most charming bookshops we’ve ever visited. They have an excellent selection of books (including some antiquarian rarities), but it is the building itself that’s the real star. It has a lovely cafe, open fires and even a 40ft mural!

  • The Ennis Bookshop, Ennis, County Clare

Ennis is the main town in County Clare, Ireland, and it is a picturesque, historic place to spend a few days. We recommend visiting the beautiful Franciscan Friary while you’re there – but we’re also big fans of The Ennis Bookshop.

It has everything a local independent bookshop should have. Lots of great titles, of course – but also a welcoming and knowledgeable team who really know their books. And best of all, it’s fully accessible to all.

There isn’t a great deal of information on their website, but give the team a call on +353 65 682 900 if you want to plan your visit ahead.

  • High Peak Bookstore and Café, Ashbourne Road, Buxton

Buxton in Derbyshire is a great town and a wonderful place to base yourself if you’re wanting to explore the surrounding Peak District. But one of the highlights for us has to be the High Peak Bookstore and Café – a real jewel in Buxton’s crown.

It has its own handy car park close by, and a huge range of fiction and non-fiction. It’s a welcoming place, with friendly staff, an excellent cafe and even some strategically placed bird feeders to watch while you sip your coffee.

About Quingo Scooters

The Quingo Scooter range features six models to suit your needs and budget. New models are now available from just £22/week on our new contract hire scheme which includes all servicing and maintenance, Insurance, Roadside Recovery, Call Outs and Consumables including Batteries and Tyres. For more information on this or the latest Quingo Scooter range, please visit our website. Alternatively, if you have any Service questions you can always contact us or call customer services on 01582 430 900.

Keep up to date with the latest mobility scooter advice, tips and interesting places to visit on the Quingo Scooter Users Blog. Connect with Quingo and keep up to date with all our latest news on Facebook and Twitter.

All Quingo Personal Mobility Vehicles are provided by Forever Active, the UK’s exclusive distributor. Forever Active is a trading name of Advantage Marketing Corporation Limited (AMC).  AMC Limited is an appointed representative of First Senior Insurance Services Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. First Senior Insurance Services FSA Register number is 30847.

Holidays, Quingo Scooters

Accessible getaways abroad: Accessible San Francisco, USA

San Francisco is one of the most famous cities on the planet and an incredibly popular destination for travellers. It is also one of our favourite cities – the perfect blend of American, European and Asian cultures. Great shopping and plenty of cultural highlights makes this a must-visit for any trip to the USA.


Of course, San Francisco is also famous for its hills, which can present a challenge for those of us with different mobility needs. But there are a huge amount of accessible activities you can enjoy on your next visit. So, with that in mind, here we’ve picked out some of our favourite accessible places to visit across the city.

Soak up the sights and sounds of Chinatown

There is nowhere else outside of Asia with a Chinatown as old as San Francisco’s. This fascinating area has grown over the years as immigrants came to the city in search of work. In the early days, many workers came during the Gold Rush, as well as to work in construction and on the railroads.


Today it is a vibrant and exciting place to explore, and is of course home to the famous Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. They make over 10,000 a day here, and it’s the last place in the US where they’re still made by hand. Give the team there a call on (415) 781 3956 before you visit to discuss any particular requirements.

If you’re in need of refreshment, we also recommend you savour a cup of tea at the wonderful Vital Tea Leaf. It’s fully accessible and their Wuyi rock tea from Fujian is just incredible.

Quingo Scooters Accessible San Francisco China Town
Editorial credit: Andrey Bayda / Shutterstock.com

Explore Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate is an absolute dream of a park. It’s over a 1,000 acres and is packed full of things to do. If you’re looking for a bit of culture, then we recommend that you head to the de Young Museum of Fine Arts. It’s fully accessible for those of us who use a mobility scooter. And it is home to a remarkable collection of artistic treasures – from 20th century photography to the art of the indigenous peoples of South America.

But the Golden Gate park is also an area of great natural beauty too. There are hundreds of trails to explore (many of are accessible and will give you fantastic views of the bridge itself). If you want to head out into the wilds, we recommend you download the National Park Service’s Golden Gate app, or head to the NPS’s accessibility page here.

Take in some modern art

The de Young isn’t even the most famous art gallery in San Francisco – that title has to go to SF MoMA, the sister of New York’s Museum of Modern Art. With over 30,000 individual works of art here there is more than enough to keep you busy, and it is well worth setting aside a day to explore the museum.


As you would expect from a museum with SF MOMA’s international reputation, it is completely accessible to all, with ramped access at the main entrances. There is also an endlessly cycling series of new exhibitions to see.

The highlight for us however was one of the permanent installations – the artist JR’s digital mural The Chronicles of San Francisco. An unmissable tribute to the people of this remarkable city.

Quingo Scooters Accessible San Francisco

Browse the fresh produce at the Ferry Building

Whenever you go to a new city, our advice is to head for the market. In our experience it is the best way to get a flavour of the real culture of the place. You’ll see ordinary people, out and about doing their thing – and of course you’ll also get the chance to pick up some great local delicacies too.

San Francisco is no different. The Ferry Building Marketplace is the city’s favourite farmers’ market and is packed to the rafters with delicious local produce.

The market is accessible, and the best days to visit are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays when farmers descend on the market to sell their wares. It’s a great place to browse, and even do a little tasting on the go. Our favourite shop? The Biscuit Bender – try their wild mushroom buttermilk biscuits and never look at biscuits in quite the same way again!

Did you know?

The Golden Gate Bridge isn’t golden – it’s a colour called ‘International Orange’.

Getting to San Francisco

From the UK, there are regular non-stop flights from the London airports, and non-direct ones from Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow. It’s a long-haul of course, so make sure that you inform your airline of any particular mobility needs you have when you book.

Once you get to San Francisco itself, the airport is largely barrier-free with ramped access throughout. The team there recommend that you contact a representative of your airline when you arrive, or call 1-6207 from the specially-marked phones.

Getting into the city is also straightforward – the Bay Area Rapid Transport system is a quick, easy and accessible option to get to Downtown. You’ll need to take the AirTran from San Francisco airport to connect with BART, but it’s a journey of only a few minutes.

Holidays, Quingo Scooters

The best accessible Los Angeles restaurants

Los Angeles can feel like a city of endless opportunity. But that incredible scale can sometimes mean that it’s not always easy to find what you’re looking for. Just ask any aspiring Hollywood star.

But whatever brings you to L.A., the one thing that you will want to seek out is some of the great food on offer. The city’s restaurants reflect the remarkable mix of cultures that you find here. And the sheer size of the place means that the choice of places to eat out is vast.

Every building is now obliged by law to make itself accessible to everyone, and so ramps and wider, more accessible entrances are a relatively common sight in Los Angeles. But we’ve certainly found that some places are a lot better than others. So, with that in mind, here is Quingo Scooters’ guide to the very best accessible restaurants in Los Angeles.

République

For a nicely Californian twist on traditional French food, look no further than République. Bright and airy with plenty of accessible tables, we love this place. The food, of course, is fantastic. Chef Walter Manzke describes it as ‘technique-driven French California cuisine’, but if that sounds a little clinical, then don’t worry.

This is delicious classic French food that is simply prepared with breathtaking precision, served in an equally classy environment. The building itself dates from the 20s and was built originally as an investment for Charlie Chaplin. Yes, that Charlie Chaplin: this is L.A., after all.

Best Girl

Best Girl describes itself as a neighbourhood bistro, but it feels like something far more ambitious than that. There’s the top class chef, Chef Michael Cimarusti, for a start, who has brought his attention to detail and high standards to this corner of Downtown Los Angeles.

There’s a big focus on seasonal food here and they keep the menu changing through the year, so it’s the kind of place that never feels tired. It’s one of those places that feels infused with Los Angeles’ culture and history, and it’s also very accessible. There’s an accessible entrance and a lift up to the mezzanine. Highly recommended.

Quingo Scooters Accessible Los Angeles restaurants
Editorial credit: travelview / Shutterstock.com

Langers

Sometimes, you’ll find yourself out and about and just in need of something to keep you going. This is where a place like Langers really comes into its own. This delicatessen and restaurant has been going since the late ’40s and is a true L.A. institution.

No less than The New Yorker magazine itself claimed that Langers served ‘the best hot pastrami sandwich in the world’! It’s quite a claim, and one that we’re sure that a few other US deli’s (not least in New York!) might want to contest. But the fact is that Langers is legendary, its pastrami is mind-blowing, and this is a must-visit on your next trip to Los Angeles. It’s also fully accessible.

The Original Pantry Cafe

While we’re at it, we have to also recommend the Original Pantry Cafe. It’s another Los Angeles icon, and one that’s been around since 1924. This is the place to go for a classic diner experience – we’re talking big servings of traditional American dishes, served just the way they always have been for the last 95 years.

This is a special place – recently named a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument – and it’s well worth a visit. Don’t expect haute cuisine, but it’s accessible to all, and you’re always guaranteed a warm welcome. Incredibly, it’s also open seven days a week, 24-hours a day!

Quingo Scooters Accessible Los Angeles restaurants breakfast
Editorial credit: David Tonelson / Shutterstock.com

Bestia

From a couple of old-timers to a relative newcomer now – Bestia is one of the most talked about restaurants in the city and well worth checking out if you can. This is great Italian food, with an emphasis on quality ingredients and a hand-on approach. Despite its urban surroundings, Bestia’s food has a rustic feel and you can feel the love that the owners Menashe and Gergish have for their creations.

This is a modern building with good access but be warned that this is also a place with a great reputation – so it’s sure to be busy.

A quick final word about driving in Los Angeles. If you are heading to any of these restaurants for a meal, then parking can be tricky, especially in Downtown. However, over 200 of the city’s buses and trains are accessible, and for more information it’s worth checking out the dedicated accessibility page here.

Another option is hiring a cab or a service like Lyft Assist, which makes it easy to book a ride in an accessible car to your destination. Find out more here.

Travelling with scooters

The great news for those of you travelling abroad is that Quingo Scooters are all approved for air travel by IATA so you won’t have any problems taking them on the plane. That said, it is always well worth getting in touch directly with any train, bus and airlines you want to use just to double check their rules on scooters before you go. For more handy tips on travelling with your scooter by air, take a look at our page here.

Share your accessible getaways abroad with us

Do you have any accessible getaways abroad recommendations? In Europe or perhaps further afield? If you do, we’d love to hear from you, so drop us a line and we’ll feature them.

About Quingo Scooters

The Quingo Scooter range features six models to suit your needs and budget. New models are now available from just £22/week on our new contract hire scheme which includes all servicing and maintenance, Insurance, Roadside Recovery, Call Outs and Consumables including Batteries and Tyres. For more information on this or the latest Quingo Scooter range, please visit our website. Alternatively, if you have any Service questions you can always contact us or call customer services on 01582 430 900.

Keep up to date with the latest mobility scooter advice, tips and interesting places to visit on the Quingo Scooter Users Blog. Connect with Quingo and keep up to date with all our latest news on Facebook and Twitter.

All Quingo Personal Mobility Vehicles are provided by Forever Active, the UK’s exclusive distributor. Forever Active is a trading name of Advantage Marketing Corporation Limited (AMC).  AMC Limited is an appointed representative of First Senior Insurance Services Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. First Senior Insurance Services FSA Register number is 30847