If you regularly use routes which involve frequent kerb climbing, these routes should be tried out before you decide on a powered wheelchair.

Although kerb climbing can be carried out safely, it has to be said that it can be quite nerve-racking until you have gained your confidence. It can also feel rather jolting and uncomfortable. If you do not have good upper body support you may find this jolting too much.

If dropped kerbs can be found (even if it means taking a slightly longer route) this might be preferable.

Some kerbs are higher than 10-13cm and therefore kerb climbers are useless and you will need to find a dropped kerb anyway.

It may be worth buying a wheelchair without kerb climbers and seeing whether they are essential. They can often be bought at a later date. The manufacturers claim that kerbs of 10-13cm can be climbed, but it must be remembered that this is under ideal circumstances.

To help climb kerbs, you should consider:

• battery charge level: if the power is low, high kerbs will be more difficult



• your position: you need to be able to move your body weight to different parts of the vehicle to increase the traction of the motor, e.g. lean forward over the front wheels when going up a kerb



• state of kerb and pavement: if the kerb is uneven or the pavement behind it cracked or slippery with sand, gravel or leaves, then kerb climbing will be more difficult



• size of the front wheels: a general rule of thumb is that a powered wheelchair should be able to climb kerbs of a height equivalent to one third of the diameter of the front wheel



• footrests: kerb climbing will not be possible if the footrests on powered wheelchairs are too low, i.e. they have been lowered to accommodate long legs. This problem can be overcome either by using a thicker/higher cushion and raising the armrests and backrests or by using elevating legrests



• anti-tip devices/stabilising wheels: many wheelchairs and scooters are fitted with these devices to ensure that the vehicle will not tip backwards or sideways when climbing a high kerb or going down a steep kerb. If you use a three-wheeled scooter, you should, if possible, be able to put your feet down to steady the scooter if the need arises, or shift your body weight to regain balance.

Although many scooters and buggies go down a kerb forwards, most wheelchairs go down backwards.

The general rule is that the larger wheel goes down first, which for the majority of wheelchairs is the rear wheel. Models with large front wheels go down forwards.

If you experience neck problems, you may find backwards kerb climbing a problem as turning the head to see the traffic both ways may be difficult or painful.

Range and gradient can be affected by:

• condition of batteries: older, well used batteries will not store as much power



• your weight: the heavier the person the more power will be used



• terrain to be covered: lots of steep hills and kerbs to climb will use more power



• accessories: lights etc will use up additional power



• weather: batteries do not perform as well in the cold.

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