A knee scooter offers improved mobility and comfort for users who must remain non-weight bearing, allowing for greater distance travel than crutches. Crutches remain necessary for navigating stairs, bathing, or maneuvering in small, confined spaces like a restroom, creating a frequent need to transport both devices simultaneously. Since the scooter requires both hands for steering and braking, carrying crutches securely presents a practical storage problem. The solution requires a system to affix the crutches safely to the scooter without compromising control or balance.
Dedicated Crutch Holders and Attachments
The most reliable solution involves purpose-built accessories designed to integrate with the scooter’s frame. Many manufacturers offer dedicated crutch holders that utilize an accessory hitch, often a square receiver tube located at the rear of the chassis. These tube-style holders typically feature a specific diameter, such as three inches, to accommodate the crutch shafts, holding them upright and out of the way of the user’s movement and the wheels.
Some commercial solutions use long, water-resistant fabric bags equipped with a harness or webbing system. These bags strap securely over the back of the knee scooter’s seat or the vertical steering column. Internal hook-and-loop straps secure the crutch shafts within the bag, ensuring they do not jostle or slide out during movement. This design is effective for both standard underarm and forearm crutches, offering a contained, stable, and easily accessible storage location.
Universal clamp-on holders represent another category of dedicated attachments, featuring adjustable mechanisms that grip the scooter’s handlebar post. These clamps utilize a quick-release or locking lever to secure the crutches firmly, offering flexibility if the scooter lacks a rear accessory hitch. Investing in a dedicated holder provides a long-term, stable fix, minimizing the risk of the crutches falling or interfering with operation.
Practical DIY Transport Methods
For an immediate or low-cost solution, users can employ common household items to create an improvised transport system. One simple method involves using heavy-duty bungee cords or strong Velcro straps to secure the crutches directly to the vertical steering column. The crutches should be placed parallel to the steering column, and the straps secured tightly near the handlebars and again lower down near the knee rest.
A large, deep wire basket, often sold as a front accessory, can also be adapted for crutch storage. The crutch tips are placed inside the basket, and the tops of the crutches are then secured to the handlebar post with a strap or cord to prevent them from bouncing out. This technique works best with folding crutches, as their shorter collapsed length is less likely to protrude.
A less stable, temporary fix involves carefully laying the crutches across the handlebars or the knee rest while propelling the scooter slowly. If this method is used, the crutches must be oriented so the hand grips face away from the body. The tips must be secured to prevent them from dragging on the ground or catching on obstacles. This approach should be reserved for short, straight distances, as it compromises the scooter’s balance and the ability to steer or brake quickly.
Safety and Maneuvering Techniques
Securing the crutches is only the first step; proper maneuvering is necessary to maintain stability and safety. The primary concern is ensuring that the added weight and length of the crutches do not negatively affect the scooter’s center of gravity. Storing the crutches as centrally and low as possible helps prevent the scooter from becoming top-heavy, which could cause a tip when making sharp turns or stopping suddenly.
It is crucial to confirm that the stored crutches do not obstruct the steering radius or interfere with the handbrake cables. Before moving, the user should perform a full-range turn of the handlebars to verify clearance, especially when using a steering column attachment. The crutch tips must be pointed upwards and securely fixed to prevent them from dragging on the ground, which can cause sudden stops, or from catching on floor transitions or doorways.
Navigating tight spaces, such as doorways or narrow aisles, requires extra caution because the crutches widen the scooter’s profile. When approaching a doorway, the user should slow down and ensure the crutch tips clear the frame before proceeding. In crowded environments, a slower speed and wider turning arc should be employed to account for the increased dimensions of the scooter and its cargo.