Mobility Scooter operating and safety instructions

These operating and safety instructions will give you an overview of the essentials you need to know before you take your first ride on the Mobility Scooter.

The Cheetah Ninja Mobility Scooter is one of the devices in Massachusetts DCR’s power-driven mobility devices program. These operating and safety instructions will give you an overview of the essentials you need to know before you take the Mobility Scooter out on the trails. You will need to review these instructions to get a reservation code that will allow you to make a reservation to use the Mobility Scooter.

The Cheetah Ninja Mobility Scooter.

Weight limit

The weight limit for both riders and any gear carried in the baskets is 500 pounds.

The weight limit for each basket is 10 pounds.

Transfer and adjustments

Remove the key from the switch before you get on or off the scooter. This will make sure the scooter can't drive during the transfer process.

Stand or sit as close as possible to the scooter, to one side of to the seat. Rotate the seat so you can get in without stepping on the floorboard, and flip the armrests up. 

The seat on the scooter can rotate.

To rotate the seat, pull back on the seat lock lever located under the seat on the right-hand side. Keep the lever pulled back as you turn the seat. Let go of the lever to stop the seat from turning.

Push the handle to rotate the scooter seat.

If you want to turn the seat all the way to the side, you'll first need to take off the baskets on the back of the scooter. To take off the baskets, pull out the pin on the bolt at the base of the basket and slide the bolt out. The basket assembly will lift off. Now the seat will rotate fully to make it easier to transfer. 

Pull the pin and slide out the bolt to remove the rear basket from the scooter.

Do not use the armrests or the steering handles to support your weight while transferring into the scooter. These components haven't been designed to support your weight, and they could break or cause the scooter to top over. You can use a transfer board or your companion for support if needed.

Do not stand on the floorboard while getting onto or off of the scooter. The floorboard may bend, or the scooter may tip over. The floorboard is only designed to rest your feet on while you are driving.

You can borrow our transfer board to help you get onto the scooter if you are transferring from your own mobility device. DCR staff cannot assist with transfers, maneuvering, or chair adjustments. We also have straps, cushions, and foam wedges you can use to get comfortable in the Mobility Scooter. You are also welcome to bring personal comfort items, including blankets to keep you warm, additional cushions to sit on or to go behind your back, and additional straps for securing your feet, arms, or upper body. If you need trunk or head support, we recommend using the Trackchair instead of the Mobility Scooter. The Trackchair has a four-point harness, a smaller seat, and an adjustable footrest, headrest, and armrests.

Once you are in the seat, sit as far back as possible in the seat to prevent the scooter from tipping, and fasten the seatbelt. If you rotated the seat to get in, lift up on the lever again and rotate the seat until you are facing forward. Make sure that the seat is facing fully forward and locked in position. Lower the armrests, and make certain that your feet are resting safely on the floorboard.

Getting off the Mobility Scooter

Before getting off the scooter, please make sure the scooter is at a complete stop. Remove the key from the key switch. Then, unbuckle your seatbelt. If you need to rotate the seat, push forward on the seat lock lever and rotate the seat until you are facing toward the side of the scooter. You can leave the seat facing to the side to make it easier to get back on next time. 

Safety

• NEVER use the scooter on stairs or to go over a curb.
• The clearance under the scooter is 5 inches. Be mindful of obstacles, and do not drive over objects that are higher than 5 inches.
• Your scooter's ability to travel up inclines is affected by your weight, the scooter's speed, your angle of approach to the incline, and your seat adjustment.
• Do not navigate the scooter on more than an 8 degree (14%) slope.
• Only navigate inclines going forward, never in reverse.
• When climbing up an incline, try to keep the scooter moving. If you must stop, start up again slowly, and then accelerate cautiously.
• Climb inclines straight on, not at an angle.
• When driving down an decline, go as slowly as possible. If your scooter starts to move down the decline faster than you expect or are comfortable with, release the throttle control and let the scooter come to a complete stop. Then, push the throttle control lever forward slightly to ensure a safely controlled descent.
• Drive slowly while turning. The scooter can tip over if taking corners too quickly. If you feel that you might tip over, reduce your speed and lessen the sharpness of the turn. Factors that affect the possibility of tipping include:
  • speed
  • steering angle (how sharply you are turning)
  • uneven surfaces
  • inclines
  • riding from an area of low traction to an area of high traction (such as moving from grass to pavement)
  • abrupt changes in direction

Operation

The ignition key is behind and under the seat on the left-hand side. The speed regulator dial is set by DCR staff, and you are not allowed to adjust it. 

The ignition key and speed regulator dial behind the seat of the scooter.

The maximum speed you are allowed to drive is 5 miles per hour. In order to have enough power to go up steep inclines, the scooter can exceed this speed limit at full throttle on flat ground or going downhill. You are responsible for keeping the speed of the scooter below 5 miles per hour by monitoring the speed display on the dashboard.

The front console of the mobility scooter includes a speed display, the direction control switch, and the throttle.

Always keep both hands on the handles and both feet on the floorboard while operating the scooter. This driving position gives you the most control over your scooter.

Toggle the direction you want to travel in with the button on the control console. Press D to drive forward or R to drive in reverse. Twist the right side handgrip towards you to throttle up. The scooter reverse speed is always less than the forward speed.

To steer, use your hands to pull and push on the handles. Pull on the left handgrip to steer your scooter to the left. Pull on the right handgrip to steer your scooter to the right.

To stop, slowly let go of the right side handgrip. If you let go too quickly, you will have a bumpy stop. Please keep in mind that it will take a few seconds to come to a full stop. The faster you are traveling, the longer it will take to stop.  

Avoid reaching out of the scooter or bending down while driving the scooter. If you drop something, please get off the scooter before picking it up, or have your companion pick it up for you. Be sure to turn the ignition key off before getting out of and back into the scooter.

Driving tips

The scooter is designed to be driven on packed soil, grass, and gravel.

• Do not drive on snow, ice, cut grass, or wet leaves.
• Reduce your scooter’s speed when driving on uneven terrain and/or soft surfaces.
• Avoid tall grass that can become tangled in the running gear.
• Avoid loosely packed gravel and sand.
• If you feel unsure about driving on a surface, avoid that surface.

Sitting and power down timer feature

• If you are planning to stop moving and sit for an extended period, for example to enjoy a view or eat a snack, turn the ignition key off. This will prevent the scooter from moving unexpectedly if you bump the throttle.
• The scooter is equipped with an energy-saving automatic power down feature designed to preserve battery life. If the scooter is not used for approximately 20 minutes, the controls will shut down automatically. If the power down timer feature takes effect, turn the key off and then back on again.

Keeping the scooter clean

• Please do not smoke or vape while riding in the Mobility Scooter. Please apply bug spray and spray sunblock before you get in the chair. If you need to re-apply while you are on the trail, please spray the product into your hand and rub it on instead of spraying.

Courtesy, ethics, and the environment

• Be courteous of other trail users.
• Share the trail. Give non-motorized trail users the right of way.
• Keep right unless passing.
• When passing others, alert them with an audible signal such as by voice, bell, or horn.
• Travel at a reasonable speed. The maximum speed allowed on power-driven mobility devices is 5 miles per hour.
• Yield the right of way to those passing you from behind or traveling uphill.
• Stay on designated trails. Riding off the trail damages wildlife habitat and contributes to erosion.
• Keep noise down.
• Do not litter. Carry in, carry out all trash and belongings.

Sharing trails with horses

• Horses’ natural instincts can influence their behavior and affect the way they react to circumstances encountered on the trail. Meeting a mobility scooter may be a new experience for a horse. Please follow these guidelines when meeting a horse on the trail.
• Pull to the side of the trail far enough for horses to pass safely as soon as you see them.
• Pull to the downhill/lower side of the trail if possible. Horses tend to see unknown threats on the uphill side as predators.
• Speak to the rider and horse in a friendly, relaxed tone.
• When approaching horses from behind, stop. Call ahead and make yourself known to the rider. Ask them if it is OK to pass and the best way to do so.
• Riders might pull to the side of the trail if they hear you coming, but this doesn’t mean it is safe for you to ride by. Stop and wait for instructions from the horse rider.
• Ask the horse rider what they would like to do. The horse rider will know their horse and how they react.
• The horse rider may ask you to stop so they can ride past you.
• The horse rider may stay to the side of the trail and ask you to pass them.
• If you pass a horse, keep your speed low and steady and your sound as low as possible. Sudden movements or sounds can startle horses.
• Be alert, aware, and on guard for oncoming hikers or horses while you are passing.

Reservations

Thank you for reviewing these instructions. You can now make a reservation to use the scooter online. The reservation code is 112358. 

The Mobility Scooter will be available at Maudslay State Park from May 12–October 31, 2025. 

Questions or concerns

If you have any questions or concerns about the Mobility Scooter, or are having trouble making a reservation using the online form, please contact the Universal Access Program at [e-mail] or [phone].