Getting people onto the vehicle.

Mobility issues and getting in and out of vehicles go together go together like chalk and cheese. The Obamobile3 tries to make getting on and off as simple as possible, but above all safe.

Pony powered vehicles have a problem with staying still. 

If you can make your children stay still when you want them to, you MIGHT be able to make a pony stay absolutely still.  But I doubt it.  If you are helping someone with balance issues, or who needs sticks or a frame, climb steps that might randomly move, you have a problem. Pushing a wheelchair up a ramp that might move is probably worse.

With the Obamobile, people get on  when the pony is NOT attached. Obama will still be a pillock, he still won't stay still, but he won't endanger you as you get on the vehicle.

Rule 1. Never load the vehicle with the pony attached. 

This gets rid of 90% of the problems and risks.

Rule 2. The lower the floor the safer loading is.

I run the floor at 5", so the step on and off is similar to a curb on the road.

This also means the ramp angle is under 10 degrees which is considered the maximum safe wheelchair ramp angle in the UK.

Rule 3. Avoid spoked wheels. They are a trap hazard.

Spoked wheels act as big blunt scissors on any limb that gets through the spokes. this applies to adults, children and animals. I run wide pneumatic tyres on solid hubs to produce a vehicle that is comfortable running over your foot.

Rule 4. Avoid hoists to transfer from wheelchair to vehicle.

Using hoists requires skilled personnel. It can also stress the person being separated from equipment that has become part of them. With Obamobility it is unneccessary.

The Obamobile 3 takes anyone in their own wheelchair. No need to transfer. None of the risks associatred with transfer. The Obamobile takes any chair, manual or powered. We have no need for a weight limit as the vehicle can cope with 1/2 a ton. I think the heaviest we have had was 1/3 of a ton.

Below is a power chair user on the South Downs Way.