Post B0Nxl2FsR38tGKEDse by mcourcel@allovertheplace.ca
(DIR) More posts by mcourcel@allovertheplace.ca
(DIR) Post #B0Nxl2FsR38tGKEDse by mcourcel@allovertheplace.ca
2025-11-18T21:49:21Z
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So, this story intrigues me. Is there any reason why power wheelchairs can be this heavy? Maybe it should be up to the wheelchair companies to make things lighter? WestJet weight cap on power wheelchairs leaves some Canadians grounded, advocates say: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/westjet-power-wheelchair-weight-limit-9.6982990?cmp=rss
(DIR) Post #B0Nxl3dJJPTtXICS2q by Cam@mastodon.stickbear.me
2025-11-18T23:13:07Z
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@mcourcel I don't think they should be allowed to discriminate against the weight of wheelchairs. How is what your wheelchair weighs your fault? I mean if you're not sitting in it.
(DIR) Post #B0Nxl4zKH2gZjrVY00 by mcourcel@allovertheplace.ca
2025-11-18T23:14:53Z
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@Cam Yeah, I just don't understand why some wheelchairs are around 400 pounds. Imagine if you're the poor dude trying to put that in the plane?
(DIR) Post #B0Nxl5q96ew8NgDjKS by strypey@mastodon.nzoss.nz
2025-11-18T23:40:37Z
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@mcourcel> I just don't understand why some wheelchairs are around 400 poundsI'm guessing batteries? You need roughly about as much stored energy to use a powered wheelchair for a day, as you do to drive an electric motorbike for a few hours.Maybe it's also a matter of manufacturing incentives. If it costs more to make a lighter wheelchair, and there's no consequence to a medical equipment corporation if they don't, why would they?@Cam
(DIR) Post #B0NypLd4RdNaSjhIHY by mcourcel@allovertheplace.ca
2025-11-18T23:52:49Z
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@strypey @Cam Older wheelchairs used liquid or gel-based batteries. Some travel wheelchairs use dry batteries, which are much lighter.