5 Tips for Using a Power Wheelchair in Crowded Places

Canada Mobility Rentals
Aug 1
5 min read

We’ve Helped Hundreds: Here’s What Works

5 Tips for Using a Power Wheelchair in Crowded Places

If you’ve ever tried to get through a busy event, festival, or even just a packed shopping mall in a power wheelchair, you know it can be overwhelming. People walking in every direction, narrow paths, not enough space, loud noise, it’s a lot.

And that’s exactly why we wrote this. We’re not just a rental company handing out wheelchairs. We’re the team at Canada Mobility Rentals who’s helped hundreds of people just like you get around safely, comfortably, and confidently in all kinds of crowded places.

Most of our customers rent a Jazzy power chair or another model from the Pride motorized wheelchairs lineup. These chairs are reliable, intuitive, and honestly, pretty amazing when it comes to mobility. But even the best chair still needs a little human know-how to navigate through tight spaces, fast-moving crowds, and unpredictable obstacles.

Whether you're new to using a power wheelchair or you're just renting one short-term for a special event, here are five real tips we give to our customers every single week, and they actually work.

1. Pick the Right Chair for Where You’re Going

Hint: not every chair is built for crowds

Let’s start with the basics. If you’re heading into a crowded or compact environment, your choice of chair matters a lot more than most people think. We always recommend models like the Jazzy wheelchair series when maneuverability is key.

Why? Because they’re designed to turn smoothly in tight spaces, they’re compact enough to roll between rows of people or through narrow doors, and the control system is gentle and responsive. A Jazzy electric wheelchair doesn’t feel heavy or slow; it feels like it’s working with you, not against you.

We often see people trying to force bigger, bulkier chairs into small spaces, and it just creates more frustration. That’s why we ask about your destination before we finalize your rental. Going to a local street fair? A conference downtown? A cruise? We’ve got a chair that fits literally and functionally.

2. Don’t Skip the Test Run

10 minutes of practice makes all the difference

Here’s something we’ve learned from experience: even if it’s not your first time using a Pride electric wheelchair, every chair feels a little different. Some respond faster to joystick movement, some take a bit more effort to turn, and others are more sensitive on inclines or slick floors.

Before you head out into a crowd, take 10–15 minutes somewhere quiet, your driveway, a sidewalk, or even your hotel hallway. Practice turns. Try going slowly between two chairs or cones. See how the brakes feel. Get comfortable backing up.

We’ve had customers call us back after a day out just to say, “That practice drive saved me.” And we believe it.

At Canada Mobility Rentals, we make sure every customer gets this opportunity. We don’t just drop off the chair and go; we stick around, walk you through how it moves, and make sure you feel good about using it.

3. Don’t Shrink: Claim Your Space

This chair is your space, not your burden

Here’s something we wish more people understood: when you’re in a power wheelchair, especially a compact one like the Jazzy power chair, people don’t always see you.

Not because they’re trying to be rude, they’re just distracted. Looking at their phones, deep in conversation, rushing to get somewhere. You could be right in front of them, and they’ll still almost trip over your front wheels.

So here’s our honest advice: don’t try to shrink. Don’t apologize for taking up space. This is your way of moving through the world, and it deserves just as much room as anyone else.

That means holding your line when someone cuts across. That means speaking up politely with an “Excuse me” when you need space. And that means being confident, not timid. Your Pride power wheelchair isn’t a limitation, it’s your freedom.

One customer told us she started adding a small light strip under the seat and a little flag on the back when navigating large festivals. She said it helped people see her sooner, and it made her feel like her chair was part of her personality, not just her equipment. We loved that.

4. Adjust the Speed: It’s Not a Race

Adjust the Speed of the Wheelchair, It’s Not a Race

In a crowd, slow = smart

Almost every model we rent, especially those from the Pride power wheelchair family, has adjustable speed settings. And when it comes to moving through crowds, we always suggest turning things down a notch.

Think of it like driving in rush-hour traffic. You’re not trying to race anyone. You’re just trying to get through without bumping a bumper.

Lower speeds give you more control. You can make tighter turns, stop faster, and you won’t feel like the chair is “pulling” you forward. Plus, if someone steps in front of you, and let’s be honest, it happens all the time, you’ll have a better chance of reacting in time.

If you rent a chair from us, we’ll walk you through how to adjust those speed settings. You don’t need to figure it out on the fly in the middle of a concert crowd or outdoor market. That’s part of what we do: make sure you’re comfortable before you ever get into a crowd.

5. Know the Battery, Know the Plan

Because no one wants to stop in the middle of the fun

Battery life is the one thing we wish more people talked about openly. The good news is that chairs like the Pride motorized wheelchairs we carry have solid battery life, many can go 15 to 20 kilometers on a full charge (Depending on condition).

But in a crowded space, with lots of starts and stops, extra weight (like a bag or oxygen tank), or hills and ramps, the battery can drain faster than expected.

Here’s our quick checklist:

Always start with a full charge
Bring your charger if you’ll be out for 5+ hours
Ask us about backup chargers or battery swap options
Know where you can sit and plug in (malls, airports, and venues often have spots)

At Canada Mobility Rentals, we inspect every battery before delivery, and we’ll never hand off a chair that isn’t fully charged. But being battery-smart while you’re out just gives you more peace of mind.

One client told us she always maps out “charging zones” like cafés and rest areas before big trips. She’s never run out once, and that’s the kind of confidence we want all our customers to have.

Final Thoughts from the Canada Mobility Rental

Every week, we meet people renting a Jazzy electric wheelchair or another power model for the first time. Some are nervous. Some are hopeful. Many are doing it because they don’t want to miss out on a vacation, a grandchild’s wedding, or just a weekend at the beach.

And every time, we say the same thing: “We’ve got you.”

Using a power wheelchair in a crowd doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right chair, a few minutes of prep, and the support of a team that actually cares, it can feel like freedom.

That’s why we do what we do. Not just because we rent equipment, but because we believe mobility should never be a barrier to experience.