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Sidekick
What is the FDA doing about the problem?
The FDA has written to electric scooter manufacturers and requested that those manufacturers test their new
models of scooters to be certain that they provide a reasonable degree of resistance against EMI/RFI. The FDA
has stated that all newly-manufactured models of electric scooters should have a resistance level of at least 20 V/
m. This resistance level provides a reasonable degree of protection against the common sources of EMI/RFI.
The FDA has also requested or recommended that:
n Electric scooter manufacturers clearly label new products with that products resistance level or state that the
resistance level is not known.
n The labeling or informational material supplied with new electric scooters must explain what the resistance level
means and warn users about the possibility of EMI/RFI and how to avoid it.
n Electric scooter manufacturers undertake an educational program to inform electric scooter users and their
caregivers about the problems associated with EMI/RFI and about the actions they can take to minimize the
risk of EMI/RFI.
n While there is no exact way to tell if your scooter is totally safe, an immunity level of 20 V/m (May 1994) is
generally achievable and useful. This product has been tested and passed at an immunity level of 20 V/m.
Adding accessories and components or modifying the unit may change the susceptibility to EMI/RFI.
What can I do to find out if my Sidekick is likely to be affected by EMI/RFI?
If you have had your Sidekick for some time and have not experienced any unintended motion, it is not likely that
you will have a problem in the future. However, it is always possible that EMI problems could arise if you are close
to a source of radio waves. Therefore, it is very important for you to be alert to this possibility. The Sidekick
scooter meets or exceeds a resistance level of at least 20 V/m.
What can I do to reduce the risk of my Sidekick being affected by EMI/RFI?
Here are some precautions you can take:
n Do not turn on or use hand-held personal communications devices, such as citizens band (CB) radios
and cellular phones, while your Sidekick is turned on.
n Be aware of nearby radio wave transmitters, such as radio or TV stations and hand-held or mobile two-way
radios. Try not to operate your Sidekick too close to those transmitters. For example, if you are on an electric
scooter with a resistance level of at least 20 V/m, you should remain at least three feet from a hand-held two-
way radio and at least ten feet from a mobile two-way radio.
n Be aware that adding accessories and/or components, or modifying your Sidekick in any way, may change its
EMI/RFI resistance level and may make it more susceptible to interference from radio wave sources.
What should I do if my Sidekick moves unexpectedly?
If unintended motion or unintended brake release occurs, turn off your Sidekick (by removing the key) as soon as
it is safe to do so.
If my Sidekick moves unintentionally, where should I report the incident?
Call our headquarters at 1-800-800-8586 to report the incident.
III. EMI/RFI