Trystan Casey
Electric scooters are a fun, fast, and convenient way to get around, but they can be as risky as riding a bicycle or motorcycle. Before you start riding, it's important to wear protective gear, including a helmet, and to familiarize yourself with your scooter. Check that your tires are in good condition, that the folding mechanisms are locked into place, and that the brakes are properly adjusted. Once you're ready to ride, hold onto the handlebars as you raise the kickstand, kick off with your strong leg, and push the scooter forward until it reaches about 3 mph, then use the throttle to power the scooter motor. Keep both hands on the handlebars to maintain balance, stability, and control while in motion, and always ensure that all wheels are on the ground.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safety Gear | Wear a helmet, gloves, knee pads, elbow pads, armoured clothing, and shoes with protected toes and heels |
| Clothing | Wear long sleeves and trousers, and avoid flip-flops |
| Pre-Flight Checks | Check the tires, folding mechanisms, brakes, battery, and for any unusual sounds or damage |
| Riding | Keep both hands on the handlebars, stand with your feet apart, and apply even pressure on the throttle |
| Practice | Find a private area, like an empty parking lot, to practice riding |
| Charging | Charge after each ride, avoid draining to 0%, use the original charger, and allow the scooter to cool down before charging |
| Cleaning | Regularly clean the scooter to prevent dirt and grime from affecting its components |
| Water Resistance | Wipe down the scooter with a towel if it gets wet during a ride |
| Portability | Choose a lightweight model if you prioritise portability |
| Manual Use | If the battery dies, you can push the scooter or use it like a kick scooter |
What You'll Learn
- Safety gear: Wear a helmet, gloves, long sleeves, trousers, and closed-toe shoes
- Pre-flight checks: Ensure tyres, brakes, lights, and horn are in good condition
- Kickstand and kick-off: Raise kickstand, kick scooter forward, then use throttle
- Handlebars: Keep both hands on them for balance, steering, acceleration, and braking
- Practice: Find a safe space to practice, like an empty car park
Safety gear: Wear a helmet, gloves, long sleeves, trousers, and closed-toe shoes
When riding an electric scooter, wearing a helmet is of utmost importance. Head injuries are the most common and severe type of injury in scooter accidents. A good helmet can be the difference between life and death, protecting your head, brain, face, and teeth. The type of helmet you choose depends on the speed you will be travelling at. For speeds under 20 mph, a bicycle helmet or half-face helmet will do the job. However, for speeds above 25 mph, opt for a full-face helmet with chin protection. Make sure your helmet fits snugly and always wear it when riding your scooter.
In addition to a helmet, gloves are an essential piece of safety gear. When you fall off your scooter, you will instinctively put your hands out to break your fall. Gloves will protect your hands from grazing and reduce the damage they take in a fall. Choose gloves that offer the level of protection you need, from thin skins that hug your hands to reinforced motorcycle gloves.
Long sleeves and trousers will help protect your skin in the event of a fall. Riding in a t-shirt and shorts means even a small tumble could leave you with scrapes and grazes.
Lastly, it's crucial to wear appropriate footwear when riding an electric scooter. Your feet are key to maintaining balance and control, so choose sturdy closed-toe shoes with good grip, like sneakers or boots. These will protect your feet and provide better grip on the scooter's footrests, reducing the risk of injury.
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Pre-flight checks: Ensure tyres, brakes, lights, and horn are in good condition
Before riding your electric scooter, it is important to conduct pre-flight checks to ensure your safety and the proper functioning of the scooter. Here are some essential pre-flight checks to perform, focusing on tyres, brakes, lights, and the horn:
Tyres
Check the condition of the tyres. Ensure they are properly inflated and free from any punctures or wear and tear. Inspect the tread to make sure it is not too worn down, as this can affect traction and stability. If the tyres look deflated or damaged, take the necessary steps to inflate or repair them before riding.
Brakes
Test the brakes to ensure they are functioning correctly. Apply the front and rear brakes separately and then together to make sure they are responsive and effective in slowing down or stopping the scooter. Adjust the brake tension if needed to achieve a smooth and controlled braking experience.
Lights
Check the lights on your scooter, especially if you plan to ride in low-light conditions. Ensure that the front light illuminates your path and is bright enough to be seen by others. Also, check the rear lights and turn signals to confirm they are functioning properly, as they are crucial for visibility and communicating your intentions to other road users.
Horn
Test the horn to make sure it is working properly. The horn is essential for alerting others of your presence and can help prevent accidents. Ensure that the horn is loud enough to be heard clearly, and familiarise yourself with its location on the scooter so that you can quickly access it when needed.
Remember, these pre-flight checks are crucial for your safety and the optimal performance of your electric scooter. Take the time to inspect each component thoroughly and address any issues before riding. Your safety should always be a priority!
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Kickstand and kick-off: Raise kickstand, kick scooter forward, then use throttle
To ride a smart electric scooter, you must first ensure that you are wearing the proper safety gear. This includes a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and shoes with protected toes and heels. Additionally, if you plan to ride at night or in low-light conditions, consider wearing high-visibility clothing or reflective gear. It is also important to perform pre-flight checks and find a safe, open area to practice before hitting the road.
Once you are equipped with the necessary safety gear and have found a suitable practice location, you can begin the process of kickstarting your electric scooter. The first step is to ensure that your battery is charged to at least 25-30%. Then, position yourself on the deckboard of the scooter, holding onto the handlebars as you raise the kickstand.
Now you are ready to kick off. Using your dominant leg, kick the scooter forward gently to build momentum, similar to how you would push off on a manual kick scooter. It is important to maintain your balance during this step. Once you have reached a speed of about 2-3 mph, you can then use the throttle to power the scooter's motor.
After successfully engaging the motor, place the foot you used to push off in a comfortable position on the deckboard. From here on, focus on using the handlebars and throttle to control your speed and direction. Remember to apply even pressure on the throttle for smooth acceleration and to always be mindful of your surroundings, including potential obstacles, pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles.
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Handlebars: Keep both hands on them for balance, steering, acceleration, and braking
When riding an electric scooter, it is important to keep both hands on the handlebars. This is crucial for maintaining balance, stability, and control while you're in motion. With both hands on the handlebars, you can steer the scooter more effectively, and have better control over acceleration and braking.
You will be able to react more quickly to obstacles and potential dangers on the road, such as potholes or debris. Even pressure on the throttle will help you accelerate smoothly and maintain a steady pace, which also makes it easier to anticipate hazards.
Scooter handlebars may have extra safety features that must be engaged to prevent them from folding while riding, so it is important to read the instruction manual and understand how the handlebars work before you set off.
It is also worth noting that scooter tires are much smaller than bicycle tires, so you should not expect to be able to steer with your knees or take your hands off the handlebars as you might on a bicycle.
Finally, it is recommended that you wear protective gloves when riding an electric scooter. If you fall off, your instinct will be to put your hands out to protect yourself, and gloves will help to prevent scrapes and grazes.
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Practice: Find a safe space to practice, like an empty car park
Electric scooters can be dangerous, even at low speeds, so it is important to find a safe space to practice before riding in public. An empty car park is an ideal space to practice riding your electric scooter. It is a large, flat, open, and safe environment, free from traffic, pedestrians, and other cyclists. This allows you to focus on learning about your scooter and how to ride it without distractions or hazards.
Before you head to the car park, ensure you have all the necessary safety gear, such as a helmet, gloves, and suitable footwear. A helmet is the most important piece of safety gear and should always be worn, even for short or slow rides. Gloves are also recommended to protect your hands in the event of a fall. You should also wear shoes with protected toes and heels, like sneakers or boots, to safeguard your feet.
Once you have found an empty car park and are geared up, you can start to get familiar with your scooter's controls and features. Practice mounting and dismounting the scooter, and work on maintaining your balance by standing with your feet comfortably apart, one in front of the other. Keep both hands on the handlebars to maintain stability and control while in motion, and practice using the throttle, brakes, steering, and riding settings.
Start with slow and steady speeds and gradually increase as you become more comfortable. Practice accelerating and braking smoothly and gradually to avoid skidding or losing control. You can also limit your maximum scooter speed using a beginner mode in some apps. Remember to communicate with other riders or pedestrians in the car park by ringing your bell when approaching them.
Keep practicing in the safe space until you feel confident and comfortable with your electric scooter before riding on the streets.
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Frequently asked questions
First, power on your scooter. Then, hold onto the handlebars and raise the kickstand. Kick off with your strong leg and push the scooter forward until it reaches a speed of about 3 mph, then use the throttle to power the scooter motor(s).
It is important to wear protective gear, especially a helmet. Other gear includes long-sleeved shirts, long-leg pants, closed-toe shoes, and gloves. You should also do a pre-flight check to make sure your scooter is good to go. Check that the tires are in good condition and inflated to the correct pressure, the folding mechanisms are locked into place, the brakes are properly adjusted, and the battery is charged.
Maintain stability by standing with your feet comfortably apart, one in front of the other, like you would on a skateboard or snowboard. Keep both hands on the handlebars to maintain balance, stability, and control while in motion.
There are two ways to use an electric scooter manually: either push it or use it like a kick scooter. The best method depends on the distance and terrain. If you're only traveling a short distance, either method will work. Kicking is more effective on flat surfaces while pushing might be necessary on inclines.
