Otis Singleton
Electric scooters are a fun and easy way to get around, but they can also be dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. This guide will teach you how to ride an electric scooter, including essential safety tips and techniques. Before you start, make sure you have safety gear like a helmet, and that you're practising in a large, open space away from obstacles and unfavourable conditions. Once you've mastered the basics, you'll be cruising with confidence and style!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safety gear | Wear a helmet and other protective gear |
| Pre-flight checks | Check the folding mechanism, battery, and tire pressure |
| Riding practice | Practice in a safe, open area before riding on roads |
| Starting | Hold the handlebars, kick up the kickstand, kick off with one foot, and push the scooter forward until it reaches 3 mph, then use the throttle |
| Riding posture | Stand with feet comfortably apart, one in front of the other |
| Speed | Maintain a speed of 5 mph or above for better balance |
| Steering | Use the handlebars to steer at very low speeds; at higher speeds, rely on weight shift and leaning |
| Braking | Use both brakes, bending knees and shifting weight back over the rear leg |
| Obstacle avoidance | Unweight the front wheel to clear obstacles; inflate tires to the proper pressure to reduce rolling resistance |
| Turning | Avoid leaning too far to avoid losing control |
| Accelerating | Avoid pushing the throttle too abruptly to prevent losing control |
What You'll Learn
Wear protective gear, including a helmet
When riding an electric scooter, it is important to wear protective gear, including a helmet. Scooter riding, especially on one wheel, can be dangerous and lead to accidents. Wearing a helmet is an absolute must as it helps reduce the risk of serious injury to the head and brain in the event of an accident. In fact, wearing a helmet has been found to reduce the odds of suffering a head injury by 51%, a serious head injury by 69%, and a fatal head injury by 65%.
To ensure your helmet offers the optimal level of protection, it needs to be the right type and size for your head and the activity you are involved in. Different helmets are designed for different activities, and a helmet that does not fit properly may not provide the level of protection you need. When trying on helmets, ensure it feels comfortable but snug and sits level on the top of your head. There should only be a small sliver of forehead exposed. If you are purchasing a helmet for a child, make sure to test their sizing by having them try on various helmets. The helmet should not move from side to side or front to back when fastened and tightened, and it should properly cover their forehead.
It is also important to consider what you wear under your helmet. On cold days, it may be tempting to wear a thick hat, but this may cause the helmet to not fit properly. Instead, opt for thinner hats or ear coverings. If you have a lot of hair, you may need to adjust your hairstyle to ensure your helmet fits well. Some helmets have ports that allow you to fit a ponytail or plait through.
In addition to wearing a helmet, consider other protective gear such as knee and elbow pads, especially when first learning to ride. This will help keep you safe as you gain experience and learn to maintain proper posture and balance on the scooter.
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Kick start your scooter, then accelerate slowly
Kick-starting your electric scooter is a convenient way to save battery life, giving you more out of each ride. Before kick-starting, make sure your scooter is well-maintained and that the battery is charged to at least 20-30%. Check the battery indicator on the dashboard or near the handlebars to confirm the battery level.
To kick-start your scooter, first, step onto the deckboard and find a well-balanced position. Using whichever foot you have on the ground, give the scooter a gentle push forward to build momentum, just like you would on a normal kick scooter. You don't need to push too hard—just enough to get the wheels rolling at around 2-3 mph.
Once you have reached a speed of about 2-3 mph, it's time to engage the motor by pressing the throttle. Don't hold the throttle while you push off, or the motor won't engage. Instead, only press the throttle after you have reached the initial speed. When pressing the throttle, avoid slamming it all the way down, as this can cause the scooter to lurch forward unexpectedly. Instead, gradually increase the throttle as you gain balance and speed.
Keep your hands firmly on the handlebars and look ahead to ensure a smooth and safe ride. Maintaining proper posture and keeping your centre of gravity over the centre of the scooter will help you maintain balance and control. Avoid leaning too far to one side or the other, and lower your speed when making turns and approaching obstacles.
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Steer with your body, not just the handlebars
When riding an electric scooter, it's important to steer with your body, not just the handlebars. This is a skill that comes with practice and experience. Here's how you can master this technique:
Firstly, understand that the handlebars are primarily for balancing and steering the front wheel straight. Avoid turning them too far or too abruptly, as this can cause the scooter to lose balance and tip over. Smooth and gradual movements are key.
To steer effectively, engage your core muscles and shift your weight to the side you want to turn towards. This technique allows you to change direction smoothly while maintaining control. Leaning into turns helps you avoid the risk of losing control, especially at higher speeds.
Maintaining proper posture is crucial. Keep your centre of gravity over the centre of the scooter. Avoid leaning too far forward, backward, or to the sides, as this can cause tumbles. Always lower your speed when turning or approaching obstacles.
Practising in a safe, private environment will help you gain confidence and master the art of steering with your body. Start in a large, open area and get familiar with the scooter's controls and features. Wear the necessary safety gear, such as a helmet and gloves, to protect yourself in case of falls.
By following these tips, you'll be able to steer your electric scooter like a pro, using your body and handlebars harmoniously. Remember, safety always comes first, so take your time to practice and perfect your riding skills.
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Avoid twisting the throttle too hard
When riding a one-wheel electric scooter, it's important to remember that smooth and controlled movements are key to a safe and enjoyable ride. One of the most important things to keep in mind is to avoid twisting the throttle too hard or too fast. Sharp and sudden twists of the throttle can cause the scooter to jerk forward or accelerate too quickly, which can be dangerous, especially for beginners. A sudden acceleration can easily throw you off balance and lead to a fall. It is also important to be aware of your surroundings and the terrain you are riding on. Twisting the throttle too hard can cause the scooter to accelerate abruptly, and if you're not prepared, you might lose control. This is especially crucial when riding on uneven surfaces or tight spaces where sudden acceleration can cause the scooter to veer off in an unintended direction. Always be mindful of your hand movements and twist the throttle gently and gradually. By doing so, you can maintain better control over your speed and direction, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable riding experience. Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you ride and familiarize yourself with the scooter's throttle response, the better you'll become at controlling your acceleration and maintaining a smooth and steady ride.
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Practice riding in a safe, open space
When practising how to ride an electric scooter, it is important to find a private area where you can get to know your scooter's controls and features. Choose a large, flat, and open space, such as a parking lot, an empty field, or a flat paved road, where you have plenty of room to manoeuvre without worrying about obstacles or traffic.
Before you start riding, familiarise yourself with your scooter and its controls. Learn what each button does, and where the throttle, lights, and brakes are, and how they work. Some scooters are kick-to-start, meaning you have to manually push off with one foot before the motor engages, while others are zero-start, meaning you can start and accelerate from a standing position.
Once you feel confident with the controls, put on all the necessary safety gear, such as a helmet and gloves, and start practising. Start with slow and steady speeds and gradually increase as you get more comfortable. Practice mounting and dismounting the scooter, as well as standing on it and maintaining your balance. Keep your feet comfortably apart, one in front of the other, like you would on a skateboard or snowboard.
To accelerate, shift your weight forward and lean into the handlebars, but be careful not to lean too far as this can cause you to lose balance and tumble. Similarly, to decelerate, shift your weight back and down over the rear wheel. When turning, lower your speed and shift your weight forward slightly, then lean in the direction you want to go. You can also use the handlebars to steer, but remember that slow and steady movements will help keep the ride smooth.
Remember to always be aware of your surroundings and practise operating the scooter with one hand so you can use hand signals to indicate your intentions to other road users. When you need to slow down or stop, pull the brake lever slowly and gradually. Pulling it too hard or too abruptly can be dangerous and cause you to be thrown from the scooter.
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Frequently asked questions
First, power on your scooter and hold onto the handlebars as you 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 motor.
Your core and weight should be doing most of the balancing and manoeuvring. Engage your core and adjust your weight to maintain balance. Keep your feet comfortably apart, one in front of the other, like you would on a skateboard or snowboard.
At very low speeds, you will need to use the handlebars to steer. At normal riding speeds (above 5 mph), keep the handlebars mostly straight and rely on weight shift and leaning to turn. To avoid obstacles, unweight the front wheel and make it as easy as possible for it to clear the obstacle.
Most scooters have brakes similar to mopeds, motorcycles or bicycles. Pull the brake lever slowly to slow down and come to a stop. Do not pull the lever too hard or unevenly, as this can cause the scooter to throw you off. Avoid braking hard while turning, as this can cause the scooter to skid and crash. Instead, straighten up before executing an emergency stop.
Always wear a helmet when riding your scooter. Check your scooter for safety before each ride. Make sure the folding mechanism is locked, the battery is charged, and the tires are in good condition and inflated to the recommended pressure. Avoid riding in the rain or at night.
