Today we show you how to ride an electric scooter safely in 7 simple steps.
As electric scooters are gaining popularity, more people unfamiliar with them are trying to ride for the first time. While it is like riding a kick scooter, there are some differences. This guide will walk you through your first scooter ride safely.
E-scooters are almost as dangerous as bicycles and have many of the same hazards. With a scooter, you are closer to the ground and unless you have a high-end scooter, you will have a lower top speed. The safety gear you need for an e-scooter is the same equipment recommended for bicycles.
The elbow and knee pads are not required after gaining some experience riding, but a helmet is always a necessity. This gear will protect you in most accidents occurring with a scooter.
Riding an electric scooter is really simple and intuitive. Getting the first steps right, however, are crucial to your safety. Follow the below steps and you'll be riding in no time.
Time to learn: 5 minutes
This will allow you to learn the steps and get a feeling for riding without having to worry about hills or other obstacles.
Using either of your feet raise the kickstand under or beside the scooter. It will lean after this so be sure to hold onto it!
Place your weak leg on the scooter’s deck with your foot facing forward. Lean forward and hold the handlebars with both hands.
Once you are moving place your strong leg on the deck behind your weak leg. This will allow you to keep your balance and minimize your size.
Different kinds of e-scooters will have different forms of throttles, but the technique is the same for all of them. start with a slow smooth motion to get the scooter moving. Use your strong leg to keep balance while you are starting to move.
Turning the handlebars will cause the scooter to turn. Like the throttle, the movements should be slow and steady to keep the ride as smooth as possible.
Many premium scooters have brakes similar to a motorcycle, moped, or bicycle. Simply pull on the brake lever to slow the scooter. Be sure to pull it slowly as you can be thrown from the scooter if it is too abrupt. There is also the option of using the back brake to slow more gradually.
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This will make the scooter jump forward and could make the rider lose control or fall off the deck.
This will make the scooter stop suddenly and could cause the rider to fall or be thrown from the scooter.
When turning it is important to shift your weight to keep the scooter upright. Turning the handlebars too far can make this impossible and cause the scooter to fall.
Leaning on a scooter while riding will change the center of balance and could cause the rider to fall.
The CDC reports that 45% of all e-scooter accidents involve head injuries that could be prevented with a helmet. 29% of all e-scooter accidents happen to inexperienced riders. That means that the majority of injuries can be prevented with proper safety gear and caution. Read our guide on e-scooter accessories to see which safety gear you need and see our riding tips guide for more safety practices you should abide by.
Tire pressure greatly affects how your electric scooter performs. We highly recommend getting an air pump or compressor with an accurate gauge to ensure you're always riding with properly inflated tires for optimal safety and performance.
Now you know the basics of riding an electric scooter. It isn’t all that difficult – actually, most people can get going comfortably in about ten minutes. Safety gear is essential as you’ll be cruising at notable speeds once you get used to your e-scooter.
Whether you’ll be getting an adult electric scooter or a kids-friendly e-scooter, you should have the knowledge needed to get started now. Make sure to always lock your electric scooter when leaving it unattended in public as they’re sadly prone to theft. Also, make sure to check up on e-scooter laws in your area before braving the streets. They’re completely forbidden in public in the UK, for instance.
If you aren’t quite sure which product to get, we have a guide covering the best options.
Nothing more to say than: “get riding!” and let us know if you have any further questions in the comments section below.
Rasmus is the creative lead at ERideHero. As a jack of all trades, Rasmus handles videography, photography and review write-ups as well as website development. He has tested more than 100 personal electric vehicles of all sorts across more than 6,000 miles.
