Beginners Guide: How to Ride an Electric Scooter Better
Beginners Guide: How to Ride an Electric Scooter Better
One of the main reasons electric scooters are superior to other forms of transportation is their ease of operation for beginners. If you're an electric scooter beginner, you can follow these electric scooter riding tips to ride safely from the start. Doing so will reduce the chance of falls and allow you to navigate the streets with ease.
Electric scooters are an extraordinary environmentally friendly and economical means of transportation. It's here to stay, so let's get used to it and learn how to ride it safely.
Below, we'll break down how to ride an electric scooter step by step.
1.Wear a Helmet
Before we delve into any riding tips, it's important to emphasize the necessity of wearing a helmet. Many new riders think they can ditch this essential piece of riding gear.An don't think, "it's just a short trip, I can skip the helmet for that". This is the one that is going to get you. Sooner or later you will fall. It will happen. Will you be prepared? Are you a safety-conscious person?
Wearing a helmet is important for your safety and is required by law in some cities. Helmets have been shown to reduce the risk of serious head injury by up to 88%. Full face helmets also offer eye protection to keep wind and bugs out of your eyes while you ride.Also, you should always protect yourself by wearing helmet. This is obvious if you own a scooter for your daily commute.
2.Review Your Electric Scooter Manual
Every electric scooter is a little different. Before you take yours out for a spin, you may want to flip through its manual.
The manual will provide you with detailed information about your electric scooter’s:
Battery
Brakes
Controller
Cruise control
Folding mechanism
Horn
Lights
Motor
Tires
When you know the basic features of how your e-scooter operates, you can embark on your first ride with confidence. You’ll also know what to do if something goes awry on the road.
3.Look up the Laws in Your City
In addition to knowing how your electric scooter works, you may want to brush up on the e-scooter laws in your city.
You should also look up your city’s specific laws in regards to the following questions:
- Do you need a driver’s license to ride an electric scooter?
- Can you ride on sidewalks?
- Can you ride in bike lanes?
- What is the e-scooter speed limit?
- Do I need to wear a helmet to ride an electric scooter?
It will also help you assimilate with the flow of traffic safely.
4.Ride Solo (Never ride tandem)
The electric scooter is designed as a one-person vehicle. It might seem convenient to bring a friend along but the stability, braking, and overall way of riding are not for two people on a scooter. Don't ride in tandem. If you do, you will have to stand with your feet parallel which is another nono on an electric scooter. You have less balance this way. Your feet should be in a skateboard/snowboard position for maximum scooter safety regarding balance.
5.Don't use your phone while driving
Never use your phone while riding. Driving an electric scooter directly with one hand is scary and not recommended. You need to stay focused and not get distracted. In general, you need to be aware of other vehicles and traffic.
6.Avoid riding in bad weather conditions
Electric scooters aren't really ideal rainy day companions. Even if it has a good IP rating. If you find yourself riding in the rain, be aware of low grip, slick patches, white lines and avoid going fast.
7.Find an Open Space to Practice
While riding an electric scooter for the first time isn’t as complicated as other forms of transportation, it’s still helpful to practice somewhere that’s free of obstacles or distractions.This way, you can focus on getting the hang of riding without the additional pressure of evading motorists, pedestrians, and other roadside obstructions.
An empty parking lot or quiet street are two great places you can go for your first ride.
8.Accelerate and Decelerate Slowly
During your first few e-scooter trips, you’ll want to ride at a modest pace. However, you can gradually pick up speed as you become more comfortable with your riding skills.
Whenever you accelerate or decelerate, do so slowly and gradually. Every electric scooter’s throttle varies in terms of sensitivity. By going slow, you can get familiar with your model and see how quickly it revs up its speed.
9.Consider Investing in Additional Protective Gear
When you start taking longer, faster journeys on your electric scooter, you may want to wear some extra safety gear. A good rule of thumb is to match your gear to your speed - the faster you plan to ride, the more protection you will need.
Some of the items you can add to your electric scooter riding apparel include:
Knee and Elbow Pads – If you fall while riding an electric scooter, your knees and elbows are the most prone to chafing and scraping. Therefore, you may want to wear some padded protection in these areas.
Appropriate Clothing - Even if you're not wearing any special padding, long pants, a long-sleeve shirt, and open-toed shoes can provide a cushion between you and the cold, rough street.
Cycling Gloves - Thick cycling gloves will protect your hands in the event of a fall. They also keep them from catching cold if you ride in cold weather.