If you are new to the world of personal transportation vehicles, you may wonder how to ride an electric scooter. Some of the best electric scooters, after all, feature steep learning curves as a barrier to entry. So why get into electric scooters, and what are some general tips for riding one successfully? Keep reading to find out.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Electric scooters are a great and energy-efficient way to complete errands or just to ride for fun.
- Each scooter is different, so become acquainted with your make and model before attempting to ride it to ensure electric scooter safety.
- Fully charge the battery, don appropriate safety gear, and adopt the right stance for your scooter to get started. Also, follow traffic laws and stick to bike lanes.
Why Ride an Electric Scooter?
Before buying the best electric moped, it is helpful to understand why these types of vehicles are beneficial for your life. E-scooters are a great way to simplify your morning commute once you’ve learned how to start an electric scooter.
In fact, safety is a high priority when it comes to e-scooters, so it’s important to wear protective gear, use the foot brakes correctly, and utilize body weight shifts while riding. With the right level of skill and experience, electric scooters can be used as a reliable form of transportation.
They are even useful for night drives, especially after finding the best lights for an electric scooter. In short, these are fun and useful transportation options for both suburban and city dwellers. High-quality electric scooters are ideal for commuting as they offer a reliable mode of transport on public roads, allowing people to get around quickly and safely. Furthermore, their affordability and convenience make them an attractive option for many.
Insider Tip
Never ride an e-scooter without the appropriate safety gear, especially a helmet.
How to Ride an E-Scooter
Each scooter is different, with different learning curves. The basics are the same, however, and these are skills you likely already possess if you ride bikes, motorcycles, or even drive cars. Let’s go over some general riding tips to get you started.
Charge that Battery
Before your first ride on any electric vehicle, make sure the battery is sufficiently charged. Fortunately, advances in battery technology have allowed for better battery life, and long-lasting batteries with improved performance.
Most manufacturers recommend a full charge before taking that scooter out on the road for the first time. Also, become acquainted with the battery’s range, so you won’t find yourself stuck in the middle of nowhere during a morning commute or running errands.
An electric scooter for beginners has a range of about 7-12 miles, while a more powerful scooter can go up to 20-35 miles on a single charge. Additionally, some electric scooter riders prefer to bring along a secondary backup battery to extend the range for longer trips.
Wear Safety Gear
Safety is the name of the game here, as accidents happen whenever you ride in a moving vehicle. Start with a high-quality helmet to cushion cranial blows and move on from there. Full-face helmets provide a high level of protection and are well-suited to protect your face from injury. A cycle helmet is also a good option, as it is designed with safety in mind, usually made of tough materials and engineered to disperse the energy generated by crashing at high speed.
We also recommend knee pads, arm pads, and a number of other safety-enhancing accessories. While at it, affix lights or light-reflecting stickers throughout the bike’s exterior, especially if you plan to ride at night.
Use the Correct Stance
Depending on your scooter’s make, model, and type, it will likely require a unique process to start the engine. This typically involves choosing the correct stance and engaging the motor. A popular stance is called the kick scooter stance; though, as expected, this only applies to kick scooters. Read the instructions and find the right stance for your e-scooter, as well as other pertinent information on starting the motor.
STAT: E-scooters are almost as dangerous as bicycles and have many of the same hazards. (source)
