In the past decade, electric scooters have exploded in popularity. Rental companies are popping up in cities worldwide, as the electric scooter has proven to be a safe and cost-effective way to get around. So, whether you are on vacation in a small beach town or want to see the sites in a major city, an electric scooter can help you get from point A to point B.
Today e-scooters come in every shape and size. There are different styles, and they have a seemingly endless number of uses. Where does a new rider even begin? So, let’s discuss all things electronic scooters. Keep reading to learn the what, why, and how of electric scooters.
What Are Electric Scooters?
An electric scooter is a motorized device with a small electric motor, two or three wheels, a deck for standing on, and a handlebar. The majority of scooters have an average speed of 15 mph. Models designed for children typically travel at speeds under ten mph, and there are also models designed for commuters that can reach speeds of up to 40mph. Most scooters are designed for one passenger. However, some models can safely carry two passengers. E-scooters are often intended to be ridden with the driver standing, but there are options with seats. There is a lot of variety in the e-scooter market. But all models have one thing in common: there are no pedals.
Types of Electric Scooters
The electric scooters available on the market today all fall into one of three main categories.
Electric Kick:
Electric kick scooters are what most people likely think of when they picture an electric scooter. They are traditional scooters with an electric motor added to them. They can come in two or three-wheeled varieties, and some can even be folded to make them easier to store. As the name suggests, this type of electric scooter uses a “kick off” from the rider to engage the electric motor. After kicking off, you operate the scooter via the throttle on the handlebar. This design means that even very young children can quickly learn how to ride them. However, these scooters are designed for adults as well askids. A trip to your local toy store (or Amazon) will quickly show you that there is an incredible number of options specifically for children.
Self-Balancing
This style of electric scooter is more commonly called a “hoverboard.” These single-person devices use an electric motor to power two wheels that are connected by a footpad. The rider controls the speed and direction of the hoverboard by leaning their body backward or forwards in specific ways. Most hoverboards travel at speeds under ten mph, making them particularly popular with children.
Hoverboards, however, are not the only style of self-balancing scooters. Other types of self-balancing scooters include a handlebar in the design. Typically, these scooters are called “Segway’s” (from the name of the company that invented the initial design). These scooters can reach speeds over 20mph, but the average speed across all models is under 15mph. They are designed specifically for transportation and often have longer ranges and more battery power than their hoverboard counterparts.
Electric Moped
An electric moped is a motorized two-wheeled vehicle without pedals. They come in various designs and can look like anything from a big electric scooter to a small motorcycle. They can reach top speeds of up to 30mph and are mainly used by city commuters who are looking for an easier or more environmentally friendly way to get around. Unlike the other two categories, this category of electric scooter isn’t for children. In most places, riders must be licensed. Also, the vehicle typically has to be registered and insured.
How do Electric Scooters Work?
Each category of electric scooter depends on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries to operate. They all also contain an electric motor that runs on battery power. As a result, how far and how fast you can travel varies considerably. The range of the electric scooter can be anywhere from 10 to 40 miles depending on the design.
How to Ride an Electric Scooter
The mechanics for how to ride an e-scooter will depend on what type of scooter you are riding. But no matter what kind of scooter you choose, you will want to dedicate some time to mastering the basics. With a bit of practice, you will be scooting around in no time at all.
Kick Start Scooters
Power the scooter on with the power button. This will typically be located on the base of the deck near the charging port. Place both hands on the handlebars and be sure to identify both the brake and the throttle. Next, place one foot on the scooter’s deck and keep the other on the ground. Before kicking off, use your thumb to push the throttle about halfway in. This will not move the scooter. Now, using the foot on the ground, push the electric scooter forward. Keep pushing forward (like you would on a traditional scooter).
The motor will kick in once you reach a certain speed, typically about one mph. Now place both your feet on the deck, one behind the other. With forward momentum on your side, the scooter will stay balanced, but try not to lean too far on either side. When you are ready to stop, or you need to slow down, engage the brake on the other side of the handle. It only takes a little bit of practice for most people to master a kick-start scooter. Be careful and aware of your surroundings, and you’ll be riding like a pro in no time.
Other Types of Electric Scooters
Getting started on a kick-start scooter is a relatively quick and straightforward process. However, other types of scooters, like a hoverboard or Segway, take a little longer to get the hang of. To get started, place the self-balancing scooter on a flat surface. If the scooter has a handle (like a Segway), grab onto it with both hands. Next step onto the board with one foot. It doesn’t matter which one you use. The first time you try this part can be rather difficult since the board will start moving on the side you are stepping onto. Now step onto the other side of the board. Keep your feet spread as far away as possible as this will give you the most amount of control. Finally, stand up straight and try to relax.
To move the scooter, you lean either forward or backward. The direction that you lean determines the direction the board moves. For example, to turn, push down with your toes on the side of the board you wish to turn. To move faster, lean slightly more until you reach the desired speed. To slow down, you will simply lean back. Standing straight will stop the scooter.
Don’t get frustrated if it takes a few attempts to get the hang of riding a self-balancing scooter. It is common for new riders to need a few tries before building up the confidence to control the scooter. While you get the hang of things, stay on flat, even surfaces, and keep practicing.
The Pros and Cons of Buying an Electric Scooter
Before purchasing an electric scooter, it’s a good idea to weigh the pros and cons so you can decide if this kind of electric vehicle is a good fit for your lifestyle.
Pros:
- They are environmentally friendly.
Since the motor runs on a rechargeable battery, there is no gas to buy or polluting exhaust. The electricity needed to charge the scooter costs pennies per mile, so you can save money by using an electric scooter for all or some of your daily commute.
- They are an efficient way to travel around a busy city. All types of electric scooters can usually be driven on city streets, but many types can also be driven in bike lanes or even on the sidewalk in some places. This makes traveling through congested traffic a lot easier than in a car or any other type of bigger vehicle. Many commuters find that using an electric scooter can drastically reduce their travel time to and from work.
- They are easy to store.
Many scooters can easily be stored, even in small apartments or any place you might be short on space. Some can even be folded up and kept out of the sight until you need them. Even a bigger moped-style scooter can be easier to store compared to the hassle of finding parking day after day for a car.
Cons:
- They are limited by the range of the battery.
With a motor that relies entirely on battery power, how far you can travel is limited by the size and type of battery in your scooter. While some mopeds can have ranges up to 40 miles, the smaller and more budget-friendly scooters often have a maximum range of 10-15 miles. For most city dwellers, this might not pose a problem, but you need to consider before you make any purchases.
- They need a place to charge after each use.
Once your e-scooter runs out of juice, you will need a dependable place to recharge the battery. With an electric kick scooter, this can easily be done inside your home or apartment. Depending on your battery range, you might occasionally find yourself needing to charge up while you are out and about. In either case, you need to stay aware of how much electric power your battery has if you don’t want to be left stranded. Most electric scooters will not operate without battery power, and the ones that do work will be difficult to ride.
- They can be dangerous.
Riding an electric scooter on busy city streets can often be quite dangerous. Your entire body is exposed, and you may not have much more than your wheels and the scooter’s deck between you and the road. However, the biggest threat while driving an e-scooter is from the other people using the road. Unfortunately, the drivers of other vehicles often don’t pay as much attention as they should. For pedestrians, bicyclists, and anyone on a scooter, this can prove to be extremely dangerous.
What to Look for When Buying a New Electric Scooter
What should you look for when buying an electric scooter? There are several different models available, so you’ll need to decide which type of scooter or which features will work best for your needs and budget.
Make sure it has a good battery range. The more miles it can travel before needing a recharge, the better. You’ll also want one that is easy to maneuver and comfortable to ride. Be sure to think about how you plan on using the scooter and then consider these three main points:
- Speed: How fast do you want to be able to travel on the scooter? If you are buying a scooter as a fun way to exercise on the weekends, you might not care too much about speed, but if you are purchasing a scooter to use for transportation around town, you may want a faster ride.
- Range: How far can the scooter travel on a fully charged battery. If you are using an e-scooter for personal transportation, you will want to think about how far you typically travel to avoid getting stranded.
- Weight: Find out how much the scooter weighs and be sure you can lift or carry it. If you are unlucky enough to get stranded with a dead battery, you will want to be able to pick it up or even carry it home.
Scooter Safety Tips for New Riders
First and foremost, be sure to familiarize yourself with the local laws regarding where and how you can ride an electronic scooter. Many cities and states classify them similarly to low-speed electric vehicles, so there are likely rules and regulations on how you may use them on city streets and sidewalks.
Riders under the age of 16 will most likely be required to wear a helmet at all times. Ideally, riders of all ages should wear a helmet (even if they are not required). Make sure that the helmet is well-fitting. For safety’s sake, you might also want to include knee or elbow pads.
When riding an electric scooter, it’s also important to make sure you are seen by cars and trucks (and other cyclists). You can do this by wearing bright clothing or putting reflective tape on the sides of your scooter.
Some areas may allow you to ride on the sidewalk rather than on the road with cars and trucks (and other cyclists). But if you do this, make sure you don’t ride faster than 15 miles per hour. Going faster than 15 miles per hour can make it hard for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians to see you. And always remember that even though you’re riding on the sidewalk, you still need to pay attention to traffic.
In the beginning, you are going to want to avoid busy streets or crowds when it is possible. Regardless of what type of e-scooter you choose, it’s bound to take some practice to get the hang of riding it. Once you get the scooter moving, it will naturally help you balance, but you can still fall off quite easily, so don’t depend on the self-balancing features entirely. Take things slow and easy while you are still learning how to handle the scooter. If you are unsure how to handle an obstacle, you can always jump off, move past the obstacle and start over. You are far less likely to fall or be injured jumping off the moving scooter than if you crash into something or someone.
Conclusion
Electric scooters are everywhere, and they’re getting more popular every day. That’s because anyone can learn to ride an electric scooter, from kids to grandparents. It’s much easier than it looks to get started. Whether you are riding a scooter as your primary form of transportation around your city or you want something fun to do on a sunny afternoon, electric scooters provide an environmentally friendly way to move around.