This detailed guide to getting started in the wonderful hobby of riding electric scooters is aimed at people like myself. Before I first rode a scooter, I knew nothing about electric scooters, I had never ridden a scooter, and I found the whole thing a little intimidating.
There were tons of technical terms I had never heard of. In other words, I was starting from zero and didn’t know much about electric scooters.
In this beginner’s guide, I assume that you are starting from zero as well, but that you are curious and ready to dive in without getting too technical or stuck with unnecessary details.
Take your time to go through all the steps, and by the afternoon or the next day at least, you will be ready to take your first ride.
Not to mention that a little bit of preparation in advance will make your first ride easier and smoother and get you ready for lots of fun riding for years to come.
Step 1: Know the Types of Electric Scooters
The first step in getting started with an electric scooter is to know its types so that you know which one is right for you. Nowadays, many different types of electric scooters are flooding the market, and it can be overwhelming for a first-time buyer.
They all look similar and most of them share similar characteristics. All electric scooters have a deck for standing, a handlebar for giving directions, electric motors, a battery, and a suspension.
However, they are designed for different purposes to satisfy different consumer needs. Here are some breakdowns of different types of electric scooters.
Electric Kick Scooters
This is the simplest and most common type of electric scooter. They are lightweight and small, and you can carry them around easily. The average weight of an electric kick scooter is around 26-33 lbs (12-15 kg).
But, due to their lightweight and small form factors, they compromise on battery capacity, which results in less range.
The average range of an electric kick scooter is around 15 to 25 miles (24-40 km/h). However, some premium electric kick scooters, like Segway Ninebot KickScooter ES3-Plus give 28 miles of range, whereas a budget electric kick scooter like GOTRAX G2Plus gives 7 miles of range.
They are designed for riding on pavement roads, flat terrain, and urban areas. However, it is not suitable for riding on rough or bumpy surfaces that give an unpleasant riding experience. Due to their simplicity & small motors, these scooters are not as fast as other high-performance electric scooters.
The average electric kick scooter has a top speed of about 12 mph (19 km/h). Certain models can reach speeds as high as 18 mph, while others are limited to 10 mph.
For example, the top speed of a Ninebot eKickScooter C2 is 12.4 mph (20 km/h). Whereas the top speed of a Swagtron SG-8 Swagger 8 is 15 mph (24 km/h).
For this reason, electric kick scooters are suitable for kids and teens so that they have better ride control at lower speeds. These scooters are great options for first-time riders or those in the early stages of learning to ride an electric scooter.
Foldable Electric Scooters
There has been a rise in demand for foldable electric scooters. More people have been spotted cruising on their foldable electric scooters on the sidewalks.
It’s no surprise that many people prefer this mode of transport since it offers portability and takes up less parking space.
You can take your scooter up to your building at work or around the school campus. Living in a high-rise condominium is not a problem. You can take it up with you in the elevator.
Compared to a bicycle, a foldable electric scooter is much more portable, making it very easy to carry around in your hand. Due to their construction of lightweight materials, the entire scooter weighs around 26 lbs to 33 lbs (12-15 kg).
On top of being lightweight, these can be folded or unfolded in two by just pressing the lever down towards the deck.
While the lever is down, slowly raise the handlebar into the riding position to unfold or lower it down towards the deck to fold until you hear a clicking sound, which indicates it is now locked into place. There are other benefits of foldable electric scooters which we have discussed in this article.
Seated Electric Scooter
These are similar to kick scooters but with a seat. It is obvious that standing for long distances will sore your legs, but many people love to ride their e-scooters for long distances, so choosing a seated electric scooter can be a great option without compromising on the experience.
These come with all the features of a regular electric scooter and some even offer more unique features. They are also lightweight because of their aluminum construction so carrying them along is not a problem for you.
Due to their aluminum design, most seated electric scooters are capable of carrying extra weight compared to regular e-scooters. For example, a HOVSCO Porto Max seated electric scooter can carry weights up to 260 lbs (118 kg).
An e-scooter with a seat is more suitable for the human body. When sitting down on a seat, riders experience less shock in their legs than standing. This feature is useful for riders who have body pain, such as heavier or elderly people.
Step 2: Choose Your Electric Scooter
Choosing an electric scooter can be a daunting task, as there are so many options out there, all claiming to be great for beginners.
There are really two ways of thinking when it comes to choosing your first electric scooter. One way is to get the cheapest electric kick scooter out there, planning to crash numerous times without having to worry about your investment.
The other way is to get an electric scooter that you can grow with and that will be able to do things you eventually want to be able to do, like riding fast without losing balance. Only you can decide which type of e-scooter is the best fit for your budget and your goals.
There are two main types of electric scooters: those designed for kids and those designed for adults.
Electric Scooters for Adults
Most of the big electric scooters you see on the market are all adult scooters. They are different from kid electric scooters, as the major visual difference is the size. Adult e-scooters have a larger deck for standing, more power in motors, more range, weight capacity, and a taller stem.
Not only does the weight capacity increase but so does the price. On average, an entry-level adult electric scooter costs around $300, while a mid-range model costs between $900 and $1200. However, a high-end adult electric scooter can cost upwards of $1500.
As you explore the adult e-scooter market, you will find some of the popular brands of scooters, such as Apollo, Kaabo, Segway, Fluid FreeRide, and MiniMotors.
Some of the popular entry-level adult electric scooters are the Fluid Mosquito and the NIU KQi2 Pro. The mid-range scooters are the Apollo City Pro and the Segway Ninebot Max G2. However, the high-end scooters are the Apollo Phantom V3 and the Kaabo Wolf King GTR.
An average adult electric scooter weighs under 35 lbs, is equipped with a 250-watt hour lithium-ion battery and a 250-watt motor, has a top speed of 15 mph, has a range of 10 to 12 miles and costs around $500 to $600.
Electric Scooters for Kids & Teens
Electric scooters that are designed for kids or teens are smaller in size compared to adult ones. They are small and lightweight and come with a less expensive price tag. On average, a kid’s electric scooter costs around $200.
You can’t expect much durability from kid scooters as they are made up of cheaper materials like hard plastic, have weaker motors, and may even be equipped with density lead-acid batteries.
Kid electric scooters are not much more than toy scooters so they should be used as such. We don’t recommend using it on public roads or in more crowded spaces.
There are a few popular electric scooters in the kid space: Razor, Segway, and Jetson. Some of the popular electric scooter models for kids are the Segway Ninebot Kick Scooter Zing E8, Razor E300, and GoTrax Vibe.
An average kid electric scooter weighs under 22 lbs, is equipped with a 100-watt hour sealed lead or lithium-ion battery and a 150-watt motor, has a top speed of 8 mph, gives a range of 5 miles and costs around $200.
If you’re a teenager, we recommend going for entry-level adult electric scooters instead of choosing ones designed for kids. With their larger size and more powerful motors, adult scooters will offer a better riding experience without any compromises.
Step 3: Know Your Electric Scooter
Once you have an electric scooter, you need to get to know it. Different brands and models of electric scooters will each be a little bit different from each other, so take your time with the user’s manual before you get out to ride it.
It doesn’t matter whether you have a kid or an adult electric scooter; they all have these components in common:
Battery
As the name suggests, electric scooters use batteries to power their motors to function. Usually, these heavy batteries are stored under the deck, which lowers the center of gravity, creates a smooth ride, reduces weight transfer, and offers more stability when turning in corners.
However, some electric scooter models have these batteries within the stem. Most electric scooters use lithium-ion batteries due to their higher power density, which lasts longer and costs less than other battery types.
Batteries are essential components in e-scooters because they determine the scooter’s range. Battery capacity is mentioned in watt-hours (Wh). For example, the Segway Ninebot MAX G2 has a 551 Wh lithium-ion battery.
Higher-end and mid-range electric scooters have an intelligent battery management system to extend battery life and range. Keeping the battery charge above 30% maintains the battery health of your scooter. To know more about e-scooter charging tips, read this article.
Brakes
Brakes are the only safety components that save riders from any potential injuries. There are different types of brakes in an e-scooter but the most common are mechanical and electronic brakes.
Mechanical brakes use friction to slow down the electric scooter. Some common types of mechanical brakes are drums, discs, and foot brakes.
Electronic brakes don’t use any friction; instead, they use direct current (DC) to reverse the inertia of the motor, This results in quicker stop times and less maintenance over time.
In general, mechanical brakes offer a much stronger response compared to electric brakes. But the plus point is that the electric system doesn’t require any regular adjustments or maintenance.
We saw that many scooters have a combination of both mechanical and electrical braking systems. We recommend you go for an electric scooter that has at least two braking systems. In case one fails, the other will save you from any accidents.
Deck
The deck is the platform where you place your foot while riding your electric scooter. Under the deck, there is a compartment where your battery is stored. The majority of the deck is made up of rubberized material to offer better traction while riding.
Different brands have their own unique decks; some have wide decks for more space, while others have narrow decks for a compact design.
On average, the electric scooter deck width is 5 to 7 inches and the length is 20 to 22 inches. However, some brand scooters have their own sizes as per their models.
Handlebars
The handlebars give you control over your scooter. They are equipped with all the controls, such as accelerator, brakes, power buttons, and a display showing speed and battery level.
The handlebar lets you stir the electric scooter in different directions. A good quality electric scooter always has a handlebar that comes with a good grip.
Some electric scooter brands, like Segway, offer a TPR (Total Physical Response) handle grip in their scooters for better grip and superior anti-skid traction.
Most scooters have foldable handlebars, which reduce their width and make them more compact to store and easily transport to different places.
Speed Controller
As the name suggests, the speed controller lets you control the speed of your electric scooter by sending power to the motor based on accelerator input.
It is an electric device that controls and transfers the flow of current from the battery to the motor.
The speed controller receives input from the accelerator you give and transfers that into a current that is sent to the motor and the motor will change the speed accordingly.
Controllers are measured based on the voltage and the current they can regulate. E-scooters with more powerful motors will have controllers with higher max voltage and higher max current ratings.
Speed controllers are rated based on the voltage; the more powerful motors, the higher the maximum voltage and maximum current ratings they have.
Lights
Having good visibility is important during night riding and having a bright light on your scooter is necessary so that you can avoid any obstacles at night.
But most electric scooters don’t have proper headlights and taillights. Rather, they are equipped with lackluster built-in lighting.
Almost every electric scooter has at least one LED headlight and a braked activity taillight. Some scooters come with multi-coloured LEDs that are placed and shine from under the deck.
These lights enhance the looks and improve the visibility of your scooter, but they cannot replace the headlight and taillight.
Most of the LED headlights in electric scooters are weak and you can’t see using these lights when riding at night. This is the reason why I always install additional lights on my electric scooter for better visibility and safety at night.
Motor
The majority of electric scooters come with brushless motors that are built into the hub of wheels. For those who don’t know what brushless motors are? Brushless motors have permanent magnets in the center that rotate around the coils.
These motors are best suited for applications that will be used for their longer lifespan and greater energy efficiency. Electric motors are measured based on units of watts.
There are two types of electric scooters you will see on the market, single and dual-motor e-scooters. In a single motor, the motors are fitted in the rear wheel.
But in the dual motor, both wheels have built-in motors. Usually, high-performance and powerful electric scooters are equipped with dual motors for superior performance and range.
On average, an entry-level electric scooter has a 350-watt motor like Niu Kqi3 Pro, and an intermediate electric scooter has a 500-watt motor like Apollo City Pro. While a high-performance electric scooter has a dual motor of 1200 watts like the Apollo Phantom.
Stem
The stem is a metal tube that joins the handlebars to the front wheels. Most electric scooter’s stems can be foldable and you can use the stem as a handle to carry your e-scooter around.
However, due to the foldable mechanism, sometimes budget e-scooters have stem instability issues, because of which this benefit can become an issue of unstable riding experience.
The folding part of the stem is very sensitive and can be loose when putting too much pressure on it. When applying force to your handlebars, you will notice the whole stem moving back and forth; this is called stem wobble.
But this issue is only applicable to budget electric scooters because manufacturers are cost-cutting to use cheaper materials to make decent folding mechanisms.
However, the premium E-scooter folding mechanism is made up of a stronger material and can handle greater force and pressure.
Suspension
Nearly all entry-level electric scooters don’t have any suspension, so while you ride over the potholes, you will surely feel the bumps. However, this is not the case with high-performance or off-road electric scooters.
For example, the Kaabo Wolf King GT is a high-performance electric scooter with a dual hydraulic suspension system and dampers that absorb shock while riding, giving you a stable and comfortable ride experience on uneven terrain.
The suspension used on cars and bikes improves ride quality and avoids sudden shocks from uneven road surfaces. Normally, three common types of suspension systems are found in an electric scooter, rubber suspension, spring, and hydraulic or air piston.
A good high-performance electric scooter has a combination of piston and spring suspension known as coil-over-hydraulic or coil-over-air.
Most of the e-scooters without suspension have large pneumatic tires that offer damping effects. Large pneumatic tires have a better form of suspension compared to some cheap spring suspensions used in budget electric scooters.
Tires
Electric scooter tires wear out more quickly compared to regular kick scooters because heavy batteries are in them. It puts more pressure on tires and creates more friction on tires, causing them to wear out more quickly.
There are mainly two types of tires on an electric scooter, pneumatic and airless. Pneumatic tires are basically tires with air inside, just like regular car tires.
But airless tires don’t have air inside; rather, they are made up of strong rubber and come in different varieties, such as honeycomb, polymer-filled and solid.
If you ask me which tires I should choose, I would recommend the pneumatic tires because they offer better ride quality even without suspension on your scooter, and they perform much better on uneven road surfaces.
Step 4- Know the Local Laws and Regulations
Most states have their own laws for electric scooters so before riding your adult electric scooter on roads or in other public spaces, make sure you review your local and state laws.
The laws on electric scooters may vary depending on which state and city you live in. In cities, electric scooters are completely banned and some have no regulations at all.
For example, DMV registration is mandated for personal electric scooters in North Carolina, Hawaii, and Louisiana.
Even in California, You need a valid driver’s license or learner’s permit in order to ride your e-scooter. You can only ride on bike lanes and public roads if you ride under the 15mph speed limit.
If you ride more than 25 mph speed limit, you cannot ride legally on public roads. Any rider under 18 years of age must wear a helmet while riding their e-scooters.
The legal authorities are starting to impose regulations on electric scooters, which are considered the same as bicycles.
Generally, they must be ridden on the street or in the bike lanes and are prohibited from riding on pedestrian pathways or sidewalks.
Step 5- Learn the Basic Safety Guidelines
As electric scooters are in the limelight, many particular incidents happened that pointed out the scooter as a dangerous vehicle. But nobody talks about the riders.
No matter what vehicle you give to thoughtless and reckless riders, they will try to ride in an unsafe way and end up getting injured.
The major factors in unsafe riding depend on how you ride, at what speed you are, and the safety equipment you use. This is what makes riding an electric scooter dangerous.
If you think for a moment, you will realize the electric scooter is a phenomenally environmentally friendly, portable, and economical transport device. So to use this amazing mode of transport, you need to first take some safety precautions.
Always Wear a Helmet While Riding
For a rider, a helmet is by far the most important piece of safety equipment. I see many riders who avoid wearing a helmet when going for short rides; they say I am just going to be 2 blocks away so I don’t need to wear it.
But accidents can happen anywhere, even within 2 blocks. Sooner or later, you will fall, and it will happen. But the question is, will you be prepared? You should ask this question yourself.
In addition to a helmet, you should also wear gloves and elbow pads to protect yourself. If you have your own electric scooter, then investing a little more in safety gear is a no-brainer.
Slow Down When Taking Corners
Electric scooters have small and narrow tires; they are prone to losing control during fast-paced driving, especially when taking corners.
As you slow down your speed, you will have more control over your ride and better maneuverability.
Make sure to apply brakes slowly as you reach the corner and avoid applying hard brakes; otherwise, your wheel will be locked up or skidding.
You can practice this on your e-scooter before hitting the road to keep you safe from unwanted injuries.
Slow Down When Looking back or Taking a U-Turn
In the early days of learning to ride an e-scooter, I developed the habit of frequently looking back to see if someone was coming from behind because electric scooters don’t have side mirrors.
Unfortunately, one day while riding my scooter at 15 mph, I looked behind again, I accidentally rode into a tree and I paid the price. You can learn from my mistakes and always slow down when looking back or taking a U-turn while riding.
Have you ever noticed that when you look back while riding your electric scooter, your body naturally tilts to one side, causing your hands to shift the force in that direction?
This is the reason you might go off-road and crash your scooter. Even on a slow e-scooter, it’s easy to underestimate the speed at which you are riding. Before you know it, you may find yourself lying on the road, thinking that slowing down is not really a bad idea.
If your e-scooter doesn’t have indicators, you have the option to point with your arms, but letting go of the handlebars is also a risk, so you might want to poke your foot out instead, indicating where you are turning.
Look Ahead
Observing the road conditions is one of the most important skills you need to have as an e-scooter rider. The smaller wheels are not suitable for potholes, so you need to be watchful.
Avoid riding on uneven surfaces like potholes and roads full of debris. Otherwise, this will put more strain on your tires and suspension. Maintain a good eye distance in front so that you can react quickly.
Don’t Use Your Phone While Riding
I know it is a very obvious thing not to do while riding. But I see so many people taking selfies or making videos while carrying their phones in one hand and holding the handlebars with the other hand while riding their e-scooters.
It is scary to steer an e-scooter with one hand and end up losing control, so we don’t recommend it. The use of phones in traffic is one of the causes of many accidents. You need to look for other vehicles and traffic when riding in a public space.
Avoid Riding in Extreme Weather
Even your electric scooter has a good IP rating and can handle rain. However, we still don’t recommend that you ride in bad weather conditions.
Even if you own the most expensive electric scooter, there is no guarantee that you will safely ride it in extreme weather conditions, as there is no one who can go against mother nature. We have covered more in-depth in this article whether it’s safe to ride an electric scooter in the rain.
Step 6- Get Your Electric Scooter Ready for the Ride
There are a number of things that you need to do with your electric scooter before it is ridden. When taking your first ride, we recommend planning to follow all of the steps mentioned below.
Check The Tire Pressure
Most of the neglected parts in an electric scooter are the tires, and if not checked properly, they can be the reason for skidding or increased stopping distance in your electric scooter.
Some other things you should look at in your tires are the signs of wear and the tread depth of the tires. If the tires are worn, then you will not get enough traction on the road and will lack response when braking.
Tread depth is the part of the tire that touches the ground. If your e-scooter has pneumatic tires, then be sure they are inflated to the right PSI (pound per square inch).
Each electric scooter has a different recommended PSI for its tires. For example, Apollo City has recommended 50 PSI to get the maximum range and control.
Having the right PSI in your tires ensures you will get extended range and maximum control over your e-scooter. But if you have airless tires, then you don’t check much.
Check Your E-scooter Battery
Before heading on your trip, always check the battery level. You don’t want to be in a situation where you are stuck in the middle of nowhere due to insufficient battery level in your e-scooter. So make sure your battery is charged enough.
To be on the safer side, charge your battery the day before or bring your charger with you so that you can charge it at your workplace or other places. However, some electric scooters have a swappable battery, so you can swap them with a spare battery.
For example, Levy Plus is an e-scooter that has a 460-watt-hour swappable battery. Once the battery runs out of power, you can easily replace it with a spare one.
Check Stem and Folding Mechanism
Most of the e-scooters have a folding stem and come in different designs to ensure stability and ease of use. Some of the common types of folding mechanisms in stems are lever or latched, clasp, hinge, and telescoping-based mechanisms.
Folding stem mechanism can be a game-changer for carrying your e-scooters from one place to another. But sometimes this feature can become the root cause of unstable rides. Yes, you read it right.
Some entry-level electric scooters have folding mechanics that are built from low-quality materials, which can loosen over time and affect your riding experience.
So, be sure to check your stem folding mechanism and ensure it is locked properly. If you notice any damage or if it’s broken, avoid riding it before it is repaired.
Check Suspension If You Have
If your e-scooter is equipped with suspension, make sure it’s functioning properly. E-scooters without suspension often have pneumatic tires that can absorb shocks on rough roads.
Sometimes, when you’re off-roading, debris can get stuck in the suspension, affecting its performance. Before each ride, take a quick look at your suspension. If you notice any issues, such as worn-out parts, replace them and avoid riding until it’s fixed.
Brake Lights
Don’t forget to add brake lights to your pre-ride checklist. Though they may seem small, these lights play a big role in alerting other drivers when you’re slowing down or coming to a stop.
Step 7- Ride Your Electric Scooter for the First Time
Don’t lose your excitement just yet! Even though you’ve been eagerly anticipating this moment, there are still a few things to take care of before you can ride that electric scooter.
Before you start zipping around, it’s important to go through a pre-ride checklist to make sure everything is good to go. This means carefully inspecting the scooter for any damage and checking the suspension, tires, brakes, and battery to ensure they’re all in top-notch condition.
Now it’s time to ride your electric scooter for the first time.
Go to an Empty Park or an Empty Parking Lot
Make sure no one is nearby to avoid accidents. Start by lifting the kickstand on the side of the deck. Then, grip the handlebar to steer. Place one foot on the deck and use your other foot to push off the ground.
Accelerate Slowly to Move Forward
Once the e-scooter starts moving, gently press the throttle or button at the same time. But be careful not to push the throttle too much to avoid sudden speeding and losing control. Since you’re still learning, it’s best to gradually and steadily accelerate your e-scooter.
Electric scooters commonly have three common speed modes. ECO mode is the most economical, with an average speed of 6 mph, making it ideal for new riders. D is the standard mode, reaching an average speed of 12 mph, and S is the sport mode, reaching an average speed of up to 15 mph, suitable for experienced riders.
As a new rider, it’s recommended to stick with ECO mode initially and gradually transition to the standard mode over time.
Try to Balance and Stabilize Yourself
Keep your balance while riding in eco mode by maintaining a steady speed. As you progress, shift your weight and use the handlebar to make turns gradually. It’s important to avoid riding with just one hand, even at low speeds.
The handlebars are placed to give direction and support. So, don’t lean or push too hard on them; otherwise, you will lose balance and fall to the ground.
When accelerating, move your body forward so your body can cope with speed. When braking, lean your body backward to prevent forward imbalance. These body adjustments help evenly distribute the weight on the e-scooter and prevent potential loss of balance.
Apply the Brake Slowly
To slow down or stop an electric scooter, you need to shift your body weight backwards and down and then pull the brake lever evenly at a normal pace. Practice this process a couple of times until you are really good at it.
Avoid pulling the brakes too hard while turning, as it can cause you to fall off the ground. Instead, slowly lower your speed by releasing the throttle and slowly applying the brakes.
Look Ahead When Riding
As you cruise on your electric scooter, make sure to keep your eyes up and stay aware of your surroundings to navigate around any obstacles. Some new riders have a habit of looking down at the handlebars. I made the same mistake but that’s not a good habit to have as a rider.
But it’s important to keep your eyes on the road ahead at all times so you can see where you’re headed. As a new rider, avoid riding on public streets and in crowded places because you are still not comfortable riding around obstacles.
Take some training cones and place them in a straight line with a 5-foot gap and then try to ride between them in a zig-zag movement. This will help you develop a quick reaction habit and cornering skills so that you can avoid sudden obstacles in your path.
Step 8- Common Mistakes to Avoid as a Beginner E-scooter Rider
Not Wearing Protective Gear
Most new riders think that wearing protective gear is not necessary while riding an electric scooter due to lower speed. But that isn’t true; some electric scooters, like the Varla Eagle One V2, can travel up to 40 mph, the same as a regular bike. So, don’t leap onto your e-scooter without thinking about protective gear.
Hard Acceleration Habit
Most new riders have a habit of pressing the throttle too quickly, which causes the e-scooter to accelerate too rapidly. This can be dangerous if you are not comfortable handling sudden responses.
Some e-scooters have powerful acceleration, like the Varla Eagle One V2, which can travel from 0 to 25 MPH in just 5.8 seconds. Handling this kind of acceleration can be challenging for new riders, and it’s very easy to lose control while accelerating.
To avoid sudden acceleration, practice applying less pressure to the throttle and slowly increasing the speed. Do not push the limit of the acceleration that you are not capable of handling.
Moving the Handlebar Too Quickly
It’s a common mistake for new riders to turn the handlebars too quickly when learning to ride an electric scooter. Even at normal speeds, making sudden turns can lead to losing balance and tipping over.
In my early days of learning, I fell too many times due to constantly wiggling the handlebars, even when the speed was 5 mph. The handlebars are meant for steering and maintaining balance, so always turn the handlebars slowly and smoothly in a controlled manner.
While riding in public areas, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings when making turns. Over time, as you become more confident in your riding skills, start practising leaning to turn with your body rather than solely relying on steering with the front wheel.
These are only a few of the electric scooter mistakes new beginner riders make, but there are more of them which we have discussed in this article.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
How Difficult is It to Ride an Electric Scooter?
Riding an electric scooter is not difficult at all. Learn a few basics and it only takes a couple of minutes to take your first ride. It is easier than riding a bike, as there is a shallow learning curve. However, everyone learns at their own pace. Most new riders get the hang of it quickly.
Why Can’t I balance on a Scooter?
Putting all the weight on one foot is one reason you cannot balance an electric scooter. Other reasons are leaning on the handlebars, low speed and needing to maintain proper weight distribution, which can also make it hard to balance.
How Do You Use a Scooter for the First Time?
Follow the steps to use your electric scooter for the first time.
- Check all the safety measures.
- Wear protective riding gear.
- Start by pushing off the ground with one foot to gain some momentum.
- Slowly rotate the throttle to move forward.
- Use the handlebars to steer.
- Apply brakes as the speed increases.
Is an Electric Scooter Easier than a Bike?
Electric scooters are easier to ride than electric bikes due to their lightweight construction and lower center of gravity. Focus on keeping your weight balanced on the e-scooter.
How Long Does It Take to Learn to Ride an Electric Scooter?
On average, learning to ride an electric scooter takes at least three days for a new rider. Depending on the rider’s skill and commitment, it takes consistent daily practice of at least an hour for optimal progress.
Do Electric Scooters Tip Over?
Yes, electric scooters do tip over if you turn the handlebars suddenly in either direction and lose balance. Due to small and narrow tires, e-scooters are not able to handle sudden turns at high speeds.
What is a Safe Speed for an Electric Scooter?
On average, riding an electric scooter at a speed of 12 to 15 mph is generally considered safe. However, the safe speed may vary depending on the specific type of electric scooter you are using, as it can affect factors such as braking response and other safety features.