There’s no denying that electric scooters or “e-scooters” have risen sharply in popularity in recent years. E-scooters are affordable, fun, and convenient ways to travel, and they’re also easy to store away when people aren’t using them.

Another reason e-scooters have become so popular is due to their environmental impact; they are much better for the environment than anything with a combustion engine like cars, motorcycles, trucks, buses, and trains.

Are you thinking of getting an e-scooter soon? If so, it makes sense to know how to ride e-scooters the correct way. With that in mind, it’s worth taking a look at the following scooter safty hints, tips, and facts:

Knowing the Law

Some people don’t realize how they could be falling afoul of local or state laws and rules regarding e-scooters. In the United States, the laws surrounding e-scooter usage differ depending on a person’s physical location.

For example, California enacted e-scooter laws that dictate specific scooter saftey rules, such as the requirement for under-18 riders to wear bicycle helmets, and riders aren’t allowed to use sidewalks unless parking or moving an e-scooter to a road.

Some people also aren’t aware some federal laws apply to e-scooters. The H.R. 727 amendment of the Consumer Product Safety Act states that e-scooters can legally use roads with or without cycle lanes, as long as they can’t go any faster than 20 mph.

Before you even think of getting on an e-scooter, it makes sense to learn which laws apply to you in your area.

Electric Scooter Safety Checks

Is there such a thing as a safe scooter? The answer is yes; e-scooters are just as safe as other vehicles that use the road. But, the answer depends on several factors - one of which is e-scooter maintenance.

By their very nature, e-scooter designs are simple, so performing regular maintenance and scooters safety checks shouldn’t take long. These are the main electric scooter safety points to check on an e-scooter:

Wheels

E-scooter wheels are small but are still susceptible to damage from road hazards, for example. You should always ensure the tires get inflated to the correct pressures and replace any punctured inner tubes that exhibit slow leaks.

Wheel Alignment

When you ride an e-scooter, you know which direction you want to go. But, if you haven’t checked its wheel alignment, your e-scooter might have other ideas! That’s why you should always inspect your e-scooter’s wheel alignment regularly.

To do that, you need to hold the front wheel between your feet and check that the handlebars aren’t loose. You must also ensure that all bolts on the stem are tight. Once you’ve done that, you can be sure that your wheel alignment is correct.

Brakes

Next, always ensure your e-scooter’s brakes are working correctly. Check they function as expected and that the rotors and pads don’t need replacing.

Also, test that the calipers are working correctly; sometimes, they could have sticking pistons that cause the brake pads to operate or wear unevenly.

Handlebars

Lastly, your e-scooter handlebar and levers should also work correctly as part of your scooter safe operation checks.

Why Buying Is Better Than Renting

These days, e-scooter enthusiasts have the choice to buy or rent e-scooters. Some people may advocate that renting is a cheaper and more affordable option than buying. However, it makes more sense to buy an e-scooter instead of renting one. Here’s why:

You’ll Take Better Care of Your E-Scooter

The trouble with renting an e-scooter is there are no guarantees with electric scooters safety credentials. Plus, the company you hire an e-scooter from will likely absolve any responsibility should you have an accident due to faulty parts.

When you own your e-scooter, you’ll take good care of it because you don’t want to end up in the emergency room due to improper maintenance.

Freedom to Ride Whenever You Want

Another advantage of e-scooter ownership is you can ride your two-wheeled transport whenever you like. If you wanted to rent an e-scooter, you’d first have to find one available to use - and it could be miles from where you are.

Knowing How to Ride an E-Scooter

When you first learned to ride a bicycle, you likely spent a lot of time getting to grips with how it works, balancing it, and knowing its limitations before you felt comfortable using it regularly.

The same thing applies to e-scooters. You need to understand e-scooter safety concepts, how and when to accelerate or brake, and how to balance yourself at low speeds while riding on uneven ground.

Knowing how to ride an e-scooter isn’t just about getting used to it; you’re also significantly diminishing your chances of having an accident and potentially injuring other people.

It’s possible to teach yourself how to ride an e-scooter safely through practice and watching YouTube videos, for example. But, you can also get training and guidance from expert tutors users in your area.

How to Prevent E-Scooter Accidents

Electric scooter safety statistics are considerably better than those of motorcycles and other two-wheeled transport powered by combustion engines.

You can prevent e-scooter accidents by being a responsible rider. For example, you already know that it makes sense to conduct regular maintenance checks on your e-scooter before you ride it.

Using an e-scooter in only appropriate conditions like on paved roads or dedicated bike lanes also makes sense.

Plus, you should get plenty of practice with an e-scooter before taking it out on the road and in busy traffic. But, there are some other steps you can take. One idea is to ensure you buy a safe start electric scooter; they provide progressive acceleration rather than instant power.

Lastly, while there is no safety guard scooters can still be safe to use if you wear a protective helmet and clothing, much like what you’d wear if riding a bicycle or motorcycle.
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Final Thoughts

E-scooters are set to continue rising in popularity, and you’re likely to see more of them getting used each day. Understanding the laws surrounding e-scooters in your area, plus taking a common-sense approach to owning and riding an e-scooter, will boost your safety.