We will discuss electric scooter safety in this guide to help you have an enjoyable, worry-free ride.
Riding an electric scooter safely is a breeze with these 20 tips.
Wear a helmet and all the safety gear you haveDifficulty: easyRisk: freeCost: 50-200$Before hitting the road, remember the golden rule: wear a helmet and all the safety gear you have. This simple action can make a world of difference in protecting you from potential accidents.
Respect your local traffic laws, ride safely, and use lights at nightDifficulty: easyRisk: freeCost: freeSafety and responsible riding start with a few basic principles: respect your local traffic laws, ride safely, and never forget to use lights when night falls.
Stay focused, turn carefully, and don’t use your phoneDifficulty: moderateRisk: freeCost: freeTo ensure a secure and distraction-free ride, remember to stay focused, navigate turns cautiously, and avoid using your phone while on your electric scooter.
Check your scooterDifficulty: easyRisk: freeCost: freeIt only takes a moment to check your scooter, but it can save you from potential issues on the road.
Avoid riding in a bad weatherDifficulty: easyRisk: freeCost: freeTo enhance safety and rider comfort, it’s advisable to avoid riding your electric scooter in unfavorable weather conditions. Wet and slippery roads can increase the risk of accidents, so it’s best to wait for better weather for your scooter journey.
Watch out for obstacles, try to avoid pedestrian areas and heavy trafficDifficulty: moderateRisk: freeCost: freeWhen riding your electric scooter, be vigilant for obstacles, and make an effort to steer clear of pedestrian areas and congested traffic.
Ride as the manual instructs, ride solo, and avoid stunts!Difficulty: easyRisk: freeCost: freeA safe and responsible electric scooter ride begins with following the manufacturer’s manual instructions meticulously, riding solo for greater control, and refraining from any stunts or risky maneuvers.
Wear a helmet and all the safety gear you have
Here’s a comprehensive list of essential safety items that you should consider:
- Helmet: A certified helmet is an absolute must to protect your head in case of an accident. It’s the most crucial safety gear you can have.
- Gloves: Invest in quality gloves to not only enhance your grip on the handlebars but also to safeguard your hands in case of a fall.
- Elbow and knee pads: These protective pads are vital to shield your joints from potential injuries, especially during sudden falls or collisions.
- Reflective clothing: Opt for clothing with reflective elements to ensure you’re highly visible to other road users, particularly in low-light conditions or at night.
- Closed-toe shoes: Wearing closed-toe, sturdy shoes is important for better control of your scooter and protection for your feet.
- Eye protection: Whether it’s a pair of sunglasses or clear goggles, having eye protection is crucial to shield your eyes from wind, debris, and even insects while riding.
- Reflectors and lights: Confirm that your electric scooter is equipped with proper lighting, and consider adding additional reflective tape to enhance visibility.
- Horn or bell: Having a horn or bell on your scooter allows you to alert pedestrians and other riders, promoting safety and awareness on the road.
- Lock: A sturdy lock is essential for securing your electric scooter when you’re not using it, preventing theft or unauthorized use.
- First aid kit: Carrying a basic first aid kit is a smart move. It can come in handy for addressing minor injuries or emergencies while you’re out and about on your scooter.
The most important safety tip when riding an electric scooter is to always, without exception, wear a helmet appropriate for your electric scooter.
The helmet may literally be the difference between life and death. If you have doubts about this, simply go through some posts and comments in the electric scooter communities out there.
When it comes to ensuring your safety while riding an electric scooter, it’s important to have the right e-scooter safety gear and equipment and to have safety strategies in case of emergency, especially on your student campus.
If you wanna know more about electric scooter safety read this.
Make sure you wear proper scooter riding clothing as often as possible.
Check out the guide on the best electric scooter accessories if you want to gear up fully.
Respect your local traffic laws, ride safely, and use lights at night
Always be mindful of these few things:
- Follow your local traffic laws.
- Avoid riding at excessive speeds.
- Refrain from drinking or using drugs before riding.
- Always use lights when riding at night.
In some areas, electric scooters are still unregulated. That means there are no clear rules about their usage yet.
Make sure to do as much research as you can. It will save you from both an accident and a ticket.
If you are not sure about your local laws or where to find them, check out the electric scooter legal guide and look for your country or location there.
This will technically fall under the same point as respecting traffic laws. But it is so important that we should address it on its own.
Look, I get it. Scooters look cool and fun. Until a few years ago, they were not really that powerful.
Riding under any influence will cloud your judgment. On top of that, it will slow down your reflexes. That increases the chances of something bad happening.
If you are not sober, avoid riding your electric scooter. It is both unsafe and illegal.
Electric scooter manufacturers will take care of this one for you in many instances.
Ride as fast as you feel safe and comfortable, and as long as your scooter seems stable.
If you are not sure, try starting at 10 mph / 15 kmh and maybe gradually increase the top speed.
I would recommend not riding faster than 25 mph / 40 kmh at any time. Even that may be a lot already.
If you are riding in pedestrian or areas with heavy traffic, it is also strongly recommended to slow down.
Turn on as many lights as you have.
Most scooters will have both head and tail lights, which are usually enough. Some scooters have bottom lights as well, and those will also help. The more – the better.
If some of your lights are broken, make sure to fix them as soon as you can. See my guide on electric scooter lights to find out how to best achieve that.
Stay focused, turn carefully, and don’t use your phone
You should turn as slowly and as carefully as possible.
Turning is often the point where falls or accidents happen, especially when not performed carefully.
Make sure you are aware of what direction you are headed in and what is coming at you.
Riding an electric scooter puts you in a state of flow. You can easily get carried away and forget you are actually in traffic.
Always stay focused on the ride and your surroundings. Ride in an alert and focused state.
Simply don’t use your phone while riding.
If it’s an emergency stop in a safe spot away and answer the call. I’ve personally experienced the dangers of this distraction.
Once, while riding in a busy urban area, I decided to answer a text message quickly. I thought it wouldn’t take long. But within seconds, I found myself veering off course, nearly colliding with a car. It was a terrifying moment that made me realize how a momentary lapse in attention can have serious consequences.
Not only is texting or talking on the phone while riding illegally in many places, but it’s also a safety hazard.
Check your scooter
Before each ride, check these key factors for safety and reliability:
- Check tire inflation and condition
- Test the brake systems
- Ensure sufficient battery for your journey
Having a functional braking system in your electric scooter is paramount.
Many scooters will have both a mechanical disk brake and an electronic brake. Some will even have a rear fender foot-pressed brake.
You want them all working. You never know when one, or even two, can malfunction.
Make sure your tires are inflated enough, and there are no punctures or air leaking from them (check the guide on the correct tire pressure for scooters too).
Also, do a quick visual inspection to make sure the tires are not too worn out.
If you are that lazy, at least do a little kick on the tires to make sure they are inflated.
Keep in mind that this step only applies to scooters with air-filled tires, as solid-tire scooter owners don’t need to worry about their tires at all. If never worrying about tires sounds like a good deal, check out the article on the best solid-tire scooters.
Getting stuck in the middle of your journey means that the journey failed.
Before you go on a longer ride, check your battery level.
If it’s too low, the distance you will get from your scooter may not be enough. So just charge your scooter fully to make sure you get where you are going.
Avoid riding in a bad weather
Pretty much every user manual of the scooters will suggest not riding in the rain or in any type of wet weather. Even the scooters that are very water-resistant, or even true waterproof scooters, will still warn against it.
There are two main reasons for this.
The first is, that the electric scooter is an electric device. It is always wise to keep it away from water. Even though the battery and the electric parts are protected, they will never be fully immune to water. They can easily break or malfunction because of it. While rare, electric scooter defects because of water contact do happen, and they are almost never covered by your scooter’s warranty.
The second reason is safety. Riding in the rain will increase the slipperiness of the road.
Only do it if you absolutely have to, and make sure you take all the steps to waterproof your scooter in that case.
Related to the point above, wet weather, especially in the winter, will cause the road to freeze.
That is the nemesis of electric scooters. Most scooters will come with regular tires, which are not ready for winter rides.
Try to avoid riding on ice or any surface that is slippery. If doing it, do it with maximum care, and follow the recommended electric scooter winter guidelines.
Watch out for obstacles, try to avoid pedestrian areas and heavy traffic
Probably the biggest threat for electric scooter riders is careless pedestrians.
In many places, electric scooters can’t be used on sidewalks. In big urban areas, that is often justified. Only use sidewalks for very short crossings, or only when you have no other choice.
Whenever possible, avoid dense traffic. If necessary, go the longer route even. That might save you time anyway.
An electric scooter is very maneuverable and can go through traffic easily. Still, that doesn’t make sneaking through rows of cars stuck at a red light a good idea.
Obstacles can come in many forms, from potholes and debris to pedestrians unexpectedly crossing your path.
I’ve encountered situations where parked cars partially blocked the bike lane, leaving me with limited space to maneuver. These situations require careful navigation to ensure a safe passage.
Ride as the manual instructs, ride solo, and avoid stunts!
I’m always surprised at the number of people who have never even opened their scooter’s manual.
True, they may be boring, but they do contain a lot of important information inside.
They will usually include the proper way to ride your scooter. More often than not, this will mean:
- never riding with just one hand
- riding with both your legs on the deck
- not doing any jumps
- not attempting any stunts
- not accelerating when going downhill
Believe it or not, there are specially designed electric scooters for two people.
Chances are, however, you are here reading about single rider scooters.
And their manufacturers are pretty adamant about this. Electric scooters are for one person only!
Riding with another person will make the ride much harder.
Controlling the scooter will be difficult, and it is likely that the maximum load of the scooter will be exceeded.
That may easily result in damaging your scooter.
While it may seem thrilling to attempt tricks or show off your skills, it can lead to dangerous consequences.
Stunts and extreme maneuvers might look exciting when performed by professionals, but they often require extensive training, protective gear, and ideal conditions. Attempting them without proper preparation can result in accidents, injuries, or damage to your scooter.
Moreover, electric scooters are primarily designed for safe and efficient urban commuting.
FAQs
In the event of an electric scooter accident, first check for injuries and move to safety. Exchange information with any involved parties, document the scene, and report to the authorities if necessary. Contact your insurance provider, seek medical attention, and consider legal advice if the accident is significant. Additionally, be aware of the potential psychological impact on yourself or others involved and offer support as needed.
In the world of electric scooters, as in the realm of motorcycles, the risk of falling exists. To mitigate potential harm to both yourself and your scooter in case of a fall, it’s crucial to follow these essential tips. First and foremost, stay calm. If you feel a fall is imminent, panicking won’t be of any help; maintaining your composure is key. Release the handlebar, allowing yourself to focus on preserving your balance. Most importantly, prioritize safeguarding your head in the event of a fall, as head protection is of paramount importance for your safety.
Electric scooter accidents are not common, and serious accidents are even less common. Only 1 out of 5000 riders get into an accident, and only 0.02% of the riders get injured. The most common reason for injury is not wearing a helmet, as only 4% of patients admitted for electric scooter injuries wear a helmet.
Electric scooters are pretty safe. The majority of consumer, budget, and commuter scooters can barely move fast enough to cause serious injuries in most scenarios. Of course, as with literally any transportation vehicle, accidents are still possible, and they do happen every now and then.
Conclusion
Here are all the electric scooter safety tips one more time for reference:
- Wear a helmet and all the safety gear you have
- Respect your local traffic laws, ride safely, and use lights at night
- Stay focused, turn carefully, and don’t use your phone
- Check your scooter
- Avoid riding in bad weather
- Watch out for obstacles, try to avoid pedestrian areas and heavy traffic
- Ride as the manual instructs, ride solo, and avoid stunts!
Check out Barry’s video for more tips.
