Safety tips for riding electric scooters in busy urban areas
The electric scooter has become more than a form of entertainment for the kids, it has become a convenient, comfortable, and efficient mode of transportation for people of all ages!
We’re already seeing a lot of escooter on the road, and the chances are that the number will increase in the coming months. Therefore, it is time to invest some time in learning the basic safety measures of riding an electric scooter.
So whether you’re planning to buy electric adult scooters or you plan to get your kids a little upgrade from their childish scooter, it is crucial that you learn or teach them the basic safety measures before taking the scooter on the road!
The basic electric scooter safety tips
- Before you ride, inspect every part of your electric scooter.
- Keep your hands on the handlebar.
- Use bike lanes.
- Avoid going out in bad weather.
- Keep your attention on the road.
- Follow the traffic rules and wear protective gear.
If you follow the above-mentioned safety measures, you are bound to have a fun ride. Even though electric scooters are considered one of the safest rides, there is always a risk of an accident. By following the above safety tips, you’re sure to prevent as much as possible.
Now let’s talk about these safety tips in detail!
Important Safety Tips for Riding an Electric Scooter
Inspection is imperative
It goes without saying that when you take your scooter out, we recommend that you inspect its parts and ensure that they are working properly. This will help you avoid accidents or any other hassle that might come your way due to a faulty or malfunctioning part.
Below are the parts that you should check:
Throttle: ensure that the throttle of your electric scooter doesn’t stick for a smooth ride.
Lights: If you have an electric scooter that comes with head and tail lights to provide road visibility, make sure that they’re working before you head out.
Tires: It is vital to see if your tires have no visible damage and are inflated properly.
Battery: This is perhaps an important thing, as you will not be able to recharge your scooter on the way. Therefore, before you head out, you need to ensure that there is enough battery for you to make the round trip.
Brakes: Check if the brakes are loose by gripping them.
Apparent damage: Look for other damages and inspect your scooter thoroughly. Some of the common damages include damaged cabling, loose screws and bolts, or cracked frames.
A pre-check before every ride would help you identify any minor damage to your electric scooter. It would also help you avoid ending up with a completely broken scooter and paying a handsome amount for the repairs. When you see minor damage, a good approach is to repair it immediately. Instead of waiting for something bigger to happen.
Doing so would also increase the vehicle’s life span!
Keep both your hands on the handlebars.
Attempt to ride the scooter by hand, but it is important to understand that one-handed riding can really be dangerous. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you hold the handlebars with both hands. If you have an electric scooter that comes with small wheels, it would have less ground clearance for cornering.
In case you come across a pothole, ledge, crab, or road bump, you would easily lose control if you were holding the scooter with one hand.
So the safest option is to secure the handlebars using both hands.
Keep your eyes on the road
When riding the electric scooter, you can see everything outside, so it is extremely easy to get distracted. After all, it is great fun gliding down the streets.
Some of you might even have the headphones on to enjoy the music while you’re riding around. In order to avoid accidents, it is imperative that you focus on the busy roads. You need to be aware of your surroundings, stay alert, and keep both eyes peeled on the road at all times.
It is best that you avoid wearing headphones, especially when you’re riding on a busy road, as you would be able to hear the vehicles moving around you.
So, in case of an emergency, you can safeguard yourself.
Avoid going out in bad weather
Like any other vehicle, electric scooters can also get into accidents due to slippery roads. Also, if it’s raining outside, some of the electric scooter batteries are not waterproof, and exposure to the rain would damage them.
In case of bad weather, it is wise to seek an alternative transportation medium. If you do not have any choice, then you need to ensure that your electric scooter has non-skid tires. Also, you need to be extra careful while riding. Keep this speed slow, and in case of heavy rain, look for shelter.
Use the bike lane
To accommodate eco-friendly modes of transportation, such as bikes and electric riding scooters, more and more cities are adding dedicated bike lanes. So whenever possible, we suggest that you use the bike lane for riding the electric scooter.
A bike lane would provide not only you but everyone else on the road with a safer riding experience.
Follow traffic rules and wear protective gear
Last, but not least, you need to follow all the traffic rules and make sure that you or your kid are wearing the required protective gear, including knee pads and helmets.
