How to stay safe on an electric scooter
Electric scooters are a fun way to get around, and when driven properly, they are also a very safe mode of transportation. According to a study, riding an electric scooter in metropolitan settings is safer than driving a car or riding a motorcycle, and the risk of an A&E visit for an e-scooter user is equivalent to that of cyclists.
We've put together some pointers and advice on how to stay safe when riding an e-scooter to ensure that every ride is enjoyable and hassle-free.
Read the manual
It may not be as thrilling as jumping right on your escooter and starting out on your first trip, but familiarising yourself with how your new electric scooter operates is critical. Everything you need to know is in the manufacturer's instructions, and trust us when we say that spending a few minutes reading them will make your first encounter go more smoothly, easily, and safely.
Wear protective equipment
You should invest in some high-quality protection gear before riding your new electric scooter. Electric scooters can reach high speeds, such as the Inokim Oxo, which is great fun but also necessitates taking steps to safeguard oneself in the event of a slip or accident.
A helmet is the most important piece of safety gear you'll need. This is obviously critical if you're travelling anywhere with traffic, but it's also critical for off-road activities.
Because you'll be going up to 50mph (on some scooters), we strongly advise you to invest in the greatest helmet you can afford for comprehensive head protection - this isn't an area where you should cut corners.
The Inokim helmet with lights is a great choice due to it being comfortable, lightweight and strong.
Whatever helmet you choose, possessing it isn't enough; you must wear it even on short trips, so find one that you like and looks nice in. Elbow and knee protection, which are especially vital for high-speed journeys, as well as gloves that improve handlebar grip, are other items to consider.
Check your scooter
Before leaving on your trip make sure you check over your scooter to make sure all is in order:
Tyres - Do they have a good amount of air in them? Under-inflated tyres alter the way your electric scooter handles and reduce the amount of mileage you can get out of each trip. They can also leave you stranded far from home with a flat tyre. Is there any wear and tear on the tyres? Is there a lot of traction?
Battery - This may seem self-evident, but is your escooter charged enough to transport you to your destination? And then back to the house? Don't risk running out of juice and becoming stranded on the side of the road.
Brakes and throttle - It's crucial to double-check that these are both working properly before leaving the house; discovering your throttle is stuck halfway to work isn't ideal.
Frame - Make sure your escooter is fully unfolded and in the proper riding posture. It's also worth doing a quick visual inspection to make sure there's no noticeable damage or wear and tear.
Get plenty of practice
Electric scooters offer remarkably simple controls that riders of all ages may rapidly master.
Take it easy with your new electric scooter when you first get it out of the box. To begin, practise using the accelerator and brakes at low speeds until you get a feel for how the escooter handles.
Practice accelerating and braking, turning and manoeuvring around obstacles until you're comfortable stopping and starting in an open place. Make sure you practise on a variety of terrain as well; the way your electric scooter handles on smooth road surfaces will differ from how it behaves on woodland tracks. Take use of the opportunity to ride over ridges and bumps to learn how your e-scooter reacts.
Check road conditions
It's definitely better to avoid riding your electric scooter on wet or slippery roads as a novice. The road surface becomes slick during and immediately after downpours, regardless of how good your tyres are. If you're trapped in the rain, drive gently and steadily for the rest of your journey, slowing down for any corners and braking well ahead of time to avoid skidding.
Riding in torrential rain or heavy snow, in addition to slick roads and low visibility, can damage your electric scooter and should be avoided if at all feasible. Using your e-scooter during thunder and lightning storms is likewise a poor idea.
Night riding
Make sure your lights are visible to other road users if you're riding your electric scooter in the dark. This is especially critical in low-light and bad-weather circumstances. While most electric scooters include both front and back lights, if you ride after dark frequently, you may want to consider adding reflectors to your escooter so you can be seen more readily.
When you're out after dark, it's a good idea to wear some reflective clothes in addition to ensuring sure the scooter is visible. Reflective jackets don't have to be bright yellow any longer. There are also some amazing USB-charged LED reflective belts available. As previously noted, a helmet with lights to keep you properly illuminated is also a good idea.
Road awareness
Riding an electric scooter is a terrific way to unwind and relax, but it's critical that you keep your attention on the road and not on your surroundings. Keep an eye out for pedestrians, as well as automobiles and cyclists, and be prepared for the unexpected child and dog who may appear in front of you while you're off the beaten path.
Wherever possible, we advocate riding conservatively — that is, assuming that no other person or vehicle will notice you and predicting their likely moves to avoid collisions. It's difficult to anticipate the unexpected, but slowing down and allowing plenty of room and time to brake or swerve is always a smart idea. There are many other hidden dangers that escooter riders should be aware of, such as:
Grates and manhole covers - Remember that your electric scooter has small tyres, which makes riding over grates more difficult, and that metal covers might be slippery - give yourself plenty of room to manoeuvre around them.
Potholes - Uneven surfaces and potholes in the road are unpleasant enough in a car, but they should be avoided on an electric scooter since they could cause you to lose control.
Puddles - Some puddles may seem deeper than what they look like! Damaging your scooter is not worth the risk of driving through one.
Ride responsibly
Lastly, it is critical to ride safely and responsibly. Electric scooters are a lot of fun and have a good safety record, but weaving between traffic lanes, jumping red lights, and otherwise breaking the rules of the road puts you and other road users in danger.
Giving a friend a ride on your scooter is never a good idea because they aren't designed to carry two people. Because most scooters have a weight limit, you risk damaging your scooter as well as injuring yourself and your friend – and remember, if they fall off, it'll be you they're clutching!
Keep both hands on the handlebars — it's far more difficult to manage an electric scooter with only one hand if it hits something slick or bumpy.
Every ride will be more fun if you know your scooter is in perfect operating order and that you have complete control over it. We hope that by following these safety precautions, each trip you take on your electric scooter will be an exciting adventure for all the right reasons!
