While electric scooters are becoming more and more accessible and easy to ride whenever you want, since you are still riding a mode of transportation with a motor, it is good to know how to ride an electric scooter before you just try and start
These electric scooters can often be easier to ride than something like a bicycle, and while this guide is here to help you, you also do not need to worry about this being too difficult.
However, keeping in mind certain precautions and pieces of advice will ensure that you have the smoothest experience possible. Check this guide on how to ride an electric scooter to start your experience right.
Wear Appropriate Gear
While it is not always a legal requirement, we recommend that you wear a helmet since this will keep you protected, and since you can ride at some pretty high speeds, you will want all of the protection possible. This is one safety tip to remember when learning how to ride an electric scooter.
Even if you are going on a short trip and do not plan to go that far, we recommend getting a CPSC certified helmet.
However, if your scooter goes at an above average speed, then going for something with better protection might be a good idea!
Different states have different rules and requirements when it comes to the protective equipment that you have to wear when you are riding an electric scooter.
Because of this, we recommend doing research on your local requirements, and if you can not find information online, then calling a local rental center is a great way to get some great information on the local laws and regulations!
Remember, the more speed you are travelling at, the more gear you are going to want to protect yourself!
Familiarize Yourself With The Controls
One thing to learn on how to ride an electric scooter to familiarize yourself with how it controls before you start using it.
This means knowing where the accelerator is, the brakes, as well as the horn and the lights.
If you have just received your scooter, we recommend using it first in a protected area outdoors like a parking lot.
This will ensure that you have a more controlled environment to test out the brakes and the throttle.
Some people also like to test the weight and the feel of the scooter by using it like a normal kick scooter first.
This will help you understand what the balance and the steering will feel like without having to worry about controlling the motorized element as well.
Also, some electric scooters have folding mechanisms, so knowing how these work is important as well.
You want to know if there are folding stems or a folding handlebar, and ensure that you know how to keep these locked in place so nothing falls apart while riding.
Check The Scooter Before You Start
Something we recommend doing before you ride any electric scooter, whether it is your own or a rental is to do a quick check over of the different elements and components of the electric scooter.
Quickly check to see if the tires are in a good condition and if they are pneumatic to check if they are inflated properly.
Like we mentioned in the previous section, you want to ensure that the folding parts of the electric scooter are locked into the correct position.
Also checking how the brakes are adjusted is important as well.
When you start riding the scooter, ensure that it is sounding good but also looking good.
Listen and look out for any weird noises, and obvious signs of damage, or just if there are any unusual changes to the electric scooter either.
Make sure that the battery of your electric scooter has enough charge for the trip you are taking.
Also ensure that you have a gear bag if you are going on a longer ride and your phone if you run into an emergency!
Launch By Kicking Off
Learning how to ride an electric scooter is luckily not too difficult. When you start it, all you will need to do is put one of your feet on the deck, then kick off using the other one, and then just push on the accelerator.
That said, before starting, to avoid damage ensure that your kickstand is up.
The typical stance for riding on a scooter is to have your non dominant foot in front of your other foot, however you can do it the other way round.
But, you will find some people riding with their feet next to each other.
This is not as stable and shifting your weight is more difficult as well, this also makes it harder to react to things quickly which is important when riding something like this.
When you are moving at lower speeds you will want to use your handlebars to steer your scooter. This will also mean you have to engage your core as well as adjust your weight as well.
If you need to steer at a higher speed, you will need to rely on leaning more often.
As we mentioned in the introduction, these are not too difficult to learn how to ride, and once you have, you are sure to have a great time.
We recommend the first time you ride doing it with someone who has ridden before already, but if this is not an option, we recommend setting some simple goals which are easy and safe to achieve, and making sure to take all the safety precautions before you get started!
Hi! My name is Johnathan, and I am the creator of ScooterAdvice360.com. Having been riding motor scooters and bikes for over 20 years, I have picked up a few things! I ran my own scooter store in Florida, selling all manner of motor scooters, mobility scooters, hoverboards, e-scooters and accessories, from Forzas to Vipers, Hellcats to Vespas.
Here, at ScooterAdvice360.com, I want to ensure everyone has access to the information that they need to enjoy their bikes and scooters for longer.
