Electric scooters have proven that they are long-lasting and efficient. As such, they will remain a sustainable urban mobility solution for a long time. As they keep getting stronger and more popular, it is essential to establish some rules for safely using these vehicles. Some of these rules are common knowledge, while others are lesser known but equally important. Whether you have been an e-scooter user for a long time or you are just starting your adventure on two wheels, the following rules will surely prove to be useful.
1. Check your scooter regularly
The wisest thing to do would be to take your scooter to an authorized dealer for an inspection every 1000 miles. If that is not always possible, make sure to give your scooter a careful at-home inspection every month. Check to see if all screws are properly tightened and if the brakes are working well. Moreover, use a silicone-based Vaseline to grease all moving elements. A well-maintained scooter is less likely to cause an accident due to a malfunction. There are also certain things that you should inspect every time before ringing a scooter. For example, is the folding mechanism locked, is the battery properly charged, are the tires in good condition, and so on.
2. Wear safety equipment
A helmet is by far the most effective way to prevent serious head injuries in crashes involving two-wheeled vehicles. While you may not like wearing it, a helmet can save your life. Moreover, there are so many available models that it is almost impossible not to find a helmet that you like. Aside from the helmet, there are other pieces of equipment that might prove useful such as knee pads, elbow pads, and gloves. If you are constantly riding at high speeds, it is essential to wear as much protective gear as possible.
3. Be as visible as possible
Whether or not you travel at night, a reflective vest or a backpack with a reflective design is essential. At night, reflective gear is the only way to be visible. Moreover, during the day, it signals to the drivers that you are driving a vehicle, even if the vehicle is not fully visible. From certain angles, drivers might not see that you are riding a scooter and they might think that you are walking. Reflective gear prevents this confusion, thus reducing the risk of getting into an accident.
4. Practice your driving skills
Most people use e-scooters to escape traffic jams. To do this, you need to be a skilled driver to efficiently maneuver your scooter between cars and other vehicles. It helps if you do some practice in safe locations before adventuring into traffic. Turning can be particularly tricky at high speeds as you need to lean in to take the turns.
5. Don’t try any stunts
Stunts are for stuntmen, so do your best to avoid obstacles and other tricky riding scenarios. Keep in mind that electric scooters are not designed for stunts. Stunt scooters are much lighter and easier to maneuver. E-scooters are designed to be ridden on flat surfaces with minimum obstacles. Their strengths like in their speed, torque, and range, not their ability to jump over obstacles.
6. Learn the local traffic laws
When you are riding a scooter you are an active traffic participant. As such, you need to learn all the traffic rules. If scooters are not yet legally regulated in your country, follow the rules imposed for bikes. Keep in mind that the scooter laws can change frequently until they are properly integrated into the legislation. As such, make sure to check the traffic laws regularly and keep up with any new laws that might appear.