Electric Scooter Safety – Best Tips & Guide

Last updated 11. December 2018

 

An electric scooter is a great way to get around without polluting the environment or having to put in a great deal of energy. With that said, there are some things that you should always keep in mind to ensure your safety and the safety of others. Riding a scooter should be a fun experience, someone getting hurt will definitely turn it into something negative.

 

Always Wear Protective Gear

Unlike a vehicle, you do not have the ability to strap yourself in. You also do not have any protection from the elements. To ensure that you are safe no matter what happens you should always wear the right protective gear. At the very least you definitely want to wear a helmet. This protects your most important organ, your brain, from being damaged if you happen to crash into something or a vehicle hits you. Not wearing a helmet is one of the main reasons people enter the emergency room each day and can lead to significant brain damage or even death. It is also ideal to wear knee and elbow pads to reduce your chances of breaking a bone. Some people feel that they look silly wearing protective gear, but how you feel you look matters far less than your ultimate safety.

Make Sure You Stand Out

You might think that simply by riding on an adult electric scooter you are sure to be seen, but that is not necessarily the case. You are going to be moving faster than pedestrians. You also will not stick out nearly as much as a vehicle would. To ensure that people driving and walking can see you it is best to wear bright colored clothing, or even better, a reflective vest. Being seen is a great way to reduce the chance that you or anyone else will be injured.

Pay Attention

Making sure that you are paying close attention to what is going on around you is one of the best ways to ensure your safety and the safety of others. Pay attention to the flow of traffic and turn signals before you cross any street. Also, take note of whether or not pedestrians are looking at you or possibly crossing your path. Always look ahead to places people could be exiting such as cars or businesses. The more attention you pay to your surroundings the better off you will be. Like using any other form of transportation, you absolutely should not use your phone while using your electric scooter as it will take your attention away from where you are going and leads to more mistakes in judgment.

Only Use Your Scooter Sober

Just like you would never drink alcohol and then drive a car or motorcycle, you should never use your electric scooter if your judgment is impaired. Even just a couple of drinks with dinner will reduce your ability to make quick judgments. It can also impact your balance, which naturally increases the chance that you will injure yourself or someone else. It is not worth the risk. Instead, walk your scooter to where you need to go or get a ride with someone that is sober. It is also best to not use your scooter if you are extremely tired or not feeling well. These will put you at risk of having an accident as you just are not in the best frame of mind. Always think of your safety and the safety of others before you decide to ride.

Keep Your Hands On The Handles

It can be tempting to stop for a quick cup of coffee and get back to riding, but that is a bad idea. Not having both of your hands on the handlebars at all times will reduce your control of the scooter. If you need to carry additional items make sure they are secured to you in a manner that allows your hands to focus completely on steering the scooter. You may think that you have great skill at riding with one hand, but if something unexpectedly crosses your path you will instantly see why it is critical that you are always using two hands to both steer and control the scooter.

Many people assume that they do not need to worry about their safety a great deal while riding an electric scooter. Leading to this belief could be due to the fact that it doesn’t go extremely fast or that it is typically not ridden in the street, but the fact is that your safety should be your number one concern. The last thing you want is to face a serious injury because you did not take the time to follow the tips listed above. Every time you go to ride your scooter you should think about this guide to ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable ride.

If you liked the article, please leave your feedback.

Recommended Reads