As a proud new owner of your Mearth foldable RS electric scooter, your excitement to use it soonest after practicing for days, and learning to ride has probably not ebbed. Eager and full of zest, you want to be out there, showing off your new mobile transport, and be one with the rest of the ‘freewheeling’ riders.
Wait, hold your ‘horses’ for a bit. Have you heard that haste can make waste? You’ve got to know how to avoid these common portable electric scooter riding mistakes. With the tips gathered, it should help you avoid mishaps as well.
A no-no that must not be ignored or disregarded. You see, riding a compact electric scooter is all about keeping everything smooth and steady. Stay calm and scoot away. Trip-ups can be avoided actually, so long as you follow this advice. Soon, you’ll learn to be a pro at scooting in no time at all.
- The throttle. Slowly press the throttle and do it evenly so you can remain in control of the scooter. If you push the throttle too hard and suddenly with a lot of pressure, it can make the scooter jump forward. Worst case scenario is that you might fall and lose control of the scooter.
- Brakes. Now, about the correct braking technique. Increase pressure on the brakes gradually as you feel the scooter slowing down. While you’re braking, lean back as if you’re about to sit down, then use your body weight to break effectively. Don’t make sudden brakes. Hitting the brakes too hard can also result in you losing control of the scooter and you, falling.
- Leaning too far. As you can probably guess, leaning too far on a scooter during a turn might end with a fall.
- Handlebars. Turning handlebars too far or too suddenly during a turn will make it difficult for you to shift your body weight while turning. So, avoid suddenly turning the handlebars when going fast. Slow and steady is key!
- Balancing. Did you know that it is easier to balance on a scooter as compared to a bicycle? On average, constant practice will make you feel comfortable and gain confidence soon, when you start riding a lightweight scooter within a couple of days at the maximum.
- Age requirements for one to be allowed to ride an e-scooter differs, varying across countries, and sometimes even cities.
- Can you ride an electric scooter in the rain? Even electric scooter manuals do not recommend riding in the rain or going in a puddle. You wouldn’t want to damage your precious e-scooter unnecessarily, would you?
- Familiar with a skateboard? Ride the electric scooter like a motorized skateboard – but with a handle.
- Be familiar with the sensitivity of your electric scooter’s acceleration and brakes.
- Do not grab, lean, and pull on the handlebar. This will only damage your folding electric scooter’s mechanism.
- Practice emergency braking. Be alert and ready to engage your brakes anytime.
- Always do basic maintenance – general, tires, brakes, and battery.
- Never treat your commuter electric scooter like an off-road machine. Follow what’s on the specifications.
- Do not drink and ride. You will be an accident waiting to happen.
- Do not text, check your mobile phone, or use your display while in motion.
- Wear appropriate clothes and gear when riding your electric scooter.
- Do not jump off of curbs.
- Do not do stunts or wheelies. Needless to say, it is dangerous and hazardous. You may be an accident waiting to happen.
- Ride and position your body properly. Use your feet and body weight to steer your electric scooter.
- Use the handlebar to turn the front wheel only. As the tires are small, steering with it alone is not sufficient.
- Keep a low stance and bend your knees slightly when going over any barrier.
- Stand near the back of the deck.
- Do not stand with your feet parallel to the deck. Use a “skateboard” style positioning for your feet.
- Turn properly, cautiously. Lean your body with the electric scooter as you turn.
- Use motorcycle cornering techniques like brake before a turn, release, then accelerate through the turn.
- Never forget to brake properly.
- Lean back when braking.
- For emergency brakes – use your hips to lean back and down.
- Familiar with counter-steering? Use counter-steering maneuvers.
- If you can’t stop in time before hitting a curb or obstacle, do an emergency brake.
- Don’t go at full speed unless you are very familiar with the terrain.
- Be careful when using regenerative brakes downhill. Some riders have reported that their electric scooters got bricked doing this.
- Watch for anything that can make your front tires slip – gravel, grass, pebbles, wet spots, uneven road surfaces, etc.
- Before heading out, remember to keep yourself updated with the latest news on e-scooter riding laws.
electric scooters australia are an enjoyable, climate-friendly, and affordable way to get around the city, and more. Don’t miss out on the fun!
And while electric scooters may look like toys ‘for the big boys’, when used for public transport they’re like any other vehicle. Practice constantly, be a responsible rider, and learn by heart these electric scooter riding tips and you’ll have a safe, smooth and enjoyable ride — wherever you go. Ride sensibly. It’s always, always safety over speed.
