Avoid Electric Scooter Accidents With These Tips

1. Avoid Electric Scooter Accidents With These Tips Electric scooters have become one of the most convenient alternative transportation for major cities across the world due to its portability and affordability. Moreover, modern power solutions enable electric scooters to be charged with renewable energy sources making it also a sustainable transportation. However, although electric scooters provide convenient transport, it poses safety risks. If riders don’t drive scooters properly and safely, they could incur serious injury. To avoid any accidents, inconveniences, and injury, keep the following tips in mind when riding electric scooters. Inspect your scooter’s condition Before you head out, always check your electric scooter’s condition. In fact, it’s best to do a regular weekly inspection to ensure that your electric scooter is always in the right condition. Electric scooters don’t need a lot of maintenance, but this is good practice to prolong an e-scooter’s lifespan. When checking your electric scooter, keep an eye on these parts: ● Brake, accelerator, and front light ● Battery charge ● Tire pressure and tire condition ● Secure stem latch ● Charging ports and rubber caps Check on all vital parts and take them for a test drive to make sure every part functions perfectly. Wear proper riding gear If an electric scooter is prone to safety risks, you might be wondering “Are electric scooters safer than bikes?” Both electric scooter and bike can actually cause fatal injuries, but these can be avoided if riders wear proper riding gear. Just wearing a helmet can already save you from any fatal injury, especially on your head. Aside from a helmet, wear elbow and knee pads, and gloves to protect these parts from bruises or scrapes in case of falling. Wearing or installing reflectors on your e-scooter also help you see and be seen while travelling at night.

2. Keep your eyes on the road This may seem common sense, but once you’re riding your electric scooter, feeling the wind, enjoying the speed, and looking at the view, it’s very easy to get distracted and look away. Although this is a natural thing, practice focusing on your surroundings to avoid any collisions with items or people. Since most electric scooters are ridden in urban areas with narrow streets, more vehicles, and a dense population, riders should be more careful when riding on paths or sidewalks. For one, when you need to look behind to check for incoming vehicles, remember to slow down first before you look back to avoid any hard collisions with objects or people as you turn around to look. Ultimately, be mindful of your surroundings, drive carefully, and always look ahead. Follow the maximum speed allowed When riding in public spaces, always know the maximum allowable speed that you can run. In Australia, this varies depending on your state’s e-scooter laws. For example, you can only ride a maximum speed of 10 kph in Queensland. In most states, the top speed is an average of 24 kph. Following the speed limit not only prevents any accident but also keeps you from breaking the law. Stay calm Whether you’re riding on a slippery path, a rough terrain, or a busy sidewalk, always keep calm when riding your electric scooter. After all, you could easily enjoy or get excited from riding, especially if you’re running at a fast speed. Although the perks of riding an electric scooter include enjoyment, too much excitement could lose our focus or our balance and end up hurting ourselves or others. It’s not bad to enjoy yourselves while riding an e-scooter, but as previously mentioned, always keep your eyes on the road and be mindful of your area. Don’t ride in tandem Although electric scooters can only accommodate one person per ride, a UCLA study found that some people ride together in a single electric scooter. Given an e-scooter’s size, an e-scooter should not be ridden by two people. Don’t even attempt to fit two people in one electric scooter, even if and especially if it is a child. Moreover, most electric scooters can support up to 220 lbs. Riding in tandem will not only break your electric scooter but also put you in danger.

3. Don’t ride in bad conditions There are affordable and durable electric scooters that can withstand bad weather but don’t even try riding in harsh conditions even if your e-scooter can handle it. Unlike cars, electric scooters offer no protection during a storm, so the chance of getting hit by flying objects because of strong winds is likely. Moreover, little visibility on the road makes it difficult and risky to travel, so it’s best to stay home, wait until the weather calms before riding your e-scooter again, or try alternate transportation. Lastly, riders should never ride their e-scooter when under the influence. Ultimately, if the environment is bad or if you’re in a bad condition, don’t ride your electric scooter to avoid any risks or accidents. Prevention is key to a safe and fun ride Whenever you ride your electric scooter, always keep in mind that safety should be a priority. Be mindful of how and where you drive. Keep these tips in mind and practice them before riding your electric scooter and during your ride. Following these tips will help you avoid electric scooter accidents and enjoy your ride.