Electric scooters are quite popular these days and many people are learning how to ride them. While riding them isn’t rocket science, it may pose some difficulties for beginners. This is especially true if you have never ridden a regular scooter before. It takes some practice before you can navigate, control, and grip such vehicles.
Since it takes skills to maneuver an electric scooter bike, it's good to know a thing or two about it beforehand. Once you learn the basics, riding it would feel like a breeze. Here are some tips to help you get started.
1. Find A Practice Spot
If you are a novice rider, you shouldn’t ride your scooter on a busy street. Search for a suitable location where there is ample space and very little traffic. Back roads and parking lots are your best bet. As a beginner, you are prone to making mistakes. As such, you don’t want other vehicles impeding your movement.
Unless you’ve mastered the technique, you shouldn’t ride on uneven terrains or bike lanes. Doing so might lead you to doubt your skills. While practicing on a fat tire electric scooter for the first time, you don’t want this to happen.
2. Get Started
First, you need to unlock the vehicle by flipping the latch underneath the steering column. This will make the scooter upright and allow you to power it up. Before pressing the ‘on’ switch, make sure your strongest leg is on the deck. Use the throttle to control your speed and the handlebars to change directions.
To slow down, engage the handbrake. However, do not apply too much pressure as it may cause you to lose balance. Alternatively, you can use the foot brake on your electric kick scooter to bring the vehicle to a slow stop. To save battery life, you should power the bike off upon reaching your destination.
3. Wear Safety Equipment
It is important to wear proper clothing before hitting the road with your electric scooter bike. When you hear safety equipment, the helmet is the first thing that comes to mind. However, it is not enough to protect your head alone. You should make sure your arms and legs are adequately protected as well.
For beginners, and especially children, it is important to wear elbow and knee pads. It is normal to experience a fall on your first ride. These will shield the most vulnerable parts of your body from impact, thus minimizing the damage.
4. Control The Speed
The fastest electric scooter can go up to 60-75 mph. However, you should not try to reach the top speed during the learning stage. You might be wondering “Do I need insurance to ride an electric scooter?" Well, you won't need any provided you don't take unnecessary risks. Unless you are an expert at braking and riding, you shouldn't accelerate too much.
You can use the handlebars to turn at low speeds. It is not easy to maintain balance at higher velocities. Thus, you should keep the handlebar straight and shift your weight to steer the vehicle. Learning how to adjust your weight will take a fair bit of practice.
5. Learn Braking Techniques
It is important to get comfortable with the braking power of your vehicle. Crouch a little and transfer your weight to your rear leg when slowing hard. Do not brake hard while making a turn as this can lead to an accident. Make sure your bike is straight before engaging the handbrakes.
Moreover, you must ensure that the rear wheel is almost skidding. This will allow you to get maximum power out of the brake. Some scooters come with disc brakes that are quite powerful. As such, grabbing the handlebars too tightly might cause the front wheel to skid. It can throw you off balance and cause a disaster.
6. Keep An Eye On The Battery Life And The Mileage
You should monitor the mileage closely while riding an electric scooter bike. Once the vehicle approaches the limit, you’ll get a notification on the LED display. This is an indication that you need to charge its battery before you can go any further.
Before you go out for a ride, make sure there is enough charge on the battery. If you need to travel long distances, it is best to keep a portable charger handy. After all, you don’t want your vehicle to stop moving in the middle of the road.
7. Learn How To Cross Obstacles
Even the smallest obstacles can unbalance your bike if you’re not careful. To cross one gently, you need to shift your weight to the rear wheel. You can slightly pull the handlebars to raise the front wheel.
Remember, you shouldn’t lift it too much or take the entire weight off it. With some practice, you can prevent it from leaving the ground. Your main objective is to reduce weight on the front wheel. This makes it easier for the bike to roll over the obstacle.
8. Consider The Riding Conditions
Avoid riding your vehicle in the rain. Wet roads may cause the wheels to skid, thus leading to accidents. If possible, don’t ride during the night. While some scooters come with tail and front headlights, they provide limited vision at higher speeds. You might not notice other vehicles approaching you.
These bikes are designed for smooth surfaces. If you face a bumpy road or one full of potholes, it is best to get off and walk. Additionally, you should avoid riding up steep slopes. However, there are some models that can handle sharp inclines.
Final Words
Now you know the basics of riding an electric scooter bike, you can get started immediately. These vehicles are eco-friendly and perfect for traveling short distances. Pay attention to safety and don't try to pull off advanced maneuvers in the beginning. With experience, you can safely commute in traffic as well.
These days, you can find an electric scooter for sale at affordable rates. You need to make sure you get enough time for practice, so there is no point in delaying. Beginners should practice, gain confidence, and wear a helmet before they ride in mixed traffic. So, buy your e-scooter today and get riding!