Originally designed for kids, electric scooters have become popular with everyone, young and old alike, and are becoming a common sight on the roads worldwide. They have been added to the growing list of popular micro-mobility options popular as a form of green transportation that allows for social distancing whilst reducing your carbon footprint. They propel you along with minimal effort and maximum efficiency whilst being extremely easy and fun to use.
Take a look at our Electric Scooter Complete Buyer’s Guide and some of the reasons that this convenient form of transportation has become so popular.
They Are Convenient for Short Distances in Town
People spend a lot of time running errands and taking short trips around town. It is easier than taking public transportation, and it is greener than using your car. People love to use electric scooters in situations where they are travelling further than they want to walk, but not far enough to require the use of a vehicle.
They Are Lightweight and Portable
When people need to take public transportation or drive, they often still have a distance to go on foot. The electric scooter can make this part of the trip faster and easier. You can ride your scooter the last leg of your trip to avoid being late for work, meetings and appointments. Many electric scooters are lightweight and can fold up, making it easy to carry them on public transportation or into the office.
They Are Environmentally Friendly
Electric scooters offer people a greener form of transportation. They don’t use fossil fuels, and they have a low carbon footprint. People feel good about doing their part to benefit the environment.
What should you look for in an Electric Scooter?
When you are choosing your electric scooter, there are several factors you should look at. You should expect to pay more for an electric scooter than you would for a push scooter, but the final price will depend on the other features, such as the range, brakes, tyres, top speed, weight, and more. Take a look at the following features:
Range: The range is dependent on the capacity of your scooter’s battery. This number tells you how far you can go on each charge, and this is important because you need to know if you can make it to your destination. When you select an electric scooter, you need to know how far you plan to go before you have to charge it again. If you plan to travel further distances or on hillsides, you will want a more powerful battery.
Size and Weight: Electric scooters were originally designed for use by kids, but now come in adult sizes. It is important to get the best size for you to stand on the scooter comfortably. Your weight also plays a role, as heavier people will want a stronger motor, whereas children and adults who weigh less can use a scooter with a smaller motor. If you plan to carry your scooter any distance, the scooter’s weight will matter, so you should consider this feature.
Motor Power: You also need to decide what kind of motor power you need. If you plan to ride the scooter on uneven terrain, you will need a more powerful motor. Also, heavier people will want a more powerful motor. If you want the scooter to go faster, you will want to choose a scooter with a larger motor. This is an important feature to consider.
What about safety?
Studies show that electric scooter accidents are rising, so you will want to look at safety features. The suspension, brakes, wheels and tyres all play a role in how safe the scooter is.
Suspension: The suspension provides cushioning when you go over bumps and other obstacles on the road. Consider the suspension to bolster the scooter’s safety, especially if you plan to ride it off-road.
Brakes: Electric scooters can have electric brakes, which do not stop as easily. Disc or drum brakes are ideal, but they can wear out and need to be replaced when they do. If you have a foot brake, you need to step on the rear mudguard, which requires practice and isn’t always easy.
Wheels: Most electric scooter wheels are made of solid urethane or aluminium alloy. There are different styles, including spokes, rims, and more.
Tyres: You can get big, chunky off-road tyres or smaller tyres designed for the street. Air-filled tyres can be prone to getting punctures or flats, so you might want to consider a suspension set up to provide additional cushioning. They can also come with airless tyres, which work best on flat paved surfaces.
Final Thoughts
If you are in the market for an electric scooter, you should look for one with the features that will work best for your needs. You need to know how you plan to use the scooter ahead of time to look for the ideal features. It is important to consider the speed, motor power, along with its size and weight. Also, it would help if you looked at the wheels, tyres, and suspension. If you plan to go off-road, you will want greater suspension and bigger tyres, whereas you can use smaller air tyres on paved roads.
It would be best if you also considered a scooter with lights and an LED display that tells you your speed, your battery life, along with other information you might want to know. So bear all of these features in mind when you come to choosing your electric scooter.