Electric scooters have exploded in popularity over recent years as an eco-friendly and convenient form of urban transportation. An estimated 40-50 million e-scooters are being used worldwide as of 2022, with ridership numbers growing every year. While e-scooters provide an affordable and efficient way to commute short distances, they also introduce new road safety concerns that both riders and local municipalities must address. Without proper safety awareness and infrastructure, electric scooter accidents can, and do, happen at an alarming rate.
As an electric scooter commuter, it’s critical that you educate yourself and follow key safety tips to stay incident-free on your daily journeys. This comprehensive guide outlines the top five safety considerations all e-scooter riders should keep in mind before hitting the roads.
Overview of Key E-Scooter Safety Concerns
Before diving into specific safety tips, it’s helpful to understand the primary incident causes impacting electric scooter riders:
- Collisions: E-scooter collisions with vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and fixed objects remain the predominant incident type. Most collisions occur due to e-scooters operating in vehicle lanes and lack of infrastructure.
- Falls: Loss of balance and stability is the leading cause of falls. Contributing factors include excessive speed, abrupt braking or acceleration, poor surface conditions and impaired riding ability.
- Mechanical issues: Equipment faults, especially with brakes, throttles and batteries, can create dangerous situations. Lack of maintenance heightens mechanical failure risks.
- Traffic violations: Disobeying traffic laws and unsafe riding behaviors, like sidewalk riding and crowded intersection crossings, are major risk factors.
- Impaired riding: Riding while intoxicated or distracted puts e-scooter riders at extreme risk of accidents and injuries.
- Lack of safety gear: Failure to wear protective equipment like helmets leaves riders severely vulnerable when accidents occur.
With sound understanding of these hazards in mind, let’s explore the five best practices that all electric scooter commuters should adopt.
1. Always Wear Protective Gear
Wearing a helmet and other protective equipment should be every e-scooter rider’s top priority for accident prevention and injury minimization.
Why Gear Matters
- Helmets reduce risk of severe head injuries by 69% in e-scooter crashes
- Wrist guards prevent against most common injury: broken wrists
- Knee/elbow pads shield against road rash & tissue damage
- Proper shoes improve stability & prevent foot injuries
- Visibility gear alerts vehicles & others
Key Gear Recommendations
Helmets
- Purpose-built for e-scooters (NOT bike helmets)
- Lightweight & ventilated but tough shell
- Certified to meet safety standards
- Full head coverage with visor
- High visibility colors
Other Essentials
- Wrist guards with rigid splints
- Reinforced knee & elbow pads
- Sturdy, closed-toe shoes
- Reflectors & bright clothing
- Eye protection (day & night)
When to Replace Gear
As safety gear sustains impacts and damage over time, be sure to:
- Inspect equipment before/after each ride
- Replace helmets after any major impact
- Upgrade pads/guards at first signs of wear
- Check certifications are current
Wearing the right protective gear every ride eliminates excuses for unsafe riding later on. Gear up properly before hitting start!
2. Learn Rules of the Road
Many electric scooter accidents result from improper riding behaviors and lack of understanding right-of-way rules. Learn the legal riding requirements and traffic laws governing where you live.
Common Traffic Laws
Though regulations vary somewhat city-by-city, some typical traffic laws include:
Riding bans:
- No sidewalk, pedestrian or trail riding
- Off-limits areas like highways & bridges
Speed limits:
- 15-20 mph limits on roads & bike lanes
- Lower limits in pedestrian zones
Parking restrictions:
- No blocking walkways, doorways or streets
- Use designated parking areas only
Night riding limitations:
- Reflectors/lights required after dusk
- Banned completely in some cities
Minimum rider ages:
- 16-18+ years old depending on location
Licensing, Registration & Insurance
While currently rare in the U.S., many global jurisdictions require some form of:
- E-scooter operator’s license/training
- Vehicle registration plates
- Liability insurance policies
To avoid fines or impounding, know your regional/city guidelines.
Safe Operating Rules
Beyond laws, follow these core safety rules whenever riding:
- Stay sober – never drink alcohol or use drugs
- Maintain moderate speeds ~12 mph
- Yield to pedestrians & bicyclists
- Use hand turn signals when changing direction
- Stop fully at traffic lights & signs
- Pull over safely before using phone
Practice legal, courteous riding to avoid preventable incidents.
3. Master Control & Stability Skills
Developing strong vehicle balance and control is a pivotal safe riding skill that dramatically reduces fall-related risks.
Key Techniques to Master
Mounting/Dismounting
- Step on centered & bend knees for stability
- Dismount to very low-speed or full stop
- Practice a controlled kickstand dismount
Acceleration & Braking
- Accelerate gently & evenly over 10+ seconds
- Slow early & gradually when stopping
- Use back foot brake gradually to prevent falls
Cornering & Turning
- Lean bike-style into turns without sharp steering
- Use wide arcs & reduce speed for stability
- Activate turn signals before changing direction
Bumpy Terrain
- Absorb bumps by lifting knees slightly
- Slow down & proceed cautiously over hazards
- Report major road defects to authorities
Wet/Icy Surfaces
- Reduce speeds ~50% vs normal conditions
- Brake gradually to avoid skidding
- Stay off roads with snow, ice or flooding
Tips to Improve Stability
Stance: Plant feet shoulder-width on deck
Vision: Look well ahead of front wheel
Relax: Loosen limbs to absorb shocks
PPE: Wear shoes with strong traction
Master foundation stability skills before carrying bags or passengers!
4. Perform Safety Checks & Maintenance
Conducting consistent pre-ride inspections and ongoing maintenance vastly reduces mechanical issues that can quickly turn hazardous.
Do’s & Don’ts of DIY Care
DO perform these tasks yourself:
- Inspect tires, brakes & lights before each use
- Check/refasten loose screws, bolts & parts
- Inflate tires to PSI levels stamped on wheels
- Clean deck & apply protectants monthly
- Check app for system diagnostic alerts
- Review manufacturer manuals
DON’T try DIY repairs on:
- Motors, controllers or batteries
- Advanced brake calipers or lines
- Structural frame damage or cracks
- Steering column/alignment issues
- Major wheel damage or buckling
Seeking early professional help for major issues prevents breakdowns mid-ride!
Define a Care Schedule
Beyond pre-ride checks, establish a periodic maintenance routine:
Every 100 miles:
- Deep clean the entire scooter
- Inspect pads & tires for wear
- Check brake & accelerator function
Every 6 months:
- Test & recharge batteries
- Assess general wear & tear
- Check bolts & structural integrity
- Confirm no leaks in brake lines
Annual comprehensive:
- Full systems & safety review
- Diagnostic computer scan as applicable
- Wheel alignment assessment
- Brake pad replacement as needed
Follow your scooter manual and monitor use patterns to refine a customized schedule. Don’t cut corners on critical upkeep!
5. Choose Safety Over Convenience
When rushing or taking routes based on convenience alone, it’s easy to let good judgement slide. But regularly prioritizing safety best practices over saving a few minutes or minor hassles is what keeps electric scooter commuting both enjoyable and incident-free.
Prime Examples
Helmets
Leaving your helmet behind because you’re running late for work or don’t want hat hair only puts you at grave risk later on. Always wear one, no exceptions.
Phone Use
Checking notifications while in motion or holding your phone mid-ride seems harmless but can easily cause disastrous falls. Always pull safely aside first.
Peer Pressure
Friends coaxing you to speed, pull stunts or drink and ride may offer a thrill but significantly endanger you and others. Politely decline unsafe peer pressure.
Quickest Routes
Opting for busier vehicle lanes over side streets or bike lanes to shave a minute or two off travel introduces unnecessary risk. Favor safety first.
Parking
Improper electric scooter parking like blocking disability access or forcing pedestrians briefly into vehicle lanes for navigation convenience should always be avoided.
In each scenario above, take an extra moment to make choices centered on safety rather than rushing. Small daily time investments pay back tenfold over the long run by preventing accidents.
Making Safety Second Nature
After enough repetition, safe riding habits come automatically without requiring active thought or choice. To expedite forming life-saving reflexes:
- Start every trip with a verbal safety checklist
- Debrief after rides on what went well and any near misses
- Review incident stats often to reinforce hazards
- Share lessons & tips with other riders in your area
- Call out unsafe behaviors amongst friends/family immediately
By genuinely embracing safety as your top priority every time you ride, vigilance becomes ingrained. Help make your local community’s streets safer for all road users through your own behaviors and advocacy!
Key Takeaways
- Wear protective gear, especially helmets, to prevent severe injuries
- Follow all regional traffic and riding laws to avoid fines or impounding
- Master fundamental stability skills like safe braking, turning and bump navigation
- Perform consistent maintenance and pre-ride safety checks to identify issues early
- Prioritize best safety practices over convenience or peer pressure
Committing these essential tips to memory and applying them through regular riding habits is guaranteed to minimize your incident risk.
While electric scooters introduce complex new road and infrastructure safety challenges, riders also have a duty to inform themselves, control their choices and ride responsibly with others in mind.
Stay safe out there on your sustainable commutes!