Electric Scooters

Here’s everything you need to know to get started with electric scooters, along with a sampling of some of the best options on the market.

Electric Scooters – A Buying Guide

Electric scooters that were once considered a niche mode of transportation are now ubiquitous in the form of services like Bird and Lime, which has led some people to consider buying their own electric scooter. An electric scooter makes sense, what to look for and what to look for when buying, such as maintenance and legality.

First of all, what is an electric scooter?
Scooters come in two main variations.

The first is a seated style best exemplified by something like the Vespa Elettrica or the Ninebot eScooter E200P. Electric sit-down scooters are basically low-powered motorcycles – you probably won’t be able to take them with you on the highway or out of town, but they’re great city commuters. Depending on the performance specifications, you may need to be insured and licensed to drive one and of course the area in which you live. Here is a selection of the best electric seat scooters (also known as mopeds) you can get.

The type of scooter that companies like Lime rent is a stand-up scooter, also known as a foldable scooter or scooter, although only certain models require a kick to start. Electric scooters can often be more convenient than seated scooters. While they may need accessories for storage, the ability to bend the rod means they can fit into tight spaces like public transport or the trunk of a car. Park sidewalks and pathways in some cases and some of the more rugged patterns may stray from the street.

lines may be blurry. Some standing models have optional seats, and standing models sometimes look more like mopeds or e-bikes than Vespas.

Should I buy an electric scooter?
Before deciding which scooter to use compared to other modes of transportation, there are several factors you need to consider. The first is the weather: although some scooters work in snow, you will need to adjust your speed, clothing, and gear, such as B. changing / off-road tires. Even then, it can be risky, and some conditions just do not allow cycling; You won’t get anywhere in half a yard of snow. Skateboarding is only really suitable when the sky is clear or it rains lightly. Depending on the model, this may be necessary. Provide additional weather protection to protect the battery and circuitry.

Conditions also include roads and traffic. While many scooters can handle cracks and potholes, few are capable of reaching highway speeds, and even then the roads aren’t the safest place. or a motorcycle when driving on the road is absolutely necessary. Some people don’t feel comfortable in heavy traffic, and of course, lighter scooters are only intended for sidewalks, park alleys, and bike lanes.

Legality is an important factor. While seat scooters are generally legal around the world, many governments have yet to recognize the potential of standing models, often resulting in scattered or bogus laws. Street but others are notoriously harsh, such as London, where people’s walks are regularly confiscated. However, other places prevent you from walking on streets or sidewalks. If you move abroad and bring a scooter with you, you may be required to register and insure it, even if it was not bureaucratic before. Electric bikes and motorcycles tend to be better due to features like bigger pedals and / or batteries.

If all you want to do is have fun, things open up a lot because scooters have almost no learning curve. But even then, you have to be prepared for the fact that the high-end models are big and heavy, making it difficult to get home when skateboards and electric unicycles are superior when you need maximum mobility. and that the learning time can allow you to use them. The speed and ability to negotiate rough terrain.