8 of the Most Important Electric Scooter Safety Tips

Electric scooters are all the craze these days. More and more people have started using electric scooters, and this is one of the main reasons why it has become so popular: a kinder mode of transportation for Mother Earth.

However, as with all other machines, electric scooters need to be operated safely to prevent injuries. So, here are 8 essential electric scooter safety tips you need to be aware of before embarking on that shiny new gizmo of yours.

Read the manual

We know, we know. Reading the instruction manual can be pretty darn boring. It contains pages after pages of instruction, cautionary measures, and warnings, enough to make your head spin.

However, the importance of reading the instruction manual before operating your electric scooter cannot be understated. Going through the manual before making a purchase can help you choose the right electric scooter for you.

Additionally, that small, albeit dull pamphlet contains key information on keeping your bike in the best possible condition, and even important information to keep you safe and prevent serious injuries. Moreover, it includes instructions on how to set up your scooter correctly, which is crucial if you are a newbie.

So, make sure you read the whole manual and tuck it in a safe place for future reference. It might contain crucial scooter safety tips that may come in handy.

Always wear safety gear

Make sure that you wear safety gear before venturing out on your electric scooter. Many studies have shown that the head, arms, and legs of a rider are the most susceptible to injuries. Safety gear, such as gloves, footwear, eye protection and helmets can protect you if an accident or mishap occurs.

More importantly, a helmet can go a long way in protecting you from traumatic injuries. It can even protect you from sunlight and flying debris.

To provide you with the best protection, Smartwheel offers a wide range of helmets for all ages, including kids and adults. You can buy them here.

Ride solo

Electric scooters are designed to handle a single person. Always ride the scooter solo, as the scooter is designed to withhold a certain amount of weight. While it might be tempting to take your friend along for a ride too, doing so might make you lose your balance and result in injuries, and even cause damage to your scooter.

Read the instructions to know the maximum weight that your scooter can handle.

Familiarize yourself with local traffic rules

Familiarizing yourself with traffic rules in your locality is crucial. Local laws may differ from area to area, and hence you need to make sure that you know all the rules and regulations before riding your scooter. Certain rules are universal:

• Yielding to pedestrians and others already on the road.
• Riding in the same direction as the flow of traffic.
• Obeying traffic signs and signals
• Using hand signals
• Wearing a helmet

These rules are meant for your safety and the safety of others. Following the rules set by your local authority can prevent unwanted accidents to yourself and others. Additionally, you can avoid hefty fines and penalties, and prevent authorities from confiscating your scooter.

Don't ride your scooter while hooked to a car

While attaching yourself to a car and riding your scooter can make you Instagram/Tiktok famous, doing so can be extremely dangerous and may even result in serious injuries.

Your electric scooter is not meant to be used in such a fashion - holding on to a faster vehicle can result in damages and void in warranty. Additionally, such acts can attract legal penalties and fines. You might even put other pedestrians and other motorists in danger.

Don't ride a malfunctioning scooter

Never ride your electric scooter if it is not working properly. Riding a malfunctioning scooter has the potential to cause serious injuries. Electric scooters have batteries in them, and defective batteries are a fire hazard and can explode.

Making sure that your bike works properly is vital if you are using it on roads, as any malfunction near moving vehicles can result in severe injuries and even death. Additionally, not taking care of your bike can shorten its life span and may result in nullifying the warranty.

If your scooter isn't working, make sure you reach out to an authorized service centre at the earliest. Do not attempt to repair it yourself if you are not familiar with the specifics of the scooter.

Refrain from performing stunts

Refrain from performing stunts with your electric scooter. Your electric scooter isn't built to handle such manoeuvres and can break or get damaged. Scooters are generally expensive, and using them recklessly can cause irreversible damage, to the point that it can no longer be used. More importantly, performing stunts can lead to serious injuries both for the rider and other pedestrians.

Also, do not treat your scooter like a toy - it isn't one. Make sure you know how to ride correctly before using your scooter near traffic. Teach your kids how to ride properly before letting them ride on their own, and infuse in them a sense of responsibility.

Familiarize yourself with your scooter’s wiring

Your electric scooter contains a plethora of electrical wiring and connections, and each plays an instrumental role. Familiarizing yourself with these wiring can help you fix issues that may arise while riding. Know the whereabouts of the accelerator and brake wiring, and wiring related to lights.

However, make sure you know what you are doing before trying to fix issues, as fixing wires haphazardly can result in an electric shock or even serious injuries. Refer the instruction manual that came along with your scooter for the specifics regarding wiring and other technical details.

SmartWheel offers a wide range of electric scooters for all ages. If you do not own one, head to their website to get a scooter tailor-made for you.