Electric scooters have become extremely popular, and you may have been wondering whether to invest in one of your own. Eco-friendly, convenient and affordable, some believe that e-scooters could be the solution to modern transport problems.
An e-scooter is a surprisingly affordable investment, but it’s important to check out the facts before you make the investment. Below you’ll find a guide with all the things to know before buying an electric scooter.
Is It Hard To Learn To Ride An E-Scooter?
If you’ve struggled to ride a bike you might have written off the idea of scooters too, but they are very different. A scooter is very simple to learn to ride, even if you’re a complete beginner.
To move off on a scooter, you stand with one foot on the deck and you push off the ground with the other foot. Once the scooter is moving the motor can kick in and take over. You can then put your other foot on the deck too; all that’s left is to control your speed using the throttle and the handlebars to manoeuvre in the direction you want.
Electric scooters can be used by adults of all ages, and there is a wide range of models available to suit everyone from beginners to more advanced riders.
What Should I Look For When Buying An Electric Scooter?
There are some very long electric scooter buying guides which run through every tiny detail that you might find. However, this can be quite overwhelming if you’re new to e-scooters so you can just stick to the basics that you need to know:
Weight
Some scooters are particularly lightweight which makes them more suitable for commuting or travelling on public transport with. Most scooters are foldable but this is particularly the case with lightweight designs.
Price
There are some fantastic budget scooters which have a surprisingly long list of features and offer a comfortable, smooth ride. However, if you have cash to splash there are many top end designs which offer luxury on your e-scooter.
Tyres
You will find there are two different types of tyres available on electric scooters: rubber and pneumatic. The latter tend to provide a smoother, more comfortable ride but as they can puncture they require more maintenance than the solid, rubber tyres.
Brakes
There are three main types of brakes that are used in electric scooters: electric, disc/drum and foot brakes. Each has its pros and cons. Electric brakes are easy to maintain but less effective, especially at higher speeds. Drum/disc brakes have excellent performance, even in wet conditions and are fairly low maintenance.
The downside of drum/disc brakes is that they will wear out more quickly and will need replacing. Foot brakes have excellent stopping power but require a good technique and the “stop” isn’t quite as comfortable.
Climbing ability and terrain
If you only plan on using your e-scooter on flat, smooth ground then you might not need to worry too much about the terrain and hill-climbing ability. However, if your planned journey involves inclines or uneven terrain you’ll need to check the capability of the scooter.
There are some which are better suited to uneven terrains, and have suspensions to ensure that the ride remains smooth. Others have a good motor that’s capable of handling tougher inclines without burning out.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of An Electric Scooter?
Now you know what to look for in an electric scooter buying guide, here’s a few of the main pros and cons of owning an e-scooter:
Pros
- Convenient
- Affordable
- Easy to use
- Eco-friendly
- Versatile
- Low maintenance
Cons
- Not road-legal yet (other than pilot rental schemes)
- Scooters aren’t waterproof
- Mileage range is limited
So as you can see, there are many more pros than cons when it comes to riding a scooter, so if you have a short commute and are looking to cut down on using your car or public transport, an e-scooter may be the best solution.
