Electric scooters open a world of possibilities for their riders. Whether it’s morning commutes, rides to class, or weekend adventures, eScooters have the ability to power all sorts of journeys. But for newer riders, it’s important to know certain key tips and guidelines that will help keep you and your scooter safe and ready to ride. That’s why today, we’re going over 5 mistakes every first-time rider should avoid to make their most of their eScooter rides.
1. Not Wearing a Helmet
One of the most common errors newer riders make is not wearing a helmet. eScooters are fast rides, and taking a spill at such high speeds poses a real risk of injury without proper protection. Most of our electric scooters have a max speed between 15.5 MPH to 20 MPH, but some even go as high as 38 MPH. At speeds like these, you want to make sure you’re outfitting yourself with the proper protective gear. Even at lower speeds, a fall could cause a serious injury, so protective gear is vital to making sure that any accidents you might have cause as little damage as possible.
At minimum, we recommend wearing a helmet, which helps prevent serious head injuries in case you fall and hit your head at any point during a ride. Knee and elbow pads are also a great choice, as they help protect your joints from the impact of falls and collisions.
2. Storing Your Electric Scooter Outside
The outdoors are not always kind to eScooters. Extreme temperatures, moisture, and the elements can cause damage to your scooter, especially its electronic components. The battery is the biggest concern, as a damaged battery often leads to an unusable scooter. Ideally, you should store your scooter in a cool, moderate climate indoors.
It can be okay to store your electric scooter in a garage, but make sure to keep an eye on the temperature. In the case of cold spells, heat waves, and other hazardous conditions, be sure to bring your e-scooter inside to protect it from damage.
3. Riding Recklessly
Reckless riding poses a serious risk of injuring yourself, a pedestrian, or another rider. It’s important to stop for stop signs and red lights; by riding safely and predictably, you can more easily avoid a collision or fall.
In addition, try to avoid taking your scooter off curbs, jumps, and other drops. Most eScooters aren’t designed for stunt work, and excessive force during impact runs the risk of damaging the tiller and straining the rims of your eScooter. If you want to keep yourself and your scooter in the best shape, take it easy and be careful when you ride.
4. Overcharging/Charging your Electric Scooter Overnight
It’s important to charge your eScooter for the correct amount of time. Follow the charging instructions and charge time in your user manual. Don't charge your battery overnight, as this can decrease the battery's lifespan. If you don't use your electric scooter for prolonged periods of time, like in the winter, we still recommend charging it every other week and powering it on to help preserve the battery.
5. Not Asking for Help
The most common mistake adult electric scooter riders make is not asking for help. GOTRAX is here to assist our riders in any way we can. Our Customer Support Team is online Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CST to answer any questions you may have and help you find a solution to any problems you may encounter.
No matter where or what you ride, remember to stay safe, follow the rules of the road, and always wear a helmet!
