How to Ride an Electric Scooter: All You Need to Know

Electric scooters have gained immense popularity for their ability to provide you with a pleasant and challenging athletic activity. However, many beginners who have just bought electric bikes often worry about whether they will be able to ride these scooters. Well, the simple answer to this question is yes as all it takes is strength, patience, and practice that can help you in building muscle memory and confidence.

So, if you are in the process of learning how to ride an electric scooter, don’t worry and don’t panic. There are just some simple steps like balancing the ride, managing your weight, using proper safety gear, and taking smaller steps in the way. If you are still confused and don’t know where to proceed, don’t worry as this comprehensive guide on tips and tricks is based on my learning experience and can help you along the way. So, don’t waste more time, and let’s get in for more.

Things You Know Before Starting to Ride the Electric Scooter

Always Prioritize the Safety

First of all, it is absolutely important to maintain the overall security of the process. I cannot even imagine how people can ride a bike without using any protective gear as it is absolutely significant. Not using a helmet or knee pad can lead to potential injuries and much damage. It is important to note that a decently powered bike works at 15 mph which is quite fast and can have stability issues, specifically for beginners. Hence, I would say using the safety gear is an absolute must-have.

Similarly, when it comes to a complete set of safety equipment, I would recommend you to go for e-scooters that come with accessories otherwise, you will have to invest a significant amount. For this purpose, it is ideal to use gloves as they can not only help you protect your hand but also provide you with firm support. In addition, go for knee and elbow pads as they can save you from potential injuries from falling on the hard ground.

Choose an Open and Safe Space for Riding

The second thing you should do is choose a safe place where you will be riding. For instance, if you live somewhere near a cycling track, you can always use this venue for riding e-scooters. Just make sure there are no cars or any sort of traffic in the area where you will be practicing it. I usually prefer using parking lots for these scooters as they are usually safe from the outside traffic and provide you with a hard surface to practice your riding on.

Get Familiar with the Scooter

It is equally important to have checked your scooter whether you are comfortable with it or what sort of controls it uses. Here, I would recommend you to look into every single thing, including the accelerator, brakes, horns, indicator light, battery, and much more. It is also ideal that you test the scooter in a safe parking lot for some time and make sure you feel comfortable with it. In addition, make sure that you know how to lock the frame and can apply the brake at the right time.

Set Your Preferences Right

If you are a beginner, it is important to check the controls and adjustments right. Here are some basic things you need to look into before riding the scooter;

• Make sure the tires are in good health and have perfect pressure. It must be hard and stiff from the outside.
• Also, go for the scooters that have adjustable locks.
• Always make sure the brakes are adjusted properly as per your speed limit.
• In addition, make sure the scooter is not making any loud noises or there are no scratches on the scooter.
• Similarly, it is important to charge the battery to 100%. Also, never empty or drain out the battery before charging it.
• Always carry a toolbox to accommodate some repairing tasks.
• Make sure you are wearing safety gear to prevent shock from potential injuries.

Prefer Riding with the Partner

If you are a newcomer and are in the process of practicing your riding, I would advise you to always ride with a partner as it can help you in getting the needed guidance. It is also ideal to go for a partner who has extensive knowledge of the subject. It is important to note that there is always something new you can learn to make the experience better. Having a rider friend with you can provide you with practical experience on the surface. Here, it is also significant to know the traffic rules if you are riding outside.

Always Go Slow and Gradually Gain the Momentum

If you have just started riding an electric scooter, always keep in mind that the key is to keep it slow and steady. After this, you will have to gain the acceleration gradually by pushing the throttle. Before riding it, make sure you have tested it out in a safe place in small intervals as it will prevent you from falling and practicing stability. I would also recommend you go for a wide wheelbase as it can help you gain absolute control over the ride.

Roll Over the Hurdles Perpendicularly

It is equally significant to know how you can avoid obstacles. This can help you in preventing potential accidents or injuries to a great extent. However, it can be challenging as scooters generally come with small tires and holes that are prone to getting mud and debris into the tires. Hence, it is important to use them on smooth surfaces and you must be aware of any obstacle that is present along the way. However, with this, it is equally important to keep the traffic in check as you don’t want any mishaps on the way.

At the same time, it is significant to note that you can not always avoid them, rather you will have to overcome them. Hence, when it is time to roll your scooter over these obstacles. For this purpose, I would advise you to put all your weight on the rear wheel of the scooter and press the front wheel with your body, with the help of the handles. Here, make sure that the front wheel is light yet is not absolutely free as it can eventually result in you falling down on the ground.

Keep Your Weight Proportionate

When you are applying the brakes, it is important that you bend your knees downward and make a position as if you are sitting down on the chair. This is because the pressure comes from your own body and not having a proper posture can make it hard to stop the bike or even can lead to accidents and potential injuries. Hence, for this purpose, it is important to have all your weight pointing downward as it can lock the bike easily. It can also help you in putting suitable pressure on stopping the bike.

Maximize the Scooter Range

Now that you know most of the techniques for keeping the scooter stable and balanced, it is time for you to maximize the range. For this, you will need little energy and some simple tricks that can help you along the way;

• First of all, always make sure you kick-start the scooter. This is because the motor uses the maximum amount of energy while it is starting and kick-starting can help you gain momentum gradually yet efficiently.
• Similarly, it is important to gain speed as the time is proceeding slowly. This is because more acceleration suddenly would mean more power consumption and more torque, needless to say, can lead you to potential accidents.
• If you are using the scooter in windy areas, it is ideal that you maintain a slow speed throughout the ride. This is because a high-speed range will mean more resistance to the wind and eventually, will consume more than usual power and energy.
• It is equally important to inflate the tires to a suitable pressure. This is absolutely important to reduce the rolling resistance as low pressure in the tire can result in a risk of flat tires and potential accidents.
• Always prefer riding in warm weather. However, it is not in your control but the batteries work fine in warm temperatures and can easily lose their charging in colder conditions. So, make sure the temperature is at least below 20 degrees celsius or 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Practice Again and Again

The key to gaining confidence is to practice again and again until you master the skill of riding an electric bike with balance and stability. This can help your muscle memory and can help you in coordinating your body movements with the terrain effectively. Similarly, having so much time learning can eventually add to your confidence and make your skill better for the most part. It is also worth mentioning that mistakes are inevitable and you will face some balance issues in the initial days and there is no need to panic.

Take Smaller Steps

Last but not least, it is also significant to take small steps during the learning process. This is particularly important to maintain the safety of the ride as otherwise can result in you falling down or having balance issues throughout. But some people often ignore this by claiming that they are fast learners, yet, it doesn’t matter and I would always advise you to keep it slow and steady. It does not mean that you are allowed to take longer steps and hurry up the process.

What to Do After the Ride?

Now that you have arrived at the destination as decided, it is time to secure your scooter at a place where there are minimal chances of damage to the model. Hence, the safest place I feel is your garage where it is neither too hot nor too cold. It is also recommended that you use a U-lock or any other, based on your availability if you are most likely to park the scooter in public areas. This can keep your scooters safe from potential thieves. Also, use a cover to prevent any damage from the harsh weather or rain.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Ride an Electric Scooter

Generally, all electric scooters work in a similar fashion, making them easy to ride for the most part. If you own an electric scooter, I would advise you to download the dedicated app that will help you through the process. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to ride an e-scooter;

• First of all, it is important to unscrew the latch of the scooter and press the button.
• I would further advise you to always keep in mind that you have checked the speed and acceleration settings before riding the scooter.
• To begin with, start off by raising the kickstand. Make sure you are holding the handles firmly. This will start the scooter.
• After this, it is time to kick off on the ground. For this purpose, place the weak leg on the scooter and kick the ground using the other foot. This will keep your scooter moving at a gradual pace.
• Once you are done, this is the moment where you will have to press the throttle. This step will help you in gaining momentum and acceleration. Make sure to press it firmly and apply high pressure on the throttle.
• Next step, when it comes to taking turns, you are supposed to rotate the handlebar. Move it firmly in the direction you want to move. Here, it is important to make sure that you don’t lean too much as it can result in losing the overall balance.
• Last but not least, brakes are always applied on the rear side of the scooter. For this purpose, bend your knees and lean backward and apply the rear brake. Make a position as if you are going to sit on the scooter seat.
• Finally, after learning these basic steps, you will be able to ride an electric scooter, with absolute balance. However, the condition here is that you will have to invest the time for practice regularly.

Common Mistakes Riders Make

If you have just started riding an electric scooter, you might feel like after every small interval, the scooter goes out of control and you are continuously falling from the scooter. Well, it is because you are making some common mistakes as a beginner, and having them correctly can help you in maintaining the overall balance. To save your day, here are some common mistakes you might be making along with simple tips that can help you in overcoming them;

Always Make Sure Not to Push the Throttle Too Hard

The most common mistake riders make with an electric scooter is to put a lot of pressure on the throttle, thinking that it can help them gain momentum. While the second part is true, you are not supposed to push it too hard and suddenly. Doing so can result in you losing your balance and eventually accidents. For beginners, I would advise keeping the scooter speed at least up to 15 km/h. Further, make sure you are gradually putting on the pressure and can control the speed with which you are moving.

Never Apply Brakes with Full Force

Another mistake that is so difficult to get rid off is applying the brakes too hard. This is specifically dangerous as it potentially results in you losing all your control over the ride, and eventually in accidents. To make it correct, I would advise you to gradually increase the pressure and slowly pull the brakes. Make sure not to press too hard and let the scooter slow down at its own pace. Further, you can also position it as if you are about to sit down on the seat of the scooter.

Don’t Lean in Too Much

Well, most people don’t understand that leaning a bit is absolutely okay while you are riding a scooter. However, when you lean too much, it can make it difficult for the riders to balance the scooter. It can also make it complicated for you to take a turn smoothly.

Turn Handlebars Gradually

Another common mistake many riders make is pressing the handlebars too hard and suddenly. If you suddenly rotate the handle to take a turn, it can lead you to lose all balance. Therefore, always remember that the key to a smooth turn is keeping it slow and steady.

Not Using Proper Safety Equipment

Last but not least, it is equally important that you wear all the safety gear recommended by the manufacturers. For this, I would always advise you to wear a helmet as a CDC report suggested that using helmets can reduce 45% of head injuries. When it comes to beginners, it is a must-have to prevent the shock from potential accidents. It is also ideal that you use other equipment, including knee pads, elbow pads, and much more. Some scooters also come with these accessories.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it difficult to ride an electric scooter?

No, it is absolutely not difficult to ride an electric scooter, however, you would need patience and determination for the skill. The key to getting a smooth and balanced ride is to try again and again and practice until you achieve stability. This can help you in building your muscle memory which can also boost your confidence on the way. In addition, it is equally worth mentioning that you don’t have to worry about mistakes in the initial stages as they are unavoidable and there is no need for you to panic.

How often should I practice riding an electric scooter?

Well, it all comes down to your individual riding schedule. When it comes to practicing the electric scooter, it all depends on the time and patience you have invested in the process. However, it is not ideal to hurry the process, rather practice in bits and pieces and make sure you are not exhausted at the end of the day. I would advise you to take at least your scooter once a day and always choose a safe place for the practice where there is no traffic and minimal chances of confronting obstacles on the way.

How do you balance a scooter?

There are a number of tricks with which you can try to balance the scooter. First of all, it is important to gradually gain momentum as suddenly increasing the speed can result in losing control and eventually potential accidents. Similarly, while applying brakes, make sure you have not hit the handlebar or throttle with too much pressure. It is equally important to check whether the tire is inflated with suitable pressure. Finally, make sure you are not leaning too much forward as it can make riding difficult.

Can I learn to ride an electric scooter?

Yes, you certainly can learn to ride an electric scooter and all it takes is some determination and practice. To begin with, practice and gradually keeping up with the process is the key here. Make sure that you have chosen a safe place to practice where there is no traffic or other obstacles in the way. Similarly, it doesn’t matter at what speed you learn, I would advise you to keep the process slow and test the scooter at regular intervals to make sure you can enhance your muscle memory.

Final Thoughts

In the end, electric scooters have gained immense popularity for their ability to provide you with a pleasant and challenging athletic activity. So, if you are planning to learn the scooters and are determined to put in the time and effort, you certainly can do the job. However, for the process, you will have to make sure of some things provided in this detailed guide.

Finally, I hope this guide can help you learn the skill of balancing an electric scooter.