Many people, both adults, and kids look forward to their first electric scooter ride. It opens new avenues to scouting the streets and enjoying the surroundings. However, without proper guidance, the first attempts may be disastrous. You may hit a person or obstacles, fall down and embarrass yourself, or even damage the unit. Such are some of the reasons that make it important to take time to understand the unit learns the basics, and approach with caution. Like any other product, it takes time to fully understand the fundamentals and also to become a skilled rider. The following are the basic steps on how to ride an electric scooter. Before you read further also check our article on Razor e200 Electric Scooter Review.
A Complete Guide To Ride An Electric Scooter
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Step 1: Find a suitable location
Before you even jump on the scooter, you should first identify a good location. This allows you to focus on the activity without much distraction or disturbance. You should avoid a place that has too many obstacles or people. An open field, park, empty driveway are some of the good spots. Also important is to identify a flat terrain. Riding a scooter uphill or on an incline takes more prowess and effort. It is also easy to mess since the unit will be under more strain. The same case supplies when riding downhill since the item will ride much faster due to gravity. You should go to a flat area. Also check, Best Electric Scooter for Adults
Step 2: Understand the different parts
After identifying a nice open space, the next thing is to know the different parts, where they are located, and how they work. Do you what a brake looks like, why it’s there, and when you should use it? Do you know how throttle looks like, where it is located, and the purpose it serves? Are you aware of the foot brake and how different it is from the handbrake? What of the display, if it has one? Proper understanding of the different parts and components helps you to know how to operate it better, efficiently and safely. Can you imagine turning the throttle forwards yet you intended to press the handbrake? Disaster!
Step 3: Unlock the scooter
Most scooters will come with a latch that is located on the lower section of the steering column. Its role is to unlock the scooter making it ready to ride. It raises it in an upright Position and to its full length. You will, however, find some types that do not have any locking feature. With these, you will just need to power it up and ride it.
NB: It is always important that you maintain the right posture. This gives you better control and all-around visibility. It also improves the balance and also minimizes any strain or fatigue.
Step 4: Start the Scooter
Once ready and the scooter is on the ground, you then need to start the unit. This allows the battery to deliver power to the electric motor on the rear wheel. You do this by pressing a switch. You will hear the motor humming meaning its ready to go.
Some types will have a display on the handlebar. It will indicate if the unit is powered on. It also will display the level of battery charge. This may come in the form of bars or percentage. Some types will even indicate the distance covered.
Step 5: Use the throttle
One of the biggest mistakes many learners or beginners learn does not know how to operate the throttle. Most will press it too hard and this makes them lose concentration or even panic. The throttle is usually placed on the right side of the handlebar. It will come in a twist style, which will rotate either forwards or backward. Forwards, just as the direction indicates, means it will move it forward. Turning it more meaning you will move at a much faster speed. Rotating it backward decelerates the unit by reducing the power fed into the motor.
When riding normally, you can play around with the throttle. Turn it more forward for speed and backward to reduce speed. The first steps may be a bit jerky but you should get a hang of it over time.
Step 6: Maneuver it properly
You should learn how to control the scooter when it is moving at a slow speed. Turn the handlebar too fast and you may lose control or balance. It also takes some skill to turn it while operating the throttle. Things such as terrain, speed, and more influence the control of the scooter. Maneuvering a scooter on sandy, wet, or gravely surfaces is more demanding than on asphalt// tarmac or concrete. It is therefore important to first learn on the latter surfaces.
Step 7: Learn the braking
Proper braking is a key step in learning how to ride an electric scooter. You should know how to stop in time and not too sharply. Your reaction should be fast and you should know when to use the handbrake and when you use the footbrake.
The handbrake is found on the handlebar while the footbrake is found on the floorboard. You can use them interdependently. However, you should get used to using the footbrake more and the handbrake when coming to a complete stop. This may, however, vary with the model and brand.
Step 8: Safe stopping
After coming to a complete stop and calling it a ride, you need to turn off the power. This is as simple as pressing a switch. Thereafter, you engage the latch, which locks the unit.
NB: When riding the unit, always makes certain you are wearing safety gear. This includes a helmet, kneepads, elbow pads, and protective clothing. An adult should always be there to supervise kids.
Conclusion
Above are the key steps on how to ride an electric scooter. And as you have seen, the steps are basic. Even a kid will be able to understand them. The difficulty normally knows what comes first, and then what follows next. Like in any other activity, it will take some time to become an accomplished rider. How fast you or the target person learns depends on many things. For instance, the age, person desirer or ambition, type of scooter, the person who is teaching him or her and much more. Nevertheless, with a bit of patience and time, you or any other person will become better.
