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Here’s everything you need to know about getting into electric scooters, with a sample of some of the best options on the market.
Electric Scooters – A Buyer’s Guide
Electric scooters that were once considered a niche mode of transportation are now ubiquitous in the form of services like Bird and Lime, and that has made some people think about buying their own electric scooter. An electric scooter makes sense, what to look for and what to look for when buying, such as maintenance and legality.
First, what is an electric scooter?
scooters come in two main variants.
The former is a seated style best exemplified by something like the Vespa Elettrica or the Ninebot eScooter E200P. Seated electric scooters are essentially low-powered motorcycles – you probably won’t be able to take them with you on the highway or out of town, but they’re great city commuters. Depending on the performance specification, you may need to be insured and licensed to drive one and of course the region you live in. Here is a selection of the best electric seat scooters (also called mopeds) you can get.
The type of scooter that companies like Lime rent are a stand-up scooter, also called a folding or kick scooter, although only some models require a kick to get going. Electric kick scooters can often be more practical than sit scooters. While they may need add-ons for storage, the ability to fold the stem means they can fit into tight spaces like public transportation or the trunk of a car. Sidewalks and park paths in some cases and some of the more rugged models may deviate from the street.
lines can be blurry. Some stand-up models have optional seats, and stand-up models sometimes look more like mopeds or electric bikes than Vespa.
Should I buy an electric scooter?
Before deciding which scooter to use over other modes of transport, you need to consider several factors. The first is the weather: although some scooters will work in the snow, you will need to adjust your speed, clothing and equipment, such as B. by changing / off-road tires. Even then, it can be risky, and some conditions just don’t allow cycling; You won’t get anywhere in half a meter of snow. Skateboarding is only really suitable when the sky is clear or light rain. Depending on the model, this may be necessary. Provide additional weather protection to protect the battery and circuits.
Conditions also include roads and traffic. While many scooters can handle cracks and potholes, few are able to reach highway speeds, and even then the roads are not the safest place to be. or motorcycle when driving on the road is absolutely necessary. Some people don’t feel comfortable in heavy traffic, and of course, the lighter scooters are only intended for sidewalks, park paths and bike paths.
Legality is a big factor. While seat scooters are usually legal around the world, many governments are yet to recognize the potential of stand-up models, often resulting in scattered or bogus laws. Street but others are notoriously harsh, like London, where people’s walks are regularly confiscated. However, other places prevent you from walking on streets or sidewalks. If you move internationally and bring a scooter with you, you may be forced to register and insure it, even if it was previously unbureaucratic. Electric bikes and motorcycles tend to be better because of features like pedal backs and/or larger batteries.
If all you want to do is have fun, things open up a lot as scooters have almost no learning curve. But even then, you have to be prepared for the fact that the high-end models are big and heavy, which makes it difficult to get home when electric skateboards and unicycles are superior when you need maximum mobility and time to learn can afford to use them. Speed and the ability to negotiate rough terrain.
