Imagup General Magazine 2024
If you are planning to purchase an electric scooter, you might have a few safety concerns. Electric scooters are no doubt a great way to travel, but if you’re not careful, you could have an accident. This is why it makes sense for you to ride your new electric scooter safely.
The good news is this article will show you how you can ride safely.
Wear a Helmet
Even if you’re not required by law to wear a helmet you should. You might think you’re perfectly safe to ride an electric scooter, but you never know what other roads or path users are going to do. Wearing a helmet could potentially save your life.
Let’s imagine you end up in the hospital with a broken arm because you’ve fallen from your scooter. Your arm can be put in a cast, and it’s very likely that it will repair itself after a while. However, if you also bumped your head while you fell, no doctor will be able to repair a damaged brain.
If you were to wear a helmet each time you use your electric scooter you’re much more likely to survive any bump on the head. Wear a helmet as if your life depended on it (It does). Remember that the wardrobe should also be appropriate. You don’t have to wear protective suits like you ride MotoGP races, but it’s certainly not advisable to wear just shorts and a t-shirt either. Wear something that is harder to tear, and that can protect you in the event of a fall. Otherwise, you will peel the skin. Also, from the protective equipment, in addition to the helmet, you can also wear elbow and knee protectors, as well as gloves. And never ride a scooter barefoot or in flip flops.
Do Not Consume Alcohol
Up to one-third of electric scooter users who participated in a study in the United States said they drank alcohol 12 hours before using theirs. Every single person who admitted to drinking alcohol suffered an injury when riding.
We all know we should not drink and drive. It, therefore, makes a lot of sense for us to avoid drinking alcohol before riding a scooter. You can still be prosecuted for driving under the influence of alcohol. You should, therefore, refrain from drinking alcohol. Alternatively, you might wish to hop on a train or bus instead.
Drive Safely
Whenever you hop on your new electric scooter, you might be tempted to ride recklessly. It is very easy to ride too quickly or ignore rod safety signs. However, you should ride safely at all times. Incredibly, 8 out of 10 of those who participated in the American study who sustained injuries had done so by reckless riding. Out of the people who had been injured, 7% of them ran into an object such as a street light, 10% hit the curb, and 10% of them drove into a car.
While scooter regulations can vary between cities, you always need to obey the rules. In addition to this, you should wear reflective clothing and use hand signals before you turn. You should also know what the traffic around you is doing.
Don’t even think about using your phone while you’re riding on your scooter as you won’t be able to control it properly. If you have to make a call or answer your phone, make sure you use a hands-free kit.
Check Your Scooter Before You Ride
A good way to ensure you ride safely is by checking your scooter. Visually inspect it and look for unusual wear or any signs of damage. Make sure you have enough power in your batteries to get to where you need to be. In addition to this, you’ll need to ensure all of your lights and brakes work.
Also, check the tires. Check if they are inflated, as well as do they have visible damage. There may be something wrong with them and this will cause you problems while driving. It is very important that the tires are in good condition because if they inflate, it will be almost impossible to control the scooter, which will put you in danger. If you have any issues with it, you should refrain from using it.
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Avoid Tandem Rides
Many electric scooter users are happy to let another person use theirs with them. While this can be a fun way to give someone a lift, it can cause accidents. This is because there isn’t enough room on your scooter for another person. They could also make it tip over as it won’t be balanced correctly.
If you or another person sustains an injury because there were two people on your scooter, you could be held accountable.
Test Ride Your New Scooter
A lot of new electric scooter owners assume they can ride those safely. However, you need to test ride it before you travel any distance. Scooters aren’t always easy to ride. They can make you feel every bump in the road and make your trip less than perfect.
Do yourself a favor and test ride your new scooter somewhere safe. Find an empty car park or a large open area and enjoy a test ride. Chances are you’ll realize your new scooter isn’t as easy to control as you might have thought.
Read the Instructions
One of the best things you can do is read the instructions that come with your new scooter. Learn what all of the controls do and test them out. Accelerate, decelerate, and maneuver your electric scooter in all directions. Do this while keeping your knees bent slightly as you’ll be much more stable.
Your safety is a priority and your life can depend on how you ride. Don’t assume that you’ll be safe just because you know how to ride. Wear a helmet, keep an eye on traffic around you, and drive safely at all times.
Are you interested in eScooters? Read more here.
