Are electric scooters good and do they really have rules?

Where are you ‘allowed’ to ride an electric scooter in the UK? Can electric scooters be ridden on the road?

Here’s some that we get asked from time to time and so here is the low down on riding an adult electric scooter

Electric scooters have been around since 1996. But they’ve just recently seen a massive rise in popularity and public interest. This is in part thanks to the growing number of e Scooter rental companies, like Bird, Lime, and more recently announced, Uber. Salford Council is participating in the Department for Transport’s E-Scooter trial.

They have partnered up with Lime Scooters who is running the scheme and are fully responsible for the implementation and operating costs. Lime is the world’s leading micro mobility company, which provides e-scooters in 125 cities around the world.

They have partnered up with Lime Scooters who is running the scheme and are fully responsible for the implementation and operating costs. Lime is the world’s leading micro mobility company, which provides e-scooters in 125 cities around the world.
The scheme is being run entirely by Lime and is supported by Salford City Council, Transport for Greater Manchester and the University of Salford who will research ‘micro-mobility’ over short distances.

E-scooters can be found and parked in specific marked parking bays, these can be located by downloading the Lime App. To start a ride, once you have downloaded the Lime App, scan the QR code on the handlebars to begin a ride. Once complete you must park it responsibly in a designated parking zone and take a photo to confirm the end of the ride.

With so many rental scooters hitting the market, more and more people are considering making a purchase of their own. And they’re asking one simple question: are electric scooters worth it?

Answering this question is extremely subjective. Determining the value of something is a process as unique as you are. Something that’s worth it to your neighbour or a family member might not be worth it to you.

But to help you determine the value of owning an electric scooter, we can explore the costs to and benefits of ownership.

The Cost of Owning an Electric Scooter

The financial cost of owning an electric scooter is much lower than owning other forms of transportation such as a car or a motorcycle. But you should still consider the costs. The prices do vary quite a bit. Electric scooters range from a few hundred pounds to £1,500 or more. Do some research for yourself. The correlation between the price isn’t always strong, so understand which features are included, consider the price point that you are comfortable with, and read reviews. Our top recommendations for an E-Scooter are The XIAOMI Mi Essential Electric Scooter and The Xiaomi Mi 1S Electric Scooter.

As the name suggests, this scooter is an essential model, and while it doesn’t lack any important features, it’s not a crazy-complicated scooter neither. The upside of that engineering choice is that every single part of this scooter will work perfectly, and the scooter will provide stable performance and a long lifespan. The scooter is tough and sturdy in general, and is of very good quality, especially for its price range. That’s where Xiaomi scooters typically shine – they provide hard-to-beat quality for very accessible prices

For that reason, we feel it offers the most, with a riding experience that isn’t far off its more expensive competitor and packing enough battery range to last most daily commutes.

This is a great scooter for those thinking of replacing public transport or even a bicycle with something smaller, more convenient, and easier to stash in a flat or office. It offers a great mix of performance, durability and comfort at a price that won’t break the bank.

Here are a few steps to take to ensure that yours and others safety remains top priority.

Wear a Helmet and other protective gear

Like riding a bike or a skateboard you don’t have any external protection like you do in a car. Therefore, it’s a great idea to wear some protective gear like a helmet and elbow or knee pads. This protects the parts of the body that are most important to protect if you do fall off!

Have at least one working light

If you do decide to try out your scooter whilst its dark or the visibility isn’t as great, it’s highly recommended to attach at least one working light to your scooter. This will let people know you are around and will help you to see as well.

Complete a visual check before you ride

Before setting off for a ride, it would be best to check your scooter for anything that might be physically wrong. For example, check your tyres are inflated fully with nothing obstructing them. Also check the handlebars and brakes are working!

Don’t ride in bad weather

Whilst the electric scooter is designed to be resilient, it is best to avoid riding in bad weather. Bad weather can affect your concentration and the manoeuvrability of the scooter; therefore it is best to ride in dry conditions.

Be confident in controlling the scooter

A great way to stay safe whilst riding is to be confident and know how to ride your scooter. It is best to start out with short rides and get used to how it moves and how to brake safely. Practice will help you to become more confident and increase your safety.

Don’t speed!

Electric scooters can exceed up to 30mph! This is speedy and can also be the cause of some accidents, especially if you aren’t confident. Therefore, it is recommended not to speed and only go at a speed that is safe and within your abilities.

Don’t use your phone in motion

This might seem like common sense, but much like riding a bike or driving a car, using your phone will distract you. This can then lead to accidents, so it’s best to not use your phone whilst you are using your scooter. If you need to use your phone, make sure you are stationary.

Ride on your own

It might seem tempting to have some fun and take your friends for a ride however this isn’t advised. Electric scooters are designed for one person and often have a weight limit, it’s best to be aware of this before riding tandem.

These steps can help you to become aware of your safety whilst being able to have fun with your electric scooter on private land!

Conclusion

Electric scooters have advantages and disadvantages. Depending on your situation, you may decide for yourself if you should buy an electric scooter or not. I believe electric scooters are very efficient and they will be an increase of users in the next few years. Hopefully the law will change too, so that they will become legal to ride anywhere!