It’s hard to go anywhere in most cities these days without seeing electric scooters, and they’re a lot more than just a passing fad. They’re a fun and easy way to travel in today’s modern urban landscape, and they can safely and conveniently store under your desk while you’re at work. Here are a few tips to help you use your scooter safely in the city. If you have any other questions, call or come see us at CalMoto in Mountain View and Livermore, California. We’re proud to serve San Francisco and San Jose, California.

Use The Proper Safety Gear

The first thing you’ll need to do is invest in a good CPSC-certified bike helmet. The helmet shouldn’t be too tight, but it should fit snugly on your head. You don’t need to buy any special protective gear, but you should wear gloves and long pants. It’s also never a good idea to ride a scooter or any other form of motorized bike in sandals or flip-flops. Dress for the weather conditions outside, and be sure to carry a light jacket. Even in the summer, it can get a little chilly on a scooter.

Start Out Slowly

If you’re riding a scooter for the first time, be sure to learn the controls. Familiarize yourself with the location of the accelerator, brakes, lights and horn. Be sure to also test out the responsiveness of the throttle and the brake. No one will point and laugh at you if you want to practice in a parking lot at first, and you can ride the scooter like a regular kick scooter without turning on the engine. Check your tires, secure all locking mechanisms and make sure the batteries are charged. Go slow at first, and learn to lean and balance.

Ride Defensively

Don’t be “that guy” if you’re riding your scooter on a sidewalk with other pedestrians. Pass them on the left and politely inform them of your presence as you approach. Once you “learn the lean,” it shouldn’t take you long to get the hang of riding. You won’t want to use your handlebars for any other purpose than steering, and you’ll want to shift your hips and your legs to do most of the maneuvering.

Pay attention to your surroundings, and reduce your speed when you’re around other people. If you need to stop, try not to lock out your brakes or turn your handlebars. Just back off the throttle, lean back and try to lower your center of gravity. If you need to stop very suddenly, it’s sometimes safer to jump off the scooter. Fixing a damaged scooter is much cheaper than a trip to the emergency room.

For more information and to see our current inventory visit CalMoto in Mountain View and Livermore, California. serving San Francisco and San Jose, California.