Electric scooters are currently a widespread craze, and scooter riders appear to be having a pretty good time getting around. Who wouldn’t, right? It’s so much easier to navigate traffic, and the car parking catastrophe is no longer an issue. If you’re trying to decide whether to jump on the bandwagon and purchase one for yourself, you’re probably wondering about the pros and cons of riding an e-scooter.
Electric scooters are environmentally friendly, affordable, relatively quiet, and, of course, fun! Nonetheless, they can be easily stolen and don’t offer much in the way of carrying capacity. Accidents are also fairly common, so safety (wearing a helmet) should be a top priority.
It’s important to consider the various features of e-scooters before you make a purchase, so that you can be sure it’s the right decision for you. Let’s take a look at what you can gain by joining the scooter trend yourself.
What Is an Electric Scooter?
With the rapid growth of electric scooters on American streets and elsewhere, the industry’s future seems promising. E-scooters are especially popular due to their portability and convenience of use, and they’re also praised as an environmentally friendly means of transportation.
But what is an electric scooter? In simple words, e-scooters are electric-powered stand-up scooters with a narrow platform, t-stem handlebars, and hand brakes, at least in their most basic version.
They typically have two wheels (some models have three or four), as well as front and rear suspension. The majority of these scooters can be folded, and some models even include a seat.
The scooter’s battery is a key component; even minor modifications on the battery can have a significant impact on the scooter’s performance. Nickel metal hydride, lead-acid, and lithium-ion batteries are the three types of batteries that can be utilized in the manufacturing of an e-scooter.
Advantages of Electric Scooters
Electric scooters offer a wide range of benefits such as having a slim appearance and being loaded with features that contribute to a smooth ride on any surface. Let’s look closer at four of the top benefits of electric scooters:
1) Environmentally Friendly
Electric scooters were developed with the environment in mind, so it’s no surprise that this is one of their biggest advantages.
With the increasing threat of climate change, there has never been a more important time to adopt environmentally safe products, and the electric scooter is a fantastic option in that regard.
As e-scooters become more widespread, fewer cars will be on our streets and the level of air pollution in major cities can be significantly reduced.
One of the best ways to reduce your own carbon footprint is to travel emission-free, which you can do with an electric scooter.
2) Low Costs
Electric scooters are economical and come in a range of prices to suit almost any budget. You can get a great scooter, like the Gotrax APEX XL (on Amazon), for just a few hundred dollars.
The good news is that a scooter requires little to no maintenance, and if you take excellent care of yours, it can survive for years without needing any major repairs.
If you do require repairs, they’re usually relatively affordable. This is because the mechanics of electric scooters are relatively basic.
As a result, electric scooters may be a viable alternative to driving a car, particularly for low-income individuals.
3) Skip the Traffic Jam
Each person who decides to ride an electric scooter reduces the number of bulky vehicles in a traffic jam, contributing to less traffic and fewer road accidents.
It may even be feasible to avoid traffic jams by using electric scooters in areas where specific scooter lanes are available.
But before you utilize any old bike lane, be sure to verify your local traffic rules; some towns allow you to use the bike lane with electric scooters while others do not.
4) Less Noise Pollution
Electric scooters are also a relatively quiet mode of transport. This is especially positive in bigger cities where noise pollution can be unbearable.
Electric scooters contribute to a reduction in road noise pollution. As a result, the usage of electric scooters can improve many people’s quality of life and prevent mental stresses caused by excessive noise.
Disadvantages of Electric Scooters
Despite their many benefits, electric scooters are not perfect; there are some disadvantages you should be aware of. Let’s look at the most important ones:
1) Easily Stolen
E-scooters are a hot target for thieves since they’re relatively easy to move and can be quite pricey. Electric scooter owners sometimes park their vehicles anywhere, making them vulnerable to thieves.
An owner’s negligence is a major factor contributing to stolen scooters. Therefore, if you buy an electric scooter, do ensure that you’re keeping it safe.
Simply put, park your scooter in a secure location rather than on the street. If you must park in a public spot and are unable to monitor it, use a good lock, like the PENTAGON Heavy Duty Lock (on Amazon).
2) Limited Carrying Capacity
Since most electric scooters are only built to carry one person, they aren’t exactly ideal for sharing a ride. A motor vehicle stands out in this situation since it can transport multiple people.
Scooters also frequently have a weight limit, which means that if a person is very overweight, electric scooters may not be the best option.
3) Increase in Accidents
According to a new study, one out of every five scooter drivers has been engaged in an accident or had a near miss. This may be due to the fact that electric scooters do not require a driver’s license to operate.
Most riders, particularly young ones, may underestimate the scooter’s speed and the dangers associated with it.
4) High Costs
Although there are many kinds of scooters that only cost a few hundred dollars, they are usually pretty limited in terms of their functions and may require frequent repairs. Top-of-the-line options, like the Yume D5 Scooter (on Amazon), can cost you well over a thousand dollars.
Scooter prices vary widely depending on where you live and the options available. The same scooter might have a very different price in the US versus in Europe, for example.
What’s the Verdict?
While there are certain drawbacks to using electric scooters, they are still an excellent way to get around, particularly in large cities and over short distances.
It’s hard not to enjoy the feeling of being on a scooter as you cruise through the streets, so give it a try for yourself and see if it’s a good fit for you.