Electric scooters have gained a lot of attention in recent years, largely due to the rise of shared electric scooter rentals in North American cities. However, as electric scooters have become more popular, many riders have chosen to invest in their own e-scooters, rather than spending money on shared rental services.
In this article, we’ll debunk ten common myths about electric scooters and set the record straight.
#1 Electric Scooters Are Dangerous
In the past few years, news outlets have put out stories about the rising prevalence of electric scooter accidents. While accidents can certainly take place, this news coverage has made some people view e-scooters as more dangerous than they really are.
If you want to ride an electric scooter, you simply need to know how to ride it properly to ensure your safety. Carelessness and inexperience are the leading causes of e-scooter accidents. Fortunately, most e-scooter mishaps only result in minor scrapes and bruises.
How to Ride an Electric Scooter Safely
You can mitigate your chances of getting into an e-scooter accident by following these safe riding tips:
- Always wear your helmet
- Keep your eyes on the road at all times
- Practice in a secluded space before riding on public roads
- Adhere to local riding rules
- Stay within your city’s e-scooter speed limits
- Ride slower in busy areas
- Signal your turns
- Leave a healthy amount of space between you and other vehicles or pedestrians
- Don’t drink and ride
- Don’t text and ride
- Don’t let others ride on your e-scooter with you
- Avoid riding in heavy rain or snowstorms
- Use your lights and wear reflective clothing when it’s dark out
In addition to following these tips, you can enhance the safety of your rides by investing in a high-quality electric scooter.
At Apollo Scooters, we conduct extensive testing on each of our vehicles, so you can rest assured that your e-scooter is safe and durable. We also bestow our rides with a wide range of safety features, such as solid braking systems, stability-assisting suspension systems, and bright LED night lights.
#2 Electric Scooters Are Flimsy
Some people assume that electric scooters are just as flimsy as the toy scooters they rode around in childhood. This assumption is often bolstered by the fact that shared e-scooter rentals have a high turnover rate.
As such, rented e-scooters only last a few months on average, but that’s because they’re:
- Often ridden by inexperienced riders
- Stored outside in a variety of harsh weather conditions
- More prone to getting dirty and less likely to get cleaned
- Dropped carelessly on sidewalks after being used
- Insufficiently maintained
In contrast, privately owned electric scooters can be very long-lasting machines. For example, our e-scooters are manufactured with super-strong aluminum and should last for many years thanks to their high-performance features, robust batteries, and exceptional construction.
You can extend the lifespan of your electric scooter by maintaining it properly, keeping it clean, and riding it safely. You also get what you pay for—higher-quality e-scooters typically last longer than cheaper models.
#3 Electric Scooters Are Hard to Ride
If you’ve never ridden an electric scooter before, you may be a little intimidated by the idea. While many e-scooters boast impressive motor power and top speeds, they’re still quite simple to get the hang of.
Since electric scooters have a low center of gravity, it’s easy to maintain your balance while you ride. Additionally, you don’t need to meet a high standard of fitness to operate an electric scooter. The motor will do all of the hard work for you while you focus on watching the road.
As long as you place your feet in a sturdy position, go slow, and shift your weight back while braking, you shouldn’t have any issues riding your electric scooter.
How to Learn How to Ride an Electric Scooter
When you’re ready to take your electric scooter out for the first time, you may want to carve out an hour or two to practice somewhere that’s free from unnecessary distractions, such as:
- Private roads
- Empty parking lots
- Quiet streets
After you master the basics of balancing, accelerating, decelerating, and braking, you can venture onto busier roads. Just keep in mind that you’ll have the added task of maneuvering around obstacles and pedestrians.
It’s also important to note that the ease of use of an electric scooter varies from model to model. If you’re a brand new rider, you may want to go for an entry-level ride, rather than one that boasts a super-fast top speed.
These vehicles are often better suited for beginners, thanks to their modest speeds, comfortable suspension systems, and strong brakes. The Apollo Air and Apollo City are two perfect options for rookie riders.
#4 Electric Scooters Run Out of Charge Quickly
Many people know that electric scooters need to be recharged regularly to keep their batteries full. This may lead you to assume that an electric scooter’s battery charge doesn’t last very long.
While some electric scooters can only ride a few miles on one charge, others can make it much farther. For example, the Apollo Phantom can ride up to 40 miles (64 km) on one charge. You can determine how long an electric scooter’s battery will last by looking at its range.
That being said, an e-scooter’s riding range may vary depending on the weight of the rider and the terrain. As long as you purchase a model with ample range, you should be able to explore your city to your heart’s content without running out of battery.
#5 Electric Scooter Batteries Don’t Last Long
A similar electric scooter myth is that e-scooter batteries have short lifespans. However, this primarily applies to shared e-scooter rentals that are left outside in the hot sun.
Privately-owned electric scooters can preserve their batteries for many years if they’re adequately taken care of.
For example, our vehicles can maintain their full battery capacity for up to four years. Our batteries contain robust Dynavolt cells, which are the gold standard for electric motorcycles.
You can preserve the lifespan of your electric scooter’s battery by:
- Maintaining an optimal charge
- Letting it cool down before charging it after a ride
- Storing your e-scooter in a room-temperature environment
When your battery capacity begins to wane after several years of regular use, you can simply buy a replacement and restore your electric scooter to its original capacity.
#6 Electric Scooters Can’t Go Uphill
Another area where people underestimate electric scooters is their ability to ascend hills. Contrary to some e-scooter myths out there, many electric scooters can power up steep hills with ease. It all depends on their motor power and construction.
Our off-roading e-scooter, the Apollo Explore, can conquer any 20-degree hill that comes its way. It can also roam across a variety of terrains, from smooth sidewalks to rocky nature trails.
#7 Electric Scooters are Bad for the Environment
As climate change concerns continue to mount, many people are being more mindful about their carbon footprints. If you pride yourself on being eco-friendly, you may be worried about the environmental impact of riding an electric scooter.
Electric scooters are actually very eco-friendly for the following reasons:
- They don’t produce any greenhouse gas while in use
- They’re 1,000% more energy-efficient than cars
- They don’t add to air or noise pollution
- They are typically made from recycled materials (Apollo e-scooters are made of recyclable aluminum)
If you use your electric scooter to replace car trips, you can make a significant dent in your carbon footprint. You may even inspire fellow eco-friendly onlookers to do the same.
#8 Electric Scooters Are Impractical
Spending hundreds to thousands of dollars on an electric scooter may sound like a lot if your impression of these vehicles is that they’re toys for tourists. While electric scooters are a lot of fun to ride in a new city, they’re also incredibly practical for day-to-day use.
While you can’t use your electric scooter to pick up the kids from school or do a Costco run, you can use it to:
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Speed up the last mile of your work commute – Driving to work in the city often means dealing with scarce, expensive parking. If you bring your electric scooter with you in your trunk, you can park further away from the office where it may be more affordable and accessible. After that, you can finish off your commute with a quick joyride on the e-scooter.
Even if you take public transportation, it may not necessarily drop you off at your office door. You can bring your e-scooter on the bus or train with you and use it to expedite the last leg of your journey, giving you some extra time to enjoy your morning coffee before the busy workday begins.
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Save time you’d otherwise spend in traffic jams – Another reason why many city commuters are embracing electric scooters is that they enable them to ride past traffic congestion. Rather than moving along at a snail’s pace in your car, you can whiz past traffic and remove “rush hour” from your list of daily to-dos.
- Complete short trips – When you have an electric scooter, you don’t need to waste gas making short trips to the convenience store, coffee shop, or local cafe. You can simply hop on your electric scooter instead. Not only can this save you money at the gas pump, but it can also save you time that you’d otherwise spend searching for parking at your final destination.
#9 Electric Scooters are Illegal to Ride on Public Roads
Since e-scooters are relatively new, the laws surrounding them are still catching up in many jurisdictions. For example, electric scooters are totally unregulated in many cities. In other cities, there may be clear laws on the books regarding these rides.
The confusing part? Electric scooter laws can vary from state to state and province to province. As a result, it’s important to brush up on the local laws where you live.
When it comes to riding on public roads, only a few places have outlawed electric scooters. These states and provinces include:
- Arizona
- Delaware
- Florida
- Idaho
- Kentucky
- New Jersey
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- British Columbia
- Alberta
It’s important to note that public roads only include streets and highways that are maintained by the local, state, or federal government. They don’t include local bike paths or sidewalks.
#10 Electric Scooters Are Expensive
Lastly, some people think that electric scooters come with exorbitant price tags. When compared to other types of vehicles, this simply isn’t the case.
On average, electric scooters can cost anywhere from $300 to $3,000. Even on the higher end of that price range, electric scooters are much more affordable than cars, motorcycles, and even some electric bicycles.
When you factor in the money your electric scooter can save you on gas, rideshare services, and public transportation, they become even more cost-effective.
Experience the Benefits of Electric Scooter Riding With an Apollo Scooter
Now that we’ve debunked some of these electric scooter myths, you can put your e-scooter reservations to rest and experience the reality of riding for yourself.
If you’re ready to purchase an electric scooter of your own, Apollo Scooters can help. We carry a wide range of electric scooter models, each of which is tested extensively to ensure its safety and quality. We have e-scooters for everyone, from beginners to advanced adrenaline junkies.
Explore our selection of high-quality e-scooters today.
Sources:
The Victorian Cyclist. Cycling Accidents and 1890s Moral Panics.
https://thevictoriancyclist.wordpress.com/2015/06/21/cycling-accidents-and-1890s-moral-panics/
Mashable. Shared Scooters Barely Last a Month, Report Says. But That Could Change.
https://mashable.com/article/escooter-lifespan-shared-new-models
WIRED. Let's Count the Ways E-Scooters Could Save the City.
https://www.wired.com/story/e-scooter-micromobility-infographics-cost-emissions/
YourLawyer.com. Electric Scooter Laws by State.
https://www.yourlawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/electric-scooter-laws-state-5_85per.png
BCLaws. Motor Vehicle Act.
https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96318_00
BCLaws. Traffic Safety Act. https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96318_00
Electric Ride Lab. How Much Do Electric Scooters Cost?
https://www.electricridelab.com/electric-scooter-price-cost/
