Riding an electric scooter is a real pleasure: you step on, ease into the throttle and glide away. Like any way of getting around, it also comes with risks, and a little preparation goes a long way. These e-scooter safety tips will help you ride with confidence, every time.
Read the manual
E-scooters are intuitive, and we know you want to get going. Still, we strongly recommend reading your user manual before your first ride. It is short, and it holds the details that matter for your model: how to fold and unfold safely, how the brakes work, the correct tyre pressure and how to ride in wet conditions.
Wear protective equipment
Prevention is always better than cure. Our current scooters are limited to 25km/h (15.5mph), which is quick enough that a fall can hurt. We recommend wearing a helmet on every ride. Browse our accessories for kit that helps you ride safely.
Be seen
If there is any chance you will be riding in low light, and in a British winter that comes around early, make sure your lights are on so you can see and be seen. Bright or reflective clothing helps too. The Air⁶ range, Escape Pro+ Suspension and Advance all have built-in indicators, so you can signal your intentions without taking a hand off the bars.
Check the conditions
Wet leaves, painted lines, metal covers and loose gravel can all reduce grip. In the wet, slow down, brake earlier and gently, and avoid sharp turns. All of our current scooters carry an IP65 rating, but always check your user manual for guidance on riding in the rain. If you are new to riding, wait for drier days until you feel confident.
Check before you ride
Before you set off, run through this quick five-point check. It takes a couple of minutes.
- Tyres: check they are inflated to the recommended pressure, with no visible damage or wear and enough tread. Our tyre pressure guide explains why this matters so much.
- Brakes: squeeze the brake levers and make sure they feel firm and responsive.
- Battery: make sure you have enough charge for the whole ride, with some to spare.
- Throttle: it should feel smooth, with no sticking. Test it gently in a safe, open space.
- Damage: look over the frame, stem, folding joints and cables for anything loose, cracked or out of place.
For regular checks beyond the pre-ride routine, see our electric scooter maintenance guide.
Stay aware
It is tempting to relax and enjoy the view, but keep your eyes up and ahead. Look out for potholes, slippery surfaces, uneven ground, dogs, children and anyone else sharing the space. Keep both hands on the handlebars, and never use your phone while riding.
Ride solo
Your scooter is engineered to carry one rider. Carrying a passenger makes it harder to steer and brake, and it puts you over the weight limit very quickly. Every scooter in our current range has a maximum rider weight of 120kg. Keep in mind that anything you carry adds to that total.
Choose a scooter that helps you stay in control
Good engineering makes safe riding easier. Our Air⁶ Suspension combines dual GlideMotion™ suspension with 10-inch enhanced-grip tubeless tyres, so it stays composed over bumps and holds its line. On the Air⁶ Ultra, Air⁶ Ultra Max and Escape Pro+ Suspension, our Active Steering Stabilisation System™ helps keep the steering centralised, dampening unwanted side-to-side movement for better control. Explore the full range in our electric scooters collection.
Practice makes perfect
Take it slowly while you get to know your new scooter. Acceleration can feel brisk at first, so practise starting, turning and braking at different speeds and on different surfaces somewhere open and quiet. You will soon find it becomes second nature.
Be considerate of everyone around you. It helps prevent injury to you and to others, and it means you will enjoy your electric scooter for years to come.
It is currently only legal to use an e-scooter on private land with the permission of the land owner. It is illegal to ride an e-scooter on a public road, cycle path, bridleway or pavement. For the latest, read our guide to UK e-scooter law and visit our E-scooter Legislation Hub.
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