With more than 350,000 e-scooters in Europe and nearly 100,000 in the U.S., it’s safe to say that e-scooters have become a serious alternative form of transportation. However, despite there being so many e-Scooters for adults in use, there are still many myths that prevent more people from using them.
Let’s put these myths to bed once and for all.
1. e-Scooters Have a High Accident Risk
When used safely and adequately, e-Scooters are no more dangerous than any other vehicle. But, ultimately, safety comes down to following the rules for e-Scooters and being aware of your surroundings.
Manufacturers of e-Scooters provide safety tips and guides to promote responsible riding. Additionally, modern-day e-Scooters are built with safety in mind and offer innovative safety features, like:
- Light bars to improve visibility
- Advanced braking systems
- Sensors that detect unsafe riding conditions
Improved stability also allows for smoother and safer rides with less of a learning curve.
Safety is a concern with any moving vehicle, but following safety guidelines, wearing the appropriate gear and being aware of your surroundings can help minimize the risk of an accident. In addition, practicing riding a scooter and improving your riding skills can further reduce the chances of an accident or injury.
2. e-Scooters Clutter the City Streets
It’s a common misconception that e-Scooters clutter city streets and sidewalks. People are used to seeing cars parked along city streets, but these vehicles take up ten times the space of an e-Scooter.
Clutter only becomes a problem when cities fail to plan for e-Scooter use and parking.
Education on how to properly park an e-Scooter and having designated parking for scooters can help improve issues with clutter. Some scooter manufacturers have apps that show users where they can and can’t park. They also educate users on how to properly park their e-Scooters to help keep city streets clean and green.
3. e-Scooters Aren’t Built to Last
At one time, this may have been true. However, modern-day e-Scooters are built to last. The best e-scooters can last 3-5 years or more with the proper care and maintenance. The key is to buy from a reputable electric scooter company that prioritizes durability.
Of course, the life of the scooter also depends on how a person uses it and maintains it. Like any other vehicle, if you abuse it and fail to keep it well-maintained, your scooter may not last more than a year.
Modern electric scooters come with instructions for proper use and maintenance. These guidelines should be followed to ensure that the scooter lasts.
4. e-Scooters Are Bad for the Environment
In the past, e-Scooters lasted a year at most. While they are battery-powered and do not produce emissions, a year-long lifespan can contribute to waste and ultimately require more resources to continually produce new scooters.
Now that durability issues have been resolved, e-Scooters actually benefit the environment. They now last five years or more and have more powerful batteries that allow you to travel farther before needing to recharge.
Many scooters allow you to swap batteries, so you can continue your journey before using energy to recharge.
Yes, the manufacturing, moving and management of e-Scooters do produce greenhouse gas emissions. However, manufacturers are taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint and improve the efficiency of these operations.
5. e-Scooters Are a Toy for Tourists
Many people still don’t take e-Scooters seriously and view them as nothing more than a fun way for tourists to get around town. However, e-Scooters can replace car trips and easily be used for commuting.
In cities that have swappable battery stations, e-Scooters have become an even more feasible and practical alternative to a conventional vehicle commute.
In many places around the world, e-Scooters are used primarily by local residents and not tourists.
There’s no question that tourists can and do use electric scooters. However, many cities with low tourism also have plenty of e-scooter users.
Over the last few years, e-Scooters have come a long way. While some of these myths may have been true at one time, changes in manufacturing and city planning made e-Scooters a viable alternative form of transportation. Whether for work or play, electric scooters provide a fun, easy, and convenient way to get around town.
