How to Avoid Electric Scooter Accidents and Injuries

The question is not if you’re going to crash but when. Contrary to popular belief, electric scooters do not cause injuries. Careless driving and accidents do, just like any other vehicle on the street. By following best practices and road safety rules, you’ll have safe happy e-scootering around the city.

General Tips:

• You don’t need to move fast to get injured.
• Don’t go faster than you can brake.
• When you know you’re about to fall down, if you can, try to fall forward (land on your forearm to protect your face) or to the side.

The 3 main causes of electric scooter crashes and how to avoid them:

Terrain

1. Sliding on regular objects due to solid tyres
2. Sliding on wet or damp roads
3. Hitting a raised portion of road surface
4. Going out of control then hitting a curb or grass

How to avoid road crashes:

• Take it slow if you’re a first-time rider, new to the area, and there are changes to your regular route.
• Keep your eyes on the road and hands on the handlebar.
• Do not use an electric scooter with solid tyres wet and damp roads.
• Take note of obstacles that can throw you off – manhole covers, potholes, lip over 1-inch, and loose gravel/sand/leaves.
• Take note of moving threats around you – pedestrians, cyclists, vehicles.

Human Error

1. Passive riding – standing straight and not moving
2. Letting your guard down once you get used to riding an electric scooter
3. Not paying attention
4. Being careless or reckless

How to avoid injuries on your electric scooter:

• Don’t double ride an electric scooter.
• Always consult the preflight and safety checklist before every ride.
• Always wear a helmet.
• Use defensive e-scootering techniques.
• Assume everything is going to hit you.
• Do not hang your bags on the scooter.

Not easily avoidable causes

1. Vehicle collisions
2. Pedestrian collisions

How to mitigate collisions that aren’t easy to avoid:

• Keep distance from parked and pulled over cars.
• Assume that cars can’t see you.
• Assume that cars will turn at every intersection or into your lane even without signal.
• Don’t assume that your bell or horn can be heard in loud traffic.
• Wear a helmet that doesn’t obstruct your peripheral vision.
• Practice looking over your shoulder while in motion.
• Keep an eye on pedestrians.
• Be wary of riders and cyclists moving slowly as this could mean they’re going to turn.
• If you have to ride at night, use high-mounted bright front and rear lights.

Electric scooters are limited to bike paths and shared paths in states where they are legal in Australia. This makes it safer to ride them in public, but that doesn’t mean accidents can’t happen. As more people prefer electric bicycles and scooters, these safety tips will be useful for both new and experienced riders.