Are Electric Scooters Safe For Kids? The thrill of riding an electric scooter and zooming around is hard to resist for any youngster. But, as a conscientious parent, you may have concerns with regard to the safety of electric scooters.
There are risks involved whenever kids are allowed to climb on top of a moving vehicle. However only you can decide if a scooter is safe enough for your kid to ride. After reading the following information, you should have a better idea of how safe electric scooters can be if used correctly.
Are Electric Scooters Safe For Your Child?
We find most kids want to start riding electric scooters in the 6–12 age bracket. But are electric scooters safe for kids? No matter the age of the rider, it is crucial to remember that the level of risk associated with using an electric scooter is entirely dependent on the operator.
Recent years have seen tremendous improvements in the technology behind electric scooters. These scooters have improved safety features that make them more secure than ever before. Improved braking systems, enhanced speed limits, and modernised stability controls all contribute to making scooters a more secure option for kids, even those who have never ridden one before.
Making sure the scooter is right for your child’s age is the most important thing you can do to keep them safe. Manufacturers tend to agree that children under the age of eight should only use these scooters under adult supervision, or even while a parent or other adult is riding along.
Scooters for kids over the age of eight are plentiful. The more advanced models offer features like speed limits and gyroscopic balance technologies that let you adjust the scooter’s difficulty level based on the rider’s skill level.
In addition, you must ensure that your child has access to all the necessary protective equipment. You wouldn’t hope for the best if you let your young child go on a bicycle without a helmet or training wheels when they were learning how to ride a bike, and the same logic applies to an electric scooter.
Protective gear, such as helmets, knee pads, elbow pads, and even lightweight protectors, are all good options for young children using electric scooters for the first time.
Your child’s safety on an electric scooter depends a lot on what shoes he or she is wearing. In most cases, rubber-soled athletic shoes that provide a moderate amount of traction will work well. Shoes with a different closure system than shoelaces are likewise a good alternative, though well-tied laces that don’t drag on the ground are fine, too.
Related: Things to consider before purchasing an electric scooter for your child
How To Make An Electric Scooter Safer For Your Child!
If you want to make sure your child’s electric scooter is safe, there are a few measures you can take to make riding an electric scooter far less dangerous overall.
Before letting your kid ride around on a scooter, make sure you give it a thorough safety inspection. Obviously, this isn’t exactly the most exciting thing to do every time your kid hops on the scooter and races down the street, but it’s better than a trip to the emergency room.
- Verify visually that the scooter does not have any loose or damaged items.
- Check the electric battery system is fully charged.
- Check the tyres are properly inflated. Check they are free of debris, and have enough tread to give your child enough grip on the surface they will be racing on.
- Check the handlebars are tight, comfortable to use, and have a complete range of motion.
- Before letting your youngster take the reins, you may want to do a short test ride to make sure everything is in order.
Children can ride electric scooters safely if their parents use common sense, teach them to take responsibility for their own safety, and help them build skills and confidence while making them wear the right safety gear. If you need help choosing the scooter for your child, check out our helpful guide of considerations