Our guide to electric scooter brakes

Our guide to electric scooter brakes

When you’re looking to purchase an electric scooter, the brakes on your vehicle will no doubt be one of the most important considerations for you to undertake.

Brakes are what keep you safe while riding your electric scooter around town or commuting to work, so it’s essential that they work properly in any situation. It's no good having a state-of-the-art braking system if you don't know how to use it and it fails in your moment of need.

Electric scooters can come with many different types of brakes, though the three most common choices are disc brakes, drum brakes, and foot brakes. Each has its own pros and cons when it comes to braking performance, so it's best to familiarize yourself with all of the different braking systems if you're still yet to make a purchase.

Some of the things you'll want to look out for when electric scooter shopping are the type of brakes each model has, as well as the braking distance (how long it takes to come to a complete halt). This is because the same system might be less effective on different models, for example, a top-quality drum brake might stop a lot faster than one with cheap brake pads.

In this article, we take a look at the different types of electric scooter brakes that are available today, their pros and cons, and any other points of interest worth knowing for each braking system.

The different types of electric scooter brakes

There are five real contenders when it comes to braking systems, which can be split into two distinct categories; mechanical brakes and electronic brakes.

You should read reviews to find out the quality of the braking system that is on the electric scooter you are considering buying, because they aren't all as effective, even if they're similar.

Different brake systems also come with varying levels of maintenance required to keep them working well, which can be a deciding factor between different electric scooter brake types.

Mechanical systems

image

The mechanical brake category is larger and hosts the three most common types of brake that you are likely to find on an electric scooter. This category consists of disc brakes, drum brakes and foot brakes, which all require force or mechanical input to utilize.

Disc brakes and drum brakes are usually triggered by the rider pulling on a brake lever on their electric scooter handlebar system, which in turn pulls on the brake cable, which causes the drums (or brake pads) to touch the wheel. As the wheel spins with the brake pads touching it, the friction causes it to spin at a slower speed, bringing the electric scooter to a stop.

Foot brakes are the third type of mechanical brakes, but they are not activated by the rider's fingers. Foot brakes are essentially a cover on the electric scooter's wheel (almost always the rear wheel), which the rider steps down on to cause the scooter wheel to succumb to pressure and slow to a stop.

Typically, foot brakes are the least effective braking system and they can also cause a scooter to skid in wet conditions. Usually, foot brakes are a secondary backup option for electric scooters, usually used in tandem with other brakes or for gentle deceleration rather than stopping rapidly.

The history of brakes for two-wheeled vehicles

Brakes on a two-wheeled vehicle were first invented in 1879, when the first bicycles with brakes were built. The first bicycle brakes were actually made with flat pieces of wood or metal that were pressed against the rims of the wheels to slow down the bicycle.

Today, instead of wood or metal, you'll most likely find a rubber brake caliper on your bike or scooter, because they are much less damaging to the rim of the wheel.

The first bicycles were also quite heavy and hard to control, due to the materials they were made from and how much effort was required by their riders, so they could have probably really used some more efficient braking systems.

In 1894, the first motorcycles were invented and they had brakes. The first motorcycles had brakes similar to bicycles, and they were also made with wood and metal, and their brakes were also made from metal, which quickly wore down the wheels and required maintenance.

The electric scooter really came onto the scene in the last 15-20 years, and by that time modern bicycle brakes were already pretty efficient with good stopping power. The same technology has been applied to electric scooters, and it keeps on improving, which is how we've now come to see a new category of braking systems.

Electronic systems

This category of electronic braking systems for electric scooters includes two different varieties or possibilities that you might come across.

As a general rule of thumb, electronic brakes require zero maintenance in comparison to their mechanical counterparts. This is because they do not rely on components or need to create friction to work, so the rider never needs to worry about the condition of the braking surface, or getting new brake pads.

They also weigh less than more conventional brakes, because they work by taking something away from the motor rather than using force to make it come to a stop.

Drum brakes

image

Drum brakes are the most common type of brake on electric scooters. They have a brake shoe, which is usually made from steel, aluminum or stainless steel and the entire brake system is usually encased over the front or rear wheel.

Drum brakes work by having an inner drum that rotates with a wheel mounted outside it. With a drum brake, when you squeeze the brake lever, it pushes a rod that forces the inner drum against the outer drum. The friction created causes heat, which stops your scooter.

Advantages of drum brakes

The main advantages of drum brakes are that they’re simple, reliable, cheap to produce, and produce a great amount of braking power. They also don’t use much energy to operate, so you can get a lot of stopping power from just a small amount of effort. They are very responsive, even in wet conditions, if the drum brake is enclosed from external conditions.

Disadvantages of drum brakes

The disadvantages of drum brakes are that they wear out quickly if used too much or for long periods at high speed. Drum brakes overheat, and so they wear down, which means that they require frequent maintenance to uphold the same amount of braking power. This sensitive nature means that in the long run, they can be more expensive than other braking systems.

Disc brakes

Electric scooter disc brakes work by engaging a small metal disc that’s attached to the wheel, which in turn presses against the brake pads. The pads then push on the rotor (which is rotating to move the wheel) which then slows down your electric scooter.

Many people prefer disc brakes over alternatives like drum brakes or electric brakes, because of their strong stopping power. Essentially, mechanical disc brakes are the most effective at bringing your scooter to a safe stop, and that is reflected in the price.

Hydraulic disc brakes are different to normal disc brakes in that they use fluid instead of air to operate. This makes them significantly more efficient and easier to maintain than their mechanical counterparts. However, they are also a lot more expensive and can be prone to leaking if not properly maintained.

Advantages of disc brakes

The main advantage of disc brakes is that they’re effective in both wet and dry conditions. Disc brakes are more responsive than drum brakes, which means they can be applied more quickly, and are more durable as well.

They also require less effort to slow down due to the fact that they don't have as much friction in the system as drum brakes do. As a result, you'll be able to stop faster and with greater precision when using disc brakes.

Disadvantages of disc brakes

The disadvantages of disc brakes are that they're more expensive, require more maintenance and are heavier than their drum counterparts. If you're looking for a scooter that's easy to store or move around, then it might be worth considering one with drum brakes instead.

The addition of disc brakes will no doubt be reflected in the price of your electric scooter, but that's the price you have to pay for the best stopping power on the market. Don't get too hung up on stopping stats though, because if you stop too quickly you risk skidding.

Foot brakes

image

Foot brakes are the simplest type of braking system, and are found on nearly all electric scooters, usually as a secondary option for peace of mind more than their stopping power.

How foot brakes work is by pushing down with your foot on a hinged fender that sits above the rear tire, creating friction on the wheel and bringing you to a slow stop.

Even though it seems like an easy feat to lift one foot off the deck and push it down on the fender, it can cause you to lose balance, so be careful when trying it for the first time. You always push on the rear tire which is why they are sometimes called a rear brake.

The advantages of foot brakes are that they don't add much weight to your electric scooter, they are very simple and don't break easily, and they require no maintenance besides maybe having to change the rear tire from heavy use.

The disadvantages of foot brakes are that they are the poorest-performing brake type, which gets even worse in wet conditions, making them quite unreliable. Also, moving your fingers to operate a brake is much more efficient than moving your whole foot, and doesn't require shifting your body.

Electronic brakes

Electric scooter brakes keep on evolving, and in the past few years they have taken another step up with the introduction of electronic brakes. This is a new technology that is activated by a switch that shorts the terminals within the motor, effectively increasing the resistance to the rotation of the motor.

Electronic brakes for electric scooters are different in how they work because a switch is used rather than a lever, so there is no need to apply pressure. Not many electric scooters have this type of brakes yet as they're a new technology, but they are gaining in popularity.

The advantages of an electronic brake are that it adds no weight to the electric scooter, and doesn't have any brake pads or brake calipers that will need replacing, so require zero maintenance throughout its lifetime.

The disadvantages of this braking system are that it doesn't afford as much stopping power as other options, but a well-implemented system will definitely make your electric scooter brake in more than enough time.

Regenerative brakes

Regenerative braking systems work in much the same way as the electronic braking option above, in that they rely on the kinetic energy of the motor on itself rather than friction from an outside source.

The main difference is that a regenerative brake will transfer the energy created back into the battery, regenerating the battery. However, this generally doesn't add much mileage at all, and until the technology improves it will probably be more of a gimmick to most experienced riders.

They are lighter than mechanical brakes because they don't have a metal disc or mounting bolts or anything like that, but regenerative brakes can be prone to failure, and won't charge the battery if it already holds a full charge.

They are low maintenance brakes, but if you're looking for more stopping power you'll want to opt for a mechanical electric scooter brake instead.

Which brakes does the Unagi Model One have?

The latest Unagi Model One comes equipped with the latest technology in electric scooter brakes, rather than mechanical brakes or regenerative brakes. It also comes equipped with a foot brake on the rear wheel, for added stopping power and extra peace of mind. This means you have brakes on both two wheels, with the front wheel hosting your primary brake.

The independent e-scooter reviewer Electric Scooter Guide said that the Unagi came to a halt in16.9 feet, which is on par with a top-of-the-range mechanical disc brake. The main benefit of electronic brakes though, is that they require no maintenance, even with a lifetime of use.

Electronic brakes work by activating a switch or lever which is usually found on the handlebars of electric scooters, which brings the motor to a stop. This causes a massive increase in physical resistance to the rotation of the motor, rapidly bringing the scooter to a controlled stop.

The addition of a manual foot brake on the rear wheel means that you can increase your stopping power when used in tandem with the electronic brakes on an Unagi, and also have peace of mind for the extremely unlikely event that motor power shuts off during your ride.

So which electric scooter brakes are the best brakes?

image

The answer to this question is quite subjective depending on what it is that you're looking for in your electric scooter braking system. Electric scooters work by creating power to move forward, which then needs power to stop quickly, usually by the application of a front brake.

If you go with mechanical, you have to choose between disc or drum. Drum brakes are less effective at bringing your vehicle to a stop than disc brakes because they don't dissipate heat as well or have as much surface area for contact with other surfaces as discs do.

Electric scooter disc brakes are the most effective in terms of having strong braking power, but are more expensive than drum brakes and require as much maintenance.

An electronic brake system adds no weight to the vehicle and does not need maintenance, making it the most reliable braking system for electric scooters on the market.

Unagi All-Access

If you're not sure if electronic brakes are the right choice for you, why not try out the latest Model One Unagi scooter with the All-Access plan. For only $49 a month, you can try out a state-of-the-art electric scooter (and its brakes) with full insurance.


Daniel Foley

Daniel Foley

Unagi Life
E scooters for camping: choosing the best electric scooter for camping - what you need to know

E scooters for camping: choosing the best electric scooter for camping - what you need to know

Taking an e scooter camping has taken off in recent years. If you have an all terrain electric scooter with enough power and battery life to climb hills and handle a heavier, more rugged terrain.

Who Invented the Scooter?

Who Invented the Scooter?

Scooters didn't just start as an alternative ride for popping tricks in the skatepark, in fact, they've been around for a really long time. These days it's quite common for people to own all manner of electric scooters and even electric mopeds, but who invented the scooter?

Scooter Rental vs Scooter Subscription: Which is Better?

Scooter Rental vs Scooter Subscription: Which is Better?

For a few years, it seemed as if city streets would soon belong to shared electric scooters and bikes. The prospect seemed to enrage as many people as it excited, and there was much wrangling over the new micromobility transportation…

Rideshare, Subway, or Scooter: The Fastest Way to Commute

Rideshare, Subway, or Scooter: The Fastest Way to Commute

Commuting is terrible, and not only in the ordinary sense of frustrating and annoying. The problem has reached the level of a public health crisis. It wastes an “astonishing” amount of “human potential,” claims The Washington Post, drains our energy…

Electric Scooters: Range vs Weight

Electric Scooters: Range vs Weight

Advances in battery technology have led to a market filled with high-quality electric scooters for everything from tooling around the neighborhood to competitive off-road racing. It’s an exciting time to buy a scooter, but also a confusing time, given the…

Electric Bikes vs Electric Scooters: Which One Should You Choose?

Electric Bikes vs Electric Scooters: Which One Should You Choose?

Micromobility has arrived. Personal electric vehicles are solving last mile problems and replacing car trips as major cities move away from car-centric infrastructure. Increasingly, commuters are realizing how much faster and easier it is to get to work on an…

Is It Worth Buying an Electric Scooter?

Is It Worth Buying an Electric Scooter?

As cities become more crowded and traffic worsens by the year, the old ways of commuting have become increasingly unsustainable. So, is it worth buying yourself an electric scooter?

Getting Scooters to Covid-19 First Responders

Getting Scooters to Covid-19 First Responders

The Covid-19 crisis has ushered in a period of sickness, fear, confusion, and fatigue across the planet. Naturally, we're all looking for a little hope. At Unagi, we're trying to carve out a humble corner of optimism by helping the…

Chicago’s North Side: 5 Wellness-Inspired Stops in the Windy City

Chicago’s North Side: 5 Wellness-Inspired Stops in the Windy City

Home to Wrigley field, beautiful skyscrapers, large parks, and public beaches along Lake Michigan, the North Side of Chicago is one of the most recognizable areas of the Windy City. The district is bordered by the Chicago River, the West…

Unagi, Deconstructed: How An E-Scooter Works

Unagi, Deconstructed: How An E-Scooter Works

It’s not magic. It might look like a bespelled work of Byzantine machinery unearthed, reformed, and refitted for a new age, but the electrical chariots of modernity are powered by ions, not alchemy. To satisfy the voracious cravings of our…

Lower East Side: 4 Insider Hangouts in NYC’s Grit-Trendy Neighborhood

Lower East Side: 4 Insider Hangouts in NYC’s Grit-Trendy Neighborhood

Complaints of rapid gentrification are nothing new to New York City. Beginning with a sharp decrease in crime stemming from Mayor Giuliani’s aggressive broken window policing of New York in the 1990s, wealth has poured, settled, rearranged, and redeployed across…

North Venice: 6 Stops in Scooter Mecca

North Venice: 6 Stops in Scooter Mecca

Venice holds a special place in California lore. From its purple sunsets and quiet canals to the bombast and theatrically of its ocean front walk, the beachside town retains prime position in the tapestry of the internationally exported West Coast…

Honolulu: 4 Stops to Feel The Mana

Honolulu: 4 Stops to Feel The Mana

In the Spring of 1795, at the end of his campaign to unify the Hawaiin islands, the great King Kamehameha I divided his army to engage the forces of his rival Kalanikupule on the southeastern portion of O’ahu. While one…

Frogtown: 7 Spots in LA’s Hidden Paradise

Frogtown: 7 Spots in LA’s Hidden Paradise

There was a young man, sitting on the cement bank of a river, fishing for carp, and the wind rose around him. A voyeur might find himself compelled to question his state of awareness, but no amount of blinking or…

Why owning an Unagi beats using Rideshare Scooters

Why owning an Unagi beats using Rideshare Scooters

It’s been eight years since Uber’s historic beta launch in San Francisco, and, despite a deluge of complaints levied by traditional transportation competitors, governments, and customers, the Uber model – and ridesharing at large – has become ubiquitous. Ease of…

A Case For Electric Scooter Ownership: The Unagi Manifesto

A Case For Electric Scooter Ownership: The Unagi Manifesto

The Rapid Growth of the E-Scooter Ownership Market A study created jointly by Unagi Scooters and UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business has found that elect estimate that 35% of scooter riders will prefer to own rather than rent,...

Your Morning Commute - Reviewing Cost vs Convenience

Your Morning Commute - Reviewing Cost vs Convenience

Unagi is proud to announce the launch of its Commute Calculator! As urban commute routes grow in volume and density, prospective commuters need access to current, up-to-date travel information in order to make informed decisions on how to get around.…

Micro-Mobility Reconnects Us by Supporting Local Culture and Sustainable Development

Micro-Mobility Reconnects Us by Supporting Local Culture and Sustainable Development

“Nice neighborhood you’ve got there. Sure would be a shame if someone put a highway through it.” So says the text over the face of Robert Moses in a meme that launched the Facebook group “New Urbanist Memes for Transit-Oriented…

Unagi Neighborhoods: Little Tokyo

Unagi Neighborhoods: Little Tokyo

Little Tokyo Los Angeles is not the best representation of European cross-continental culture. The French, Italians, Russians, and most of the great Western and Eastern European migrant groups of the 19th and 20th centuries set up footholds in New York,…

4 Unagi Approved Dates:  NYC, LA, SF, MIA

4 Unagi Approved Dates: NYC, LA, SF, MIA

We get it. Dating can be tough. The googling, the yelping, the planning, the reservations, the transportation. . .  the process can be overwhelming. Making a good first impression can also be a source of anxiety for millions of single…

4 Unagi Approved Dates

4 Unagi Approved Dates

We get it. Dating can be tough. The googling, the yelping, the planning, the reservations, the transportation. . . the process can be overwhelming. Making a good first impression can also be a source of anxiety for millions of single…

The Scooter, A History

The Scooter, A History

Two wheels and a plank. It would be a modest beginning for a mode of transportation characterized by peaks and troughs in use and popularity unrivaled by any other contemporary human propellant. Although difficult to pinpoint, it is generally accepted…

Little Tokyo

Little Tokyo

Los Angeles is not the best representation of European cross-continental culture. The French, Italians, Russians, and most of the great Western and Eastern European migrant groups of the 19th and 20th centuries set up footholds in New York, where their…

Micro Mobility & Local Culture

Micro Mobility & Local Culture

“Nice neighborhood you’ve got there. Sure would be a shame if someone put a highway through it.” So says the text over the face of Robert Moses in a meme that launched the Facebook group “New Urbanist Memes for Transit-Oriented…

Commute Calculator

Commute Calculator

Unagi is proud to announce the launch of its Commute Calculator As urban commute routes grow in volume and density, prospective commuters need access to current, up-to-date travel information in order to make informed decisions on how to get around.…

Newsworthy
Essentials
5 Reasons to Buy a Scooter This Holiday Season

5 Reasons to Buy a Scooter This Holiday Season

Are you tired of sitting in traffic, spending a fortune on gas, and constantly searching for a parking spot? Say hello to the electric scooter - your new best friend for getting around town. Let's dive into the top 5 reasons why you should buy an electric scooter this holiday season.

Maximizing Electric Scooter Battery Life: Maintenance Tips and Best Practices

Maximizing Electric Scooter Battery Life: Maintenance Tips and Best Practices

Want to get the most out of your electric scooter battery and extend your riding adventures? We've got you covered with our comprehensive guide full of maintenance tips and best practices.

Unagi All-Access: Rolling into Summer

Unagi All-Access: Rolling into Summer

With the addition of Chicago, Washington DC, Northern Maryland and Virginia, and NW Indiana, our All-Access scooter subscription service is now available to more than 75 million people. But we’re just getting started: we want to make Unagi the ubiquitous standard for short-distance transportation around the world.

The New Unagi Service Center

The New Unagi Service Center

You're already aware of many of them: Dual motors. Premium materials. Lightweight is king. And it's not difficult for anyone to see that Unagi cares about design more than any other scooter company...But the topics for today are brand, customer obsession, and our All-Access subscription service...

Unagi Springs Forward

Unagi Springs Forward

We’re launching our All-Access subscription service in six new cities, and expanding in two more. And with $10.5 million in new funding, we’re ready for takeoff in 2021...These areas represent a market of more than 30 million consumers – putting Unagi’s All-Access service within reach of 1 in every 10 Americans

The World's Fastest Electric Scooters in 2021

The World's Fastest Electric Scooters in 2021

Electric scooters are quickly overtaking other means of transportation as the best way to cover short distances. They’re lightweight, portable, convenient, and more environmentally friendly than almost any means of powered transport.

Love or Hate: 9 Studies Show What People Actually Think About Electric Scooters

Love or Hate: 9 Studies Show What People Actually Think About Electric Scooters

It’s more or less a given these days that micromobility solutions like electric scooters are part of a major transportation revolution “Among many [recent] technology milestones,” reported Government Technology, “one of them was certainly that...e-scooters became a fixture in many…

Pro Tips from Real Scooter Riders

Pro Tips from Real Scooter Riders

Telling people through paid advertisements that an electric scooter will change their life is one thing. Letting them hear it from real people who own and love their scooters is something else. Now that we all have the ability to…

Security and Locks for Electric Scooters

Security and Locks for Electric Scooters

Micromobility has already helped solve several modern transportation issues, and may reshape the way we get around in the near future. But small electric vehicle owners are still plagued by an ancient problem. Electric scooters present new security challenges, and…

No Sleep 'til Brooklyn

No Sleep 'til Brooklyn

The world’s best-designed scooters now have a New York address We’re opening the doors today on a new Unagi brand store, on Wythe Avenue in Williamsburg. We couldn’t be more excited. Our new store, located at 324 Wythe Avenue, will…

Introducing Unagi All-Access

Introducing Unagi All-Access

New Yorkers and Angelenos can now get our revolutionary electric scooters for less than $10 a week – and you won’t have to share with strangers. https://youtu.be/ZDKaTQeSBOU Two years ago, our team set out on a quest to build the…

How to Buy the Best Electric Scooter for Commuting

How to Buy the Best Electric Scooter for Commuting

The variety of electric scooters on the market has exploded in recent years, from lightweight, low-powered recreational vehicles to heavy-duty scooters built for rugged off-road use, and everything in-between. This range of options can leave consumers a little dizzy, especially…

How to Ride an Electric Scooter

How to Ride an Electric Scooter

How to Ride an Electric Scooter Maybe you’ve finally decided that a fast, lightweight, folding electric scooter meets your transportation needs, and you’ve already started looking for the perfect electric scooter. But there’s one problem—you’ve never ridden an electric scooter…

Electric Scooter Buying Tips for Adults

Electric Scooter Buying Tips for Adults

If you've noticed people in your area breezing by you on their electric scooters, you might wonder if an e-scooter would also fit your commuter lifestyle.  Well, if you want to save money, contribute to the environment, and avoid traffic, electric scooters deliver on all bases. 

Best Locks for Electric Scooters

Best Locks for Electric Scooters

5 Best Locks for Electric Scooters Owning a folding electric scooter should eliminate the need for a heavy-duty padlock or shackle to secure your ride.  That's especially true for foldable e-scooters like the Model One from Unagi, which folds down…

Best Electric Scooter Accessories Every E-Scooter Rider Needs

Best Electric Scooter Accessories Every E-Scooter Rider Needs

Looking for the best electric scooter accessories? We've rounded up the best accessories for 2023, including lights, locks, and tires.

CES Dispatch: The E500 Is A Big Upgrade

CES Dispatch: The E500 Is A Big Upgrade

Every year, the Consumer Electronics Show brings hundreds of thousands of visitors to Las Vegas in order to show off, contrast, compare, or merely gawk at the latest consumer electronic gadgets and trends We’re also in town for the show,…

5 E-Scooter Life Hacks

5 E-Scooter Life Hacks

We all know electric scooters are fun. The sun on your skin, the wind in your hair – trying one out is not a hard sell. On top of that, there are also the practical benefits of riding electric scooters.

5 Tips for E-Scooter Etiquette

5 Tips for E-Scooter Etiquette

Anyone can ride an e scooter, but not everyone who rides one rides it with the proper electric scooter etiquette. In this article, we'll cover all the dos and don'ts of electric scooter etiquette, so you can ride with confidence and consideration. Get ready to hit the road (safely) with your e-scooter!

Your Personal Liberation Device

Your Personal Liberation Device

Beginning today, Unagi Scooters is now shipping its world-class electric scooters to pre-order customers in the United States, and new orders are immediately being fulfilled “The Unagi Scooter heralds a new era for the commuting consumer who simply wants an…

Need to Knows
The 2022 Comprehensive Guide to Electric Scooter Laws

The 2022 Comprehensive Guide to Electric Scooter Laws

“Is my scooter legal?” is a question many are increasingly asking. The micromobility industry is one of the fastest-growing and most exciting in the world—with promises for...in addition to abundances of the basics of time and money savings. And with this pace of innovation comes a struggle for regulation to keep up.

Are electric scooters easy to ride?

Are electric scooters easy to ride?

So, you're thinking about joining the electric scooter revolution, huh? You've seen those sleek and stylish scooters zipping around town, effortlessly gliding through traffic, and you can't help but wonder: Are electric scooters easy to ride?

Maximizing Electric Scooter Battery Life: Maintenance Tips and Best Practices

Maximizing Electric Scooter Battery Life: Maintenance Tips and Best Practices

Want to get the most out of your electric scooter battery and extend your riding adventures? We've got you covered with our comprehensive guide full of maintenance tips and best practices.

The Comprehensive Guide to Electric Scooter Laws

The Comprehensive Guide to Electric Scooter Laws

*Disclaimer: Unagi, INC. has used best efforts, but does not in any manner guarantee the accuracy of the below findings regarding electric scooter laws in the United States or internationally. Electric scooter riders or those considering to purchase or begin…

The True Environmental Impact of Electric Scooters

The True Environmental Impact of Electric Scooters

It’s beyond question that we must drastically reduce carbon emissions in the coming years to head off the worst effects of climate change. How we do that has been a matter of considerably drawn-out debate. As individuals, it can be…

Do You Need Insurance for an Electric Scooter?

Do You Need Insurance for an Electric Scooter?

If you're considering riding an electric scooter for the daily urban commute - or even just for recreation - this article will give you the lowdown on getting insurance for an electric scooter.

Can You Ride an Electric Scooter on the Road?

Can You Ride an Electric Scooter on the Road?

New modes of transportation have been popping up all over the place thanks to incredible developments in lithium-ion battery and electric motor technology. These include electric bikes, innovative modern electric scooters like Unagi, as well as the shared scooters clustered…

Do You Need a License to Ride an Electric Scooter?

Do You Need a License to Ride an Electric Scooter?

You’ve seen them all over your city’s streets, and everyone who rides one looks absolutely thrilled. So, why haven’t you picked up your own folding electric scooter yet? Maybe you’re worried about whether e-scooters require a driver’s license, or a…

Can You Ride an Electric Scooter on the Sidewalk?

Can You Ride an Electric Scooter on the Sidewalk?

It’s a reasonable question to ask. After all, it seems like the safer option. Can you, and should you, ride an electric scooter on the sidewalk? In many cases, the answer is no: you cannot. Story after story in electric…

Are Electric Scooters Legal in the UK?

Are Electric Scooters Legal in the UK?

The legality of electric scooters in the United Kingdom (UK) is a complex issue. Currently, it's illegal to use a privately owned electric scooter on public roads, the sidewalk, or cycle lanes. You can, however, use an electric scooter on private land with the landowner's permission.

Why Electric Scooters Are a Must Have for Commuters

Why Electric Scooters Are a Must Have for Commuters

Micromobility is the “future of urban transportation,” analysts write in an extensive report from Deloitte, and electric scooters lead the way: “Adoption rates during their short time on the market have been impressive, surpassing that seen by popular ride-hailing applications…

Are Electric Scooters Legal in NYC?

Are Electric Scooters Legal in NYC?

In short, yes, electric scooters ARE legal in NYC. So, whether you're a visiting tourist, or a resident wondering whether or not electric scooters are legal in New York City, worry no more, because they are!

Public Transportation in a Post-COVID World

Public Transportation in a Post-COVID World

In only a few short months, the current pandemic has changed the way we do nearly everything, from getting to work to gathering (or not) in public. Fears of the virus multiply when it comes to public transportation. Public transit…

Electric Scooters: Range vs Weight

Electric Scooters: Range vs Weight

Advances in battery technology have led to a market filled with high-quality electric scooters for everything from tooling around the neighborhood to competitive off-road racing. It’s an exciting time to buy a scooter, but also a confusing time, given the…

Can You Ride an Electric Scooter in the Rain?

Can You Ride an Electric Scooter in the Rain?

“No” is the standard answer to the question of whether you should ride an electric scooter in the rain. But can you ride an electric scooter in the rain? There are times when it may be safe to do so…

Can You Bring an Electric Scooter on a Plane?

Can You Bring an Electric Scooter on a Plane?

Wondering whether you can take your electric scooter on an airplane? As with all things air travel-related the answer should be simple, right? As you might expect, it’s not—or not entirely—but the short answer is no, you cannot take most…

Is It Worth Buying an Electric Scooter?

Is It Worth Buying an Electric Scooter?

As cities become more crowded and traffic worsens by the year, the old ways of commuting have become increasingly unsustainable. So, is it worth buying yourself an electric scooter?

How Fast Can Electric Scooters Go?

How Fast Can Electric Scooters Go?

How Fast Do Electric Scooters Go Step aside, skateboards, electric bikes, and mopeds.  These days electric scooters are so ubiquitous, you can hardly pass by your neighborhood coffee shop, ATM, or happy hour hotspot without encountering one (or a few).…

Micro Mobility & Local Culture

Micro Mobility & Local Culture

“Nice neighborhood you’ve got there. Sure would be a shame if someone put a highway through it.” So says the text over the face of Robert Moses in a meme that launched the Facebook group “New Urbanist Memes for Transit-Oriented…

Rider Profiles
/amp/scooter-articles/our-guide-to-electric-scooter-brakes