Are Electric Skateboards Safe: All Your Concerns Answered!
Traveling on skateboards is not only easy and economical, but it’s also an eco-friendly transportation method.
With the recent popularity of the electric skateboard, one can’t help but wonder: are electric skateboards safe?
Electric or not, safety is a major concern when it comes to skateboards. Today we’re going to take a closer look at e-skateboards to figure out if they’re safe to ride or not.
In addition, we’ll compare them with normal skateboards and provide you with a few tips on how to ride an electric skateboard.
Let’s get rolling!
Are Electric Skateboards Safe?
So, how safe are electric skateboards? Given that you follow the proper guidelines of riding an electric skateboard, we’d say electric skateboards are generally quite safe.
With that said, factors such as the quality of your e-board, your skill level, and your safety gear, all play a part in making your skating experience safer.
As it is with normal skateboards, to make your riding experience safer it’s best to start slow and work your way up to higher speeds. You need to first grow accustomed to your board before you start testing your limits.
Also, practice is key, the more you ride your board, the better you get at controlling it.
How Dangerous It is to Ride an Electric Skateboard
Are electric skateboards dangerous? Well, they’re as dangerous as bicycles and hoverboards.
This isn’t to say that there are no dangers of riding an electric skateboard. There are a lot of things that you need to keep in mind when using any transportation vehicle (cars, cycles, skateboards).
How fast are electric skateboards? On average electric skateboards can go from 18 mph to 28 mph. Comparatively, electronic skateboards are less dangerous than cars and motorcycles.
As cars and motorcycles are not only faster but also larger making them more dangerous. However, you need to be careful when you’re riding around people. You should maintain a certain speed limit and make sure to be careful around turns and crossings.
As electronic skateboards contain Lithium-ion or Lithium-Polymer batteries, they can be a little more dangerous than your normal skateboard. You need to make sure you stay away from wet roads and regularly check up on your battery to ensure no issues occur.
Is It More Dangerous than Riding a Normal Skateboard?
How dangerous are electric skateboards in comparison to normal skateboards?
Well, the fact that there’s a motor and battery attached to an electric skateboard makes them more different than a normal skateboard. With a normal skateboard, you’re somewhat in control of the speed.
On the other hand, with electric skateboards, you have to rely on the motor and the batteries for speed. Plus, it can take some time to get used to the speed produced by the motor.
Many electric skateboards are controlled by remote controls. Your remote acts as an extension of your limbs, which might take some time to get used to.
With the remote control and motor in the equation, electric skateboards become a bit more difficult to ride than the normal skateboard.
See also: why don't skateboarders wear helmets
Can a Beginner Ride an Electric Skateboard?
If you’re completely new to the skateboarding world, then you may want to pause before you hit the high-speed button on your remote control.
You need to first learn how to ride a skateboard before you start whizzing down the streets. It would be safer to practice balancing on a board at home first.
Once you’re comfortable with standing on the skateboard, you can try riding it around your backyard at a slow speed.
As you get a better hang of riding your electric skateboard, you can try riding it to the grocery store near your place. However, keep in mind that riding on the streets is different from practicing at home.
You need to keep an eye out for pedestrians and other vehicles.
Do Electric Skateboards Break Easily?
The life of your electric skateboard depends on three things.
First, it depends on the manufacturer of your electric skateboard. If you’ve purchased a high-quality skateboard with a reliable motor. You don’t have much to worry about.
See also: How Long Do Skateboards Last
Plus, as electric skateboards are a bit more pricey than normal skateboards, it’s better to invest in a high-quality board than to have to pay extra for repairs.
Secondly, it depends on the way you ride your skateboard. Unlike normal skateboards, electric skateboards aren’t meant to be used for tricks. The main purpose of an electric skateboard is transportation.
If you attempt to perform tricks on an electric skateboard not only will you damage your board, you are also risking your safety.
Lastly, the life of your skateboard depends on how much you look after it. As with most other products, if you don’t regularly maintain your skateboard, it’s bound to break sooner.
Keep your battery and wheels in check. Also, avoid riding over wet roads.
Tips to Ride an Electric Skateboard Safely
Here are some useful tips to keep in mind to ensure safety while riding an electric skateboard:
Safety gear is a must-have, especially for beginners. You can avoid some serious injuries just by wearing a helmet and padding.
Pay attention to where you’re skating. Keep your eyes and ears on alert. It helps to be extra careful around turns and crossings.
Avoid riding your electric skateboard around bigger vehicles like cars and motorcycles.
Try not to speed in crowded areas and always check your brakes before you start riding.
It helps to check the battery of your skateboard before every ride. The last thing you need is for your e-board to stop working in the middle of a ride.
Conclusion
We’ve discussed in quite some detail the safety of electric skateboards. As long as you follow proper riding and safety guidelines, you should be good to go.
If you’re a beginner, start slow and be sure to look both ways when riding.
