5 Key Things to Avoid When Riding an Electric Scooter

Riding an electric scooter can be an exhilarating and convenient way to get around town, offering an eco-friendly alternative to cars and traditional transportation. However, certain behaviors should be avoided to ensure both your safety and the longevity of your scooter. With electric scooter injuries rising from 8,566 in 2017 to 56,847 in 2022—and head injuries accounting for 18.42% of all e-scooter injuries—understanding what not to do while riding is just as important as knowing proper riding techniques. Here are five critical things you should never do when you're on an electric scooter, along with the data and safety considerations behind each recommendation.

1. Ignoring Traffic Regulations and Local Laws

Electric scooters are subject to the same traffic laws as bicycles and other vehicles in most jurisdictions, yet many riders treat them as casual toys rather than legitimate vehicles requiring adherence to road rules. Running red lights, ignoring stop signs, and riding on sidewalks where it's prohibited can lead to serious accidents, hefty fines ranging from $50 to $500 depending on your location, and legal liability if you injure pedestrians or damage property. Approximately 80% of fatal e-scooter accidents occur as a result of interactions with cars, making traffic law compliance essential for survival, not just legal compliance.

Laws vary dramatically between states and even between cities within the same state. About a dozen states mandate helmets for riders under 18, while a few states require helmets for everyone when a scooter can exceed 20 mph. Washington requires helmets for all riders regardless of age, while Texas has no helmet requirement for adults over 18. Speed limits for electric scooters typically fall between 15 and 20 mph across most states—20 mph is the sweet spot nationwide, but exceeding it in 16 states bumps your vehicle into moped territory, requiring registration, insurance, and a driver's license. Seventeen states including Florida and Texas ban sidewalk riding entirely, while others allow it in certain circumstances or leave the decision to local municipalities.

Before riding in any new area, research both state and local regulations. California requires riders to have a valid driver's license or learner's permit and prohibits sidewalk riding with a maximum speed of 15 mph. New York sets a minimum age of 16 years, requires helmets for riders under 18, and enforces a maximum speed of 20 mph. Rhode Island mandates that riders be at least 16 years old with helmets required for those under 18, limits scooters to 20 mph, and prohibits sidewalk riding unless permitted locally. The common minimum age across states is 16, and only California, Arkansas, Massachusetts, and Missouri require a driver's license or permit for electric scooter operation. Violating these regulations not only risks fines but dramatically increases your accident risk—understanding and following the rules where you ride is fundamental to safe scooter operation.

2. Riding Double or Carrying Passengers

While it might seem fun to share your ride with a friend or give someone a lift, electric scooters are specifically designed for single riders. An extra passenger can unbalance the scooter, making it extremely difficult to steer, brake, and maintain control safely, especially during sudden maneuvers or emergency stops. The weight distribution changes dramatically with a second rider, often exceeding the scooter's maximum load capacity (typically 220-265 pounds for consumer models) and placing excessive stress on the motor, battery, brakes, and frame.

Carrying a passenger voids most manufacturer warranties and insurance coverage, leaving you financially responsible for any damage to the scooter or injuries sustained during an accident. The rider standing behind has no handlebars to hold, making them likely to fall off during acceleration, braking, or turns, while simultaneously destabilizing the primary rider. Even holding onto the primary rider's shoulders or waist doesn't provide adequate stability or control. If you need to transport someone, arrange separate scooters for each person or use alternative transportation methods. The momentary fun of riding double isn't worth the significant safety risks, potential legal liability if your passenger is injured, or the damage to your scooter's mechanical systems.

3. Skipping Protective Gear and Safety Equipment

Helmets, knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards, and reflective clothing are not fashion statements or optional accessories—they're essential protective gear that can save you from serious injury or death. Research shows that helmet usage reduces head injury severity by approximately 50%, yet helmet usage is noticeably lower among electric scooter riders compared to cyclists. Given that approximately 30% of e-scooter injuries involve head trauma and 20,960 injuries in 2024 were specifically head injuries, wearing a helmet should be non-negotiable for every ride, regardless of distance or speed.

At minimum, wear a CPSC-certified bike helmet that meets the CPSC Part 1203 Safety Standard, ensuring rigorous safety criteria including impact protection limiting force transmission to no more than 300 G's to the brain. However, for scooters capable of speeds above 15-20 mph, consider helmets certified to the NTA 8776 standard, specifically designed for e-bikes, e-scooters, and micromobility devices reaching up to 28 mph. NTA 8776 helmets provide more extensive coverage, especially at the back and sides of the head where impacts are more likely at higher speeds, offering superior protection compared to standard bicycle helmets.

Beyond helmets, additional protective gear significantly reduces injury severity. Gloves protect your hands during falls and increase grip on handlebars, preventing loss of control. Wrist guards provide supportive bracing that helps protect wrist bones from breaking during accidents—wrist fractures are among the most common e-scooter injuries. Elbow and knee pads provide crucial protection during falls or collisions, absorbing impact energy that would otherwise fracture bones or cause severe abrasions. Eye protection such as sunglasses or face shields prevents rocks kicked up by vehicles, debris, or insects from hitting your eyes at speed. Reflective clothing, safety vests, or reflective bands on arms and legs dramatically enhance visibility, especially at night when dark clothing makes riders nearly invisible to drivers—visibility is critical since 94% of e-scooter-related emergency department visits occurred to the rider, not pedestrians or other parties.

4. Poor Battery Practices and Charging Habits

Never overcharge your scooter's battery or leave it to charge overnight unattended. While most modern electric scooters include battery management systems designed to prevent overcharging, these systems can fail or malfunction, and overcharging can significantly reduce the battery's lifespan while potentially causing dangerous overheating that may lead to fires or explosions. Battery fires from lithium-ion batteries can spread quickly out of control, within seconds starting large fires that release toxic gases including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide.

Charge your scooter only with the manufacturer-provided charger or an official replacement specifically designed for your model. Third-party chargers may not deliver the correct voltage, current, or charging profile, stressing battery components and increasing fire risk. Always charge in well-ventilated areas on non-flammable surfaces, never on beds, carpets, or near curtains or other combustible materials. Monitor charging sessions and unplug the charger once the battery reaches full charge—don't leave scooters charging while you sleep or leave your home. If you notice excessive heat, unusual smells, hissing sounds, or battery swelling, immediately disconnect the charger and move the scooter outdoors away from buildings.

Additionally, avoid riding your e-scooter with a very low battery—below 10-20% capacity. When battery voltage drops too low, the scooter can unexpectedly shut down mid-ride, leaving you stranded in traffic or causing you to lose balance and crash when power cuts out during acceleration or while navigating obstacles. Low battery warnings should prompt you to head toward home or a charging location, not be ignored in hopes of squeezing out a few more miles. Proper battery care—charging in the 20-80% range for daily use, avoiding extreme temperatures during charging and storage, and never deep-discharging the battery completely—extends battery lifespan and maintains safe, reliable performance.

5. Neglecting Regular Maintenance and Safety Checks

Regularly check your scooter for loose bolts, worn tires, proper brake function, and other mechanical issues before every ride. Neglecting these checks can result in malfunctions during a ride which could lead to crashes, injuries, or being stranded far from home. A bolt that's slightly loose today may vibrate completely free during tomorrow's ride, potentially causing catastrophic failure of steering components, the folding mechanism, or brake assemblies.

Conduct pre-ride inspections focusing on critical safety systems. Test brakes before each ride by squeezing brake levers and ensuring firm, responsive braking—spongy or weak brakes indicate air in hydraulic lines, worn brake pads, or cable stretch requiring immediate adjustment. Inspect tires for adequate tread depth, proper inflation pressure (typically 40-50 PSI for pneumatic tires), cuts, punctures, or excessive wear—underinflated tires reduce handling and increase flat risk, while overinflated tires provide harsh ride quality and higher puncture probability. Check that the folding mechanism locks securely and doesn't wobble or have excessive play. Examine the deck, handlebars, and stem for cracks or damage. Verify that all lights function correctly, especially if riding at night. Test the throttle and brake systems to ensure smooth, predictable operation without sticking or dead spots.

Perform deeper maintenance monthly or every 100-200 miles of riding. Tighten all bolts to manufacturer specifications using a torque wrench if possible. Lubricate moving parts including the folding mechanism, brake pivot points, and any suspension components. Clean the scooter to remove dirt and debris that can accelerate wear. Inspect brake pads for remaining material—replace when they're worn to 1-2mm thickness. Check tire pressure and inflate to recommended PSI. For scooters with chain drives, clean and lubricate the chain following the same procedures used for bicycles. If you notice unusual sounds, vibrations, reduced performance, or any component that doesn't feel right, address the issue immediately rather than hoping it resolves itself—small problems caught early prevent expensive repairs or dangerous failures during rides.

Additional Hazards to Avoid

Beyond the five primary behaviors to avoid, several riding conditions and techniques require special caution. Never ride in wet conditions without adjusting your technique—wet roads greatly reduce tire grip, making it much easier to lose control, skid, and crash. When it's wet, reduce your speed by at least 30%, avoid painted lines, metal surfaces like manhole covers and grates (they become extremely slick when wet), and leave significantly more space for braking as wet conditions can double or triple your stopping distance. Avoid puddles that may hide potholes, debris, or other hazards. If you must ride in rain, brake earlier and more gently, dry your scooter thoroughly afterward to prevent rust and corrosion, and never ride through deep water that could damage electrical components.

Riding at night presents unique challenges requiring enhanced precautions. While your scooter's built-in lights provide baseline visibility, add extra lighting such as clip-on LED lights, underglow lighting, or helmet-mounted lights to improve how others see you. Wear reflective jackets, vests, or reflective bands on arms and legs—light from streetlights and passing vehicles reflects off these materials, making you visible from much greater distances. Plan night routes along well-lit streets you know well, making it easier to spot potholes, curbs, or parked cars. Reduce speed by 20-30% at night since reduced visibility gives you less reaction time for obstacles. The age group suffering the most e-scooter injuries is 15-24 year olds (23.24%), and 67.70% of electric scooter injuries in 2024 happened to males—these demographics often involve night riding and risk-taking behavior, making extra caution essential.

Conclusion

By avoiding these five critical behaviors—ignoring traffic regulations and local laws that vary significantly by state, riding double in violation of design specifications and safety principles, skipping protective gear especially CPSC or NTA 8776-certified helmets that reduce head injury severity by 50%, poor battery practices including overcharging and riding with very low charge, and neglecting regular maintenance of brakes, tires, and mechanical systems—you can dramatically reduce your injury risk and keep your electric scooter operating safely for years. Given that e-scooter accidents increased from 7,700 in 2017 to 40,400 in 2023, with 14% of accident victims requiring surgical intervention and approximately 80% of fatalities involving car interactions, taking these precautions isn't paranoid overcaution—it's evidence-based risk management. Additional considerations for wet conditions (reduce speed 30%, avoid slick surfaces) and night riding (reflective gear, additional lights, well-lit routes) further enhance safety. Remember always to stay alert, ride responsibly within your skill level, follow all applicable laws, invest in proper protective equipment, maintain your scooter diligently, and take care of your electric scooter to enjoy the freedom, convenience, and fun it offers while minimizing the very real risks that have led to exponentially increasing injury rates across the United States.