Electric scooters have conquered the world! Contrary to popular belief, e scooters are not that new. They were actually created in 1996, though it is only today that electric scooters have taken off.
The interest started with electric scooter rentals in big cities. It was all fun and games until people discovered that getting from point A to B was fast, economical, and hassle-free. After this revelation numbers of electric scooter purchases around the world reached impressive figures. The market nowadays, is flooded with different electric scooter brands, models to keep up with their popularity.
If something is popular, everyone wants to know about it, so I’ve put together some frequently asked questions about e scooters and the answers. For example, what are areas electric scooter allowed to travel? Can a e scooter be riddern through general traffic,bike lane or footpath? What age are electric scooters for? While these questions are fairly straightforward, the answers can be pretty complex. The perfect answer is to know the various State and Territory laws and regulations in your local area.
Electric scooter Australia laws
General rules on electric scooters in Australia are fairly consistent from State to State however, as an e scooter rider, it is your responsibility is to know and follow the electric scooter Australian laws, rules, and regulations and to check for them specifically in your State. Let’s explore a few examples below:
Do you need to wear a helmet while riding an electric scooter?
Do you need to wear a helmet while riding an electric scooter?Yes, wearing a helmet is a requirement in Queensland, just the same as you would wear one while riding a bike in public.
Can I ride my electric scooter on the sidewalk or the road?
Full-sized electric scooters are considered street-legal and are not allowed on a bike path or sidewalk. The speed capability of electric scooters reaching approximately 56-104 km per hour are designed to be ridden on the road. You should check your local government and State or Territory laws to confirm where you can ride your electric scooter.
Do I need a licence to ride an electric scooter Australia?
In some Australian States and Territories, such as SA, QLD, NT & WA, you only need to have a driver’s license to ride an electric scooter, which means there’s no need for a motor bike licence.
However, in other Australian States and Territories like NSW, ACT, TAS & VIC, you can only ride an electric scooter after undergoing training and when the motorised scooter passes the appropriate testing.
What age are electric scooters for and how old do kids need to be to ride an electric scooter?
All children below 12 years of age should not be permitted to ride any motorised scooters or electric scooters in public places without an adult.
Every country, State and Territory have their own set of age requirements for riding electric scooters, though 16 yrs old and above seems to be the common age bracket. Some countries do not require a licence for children aged 16 yrs old and above to ride electric scooters in public places.
It is up to you to check the laws relating to electric scooters and to confirm with your local motor vehicle office. In Queensland, see Skateboards, foot scooters and similar.
Can an electric scooter handle gravel and dirt roads?
The brand and type of electric scooter determine whether it can ride on gravel and dirt roads. Not all electric scooter models are designed for dirt and gravel roads.
One way to find out is to take a look at the mechanism and tyres of the electric scooter. The electric scooter models that have inflated air tyres or flat rubberised tyres are great to use for dirt and gravel roads. The electric scooter with flat rubber tyres may work exceptionally well with gravelly roads, however, they may not be able to handle bumpy roads.
The best tyres you can use are inflated air tyres. Having this feature ensures a perfect ride in all types of terrains. The shock-absorbing quality of the tyres readily absorbs the bumps. Remember though, there are probably going to be instances when the tube inside the tyres can rupture because of the gravel on the road.
Is it safe to ride an electric scooter when it’s raining?
Riding an electric scooter when it’s raining is not recommended. However, there are electric scooters that are designed to handle the rain but it may take longer to apply the brakes because of the wet roads.
Water-resistant electric scooters are available on the market and are safe to use when you are caught in the rain. If you keep in mind that the water and electrical equipment are not compatible, then it might be best to leave your electric scooter at home when it is raining.
What is the battery life of an electric scooter?
The best batteries to use for electric scooters are the Li-on batteries. From a single charge you can scoot approximately 8-16 kilometres, roughly 30-40 mins scooting time. The charging cycles between 500-1000 are the typical lifespan of Li-on batteries. Recharging them every 3 months is necessary if the electric scooter is stored for a period of time.
How long and how often should you charge the electric scooter?
Here are some suggestions to follow when charging the battery of your electric scooter:
- Charge batteries in a cool spot to prevent overheating.
- If possible, charge slowly. In particular small battery packs have to be charged slowly.
- Some chargers automatically switch off when the battery is full, this prevents overcharging. Automatic chargers are smart investments.
- A stored electric scooter should be recharged every 3 months.
How much does an electric scooter weigh?
The weight can vary anywhere from 4kg up to approximately 20kg.
The bottomline is, you should your own electric scooter research. Most importantly it is your responsibility to check the rules and regulations relating to electric scooters in your local area, State and Territory.