EXPLAINING HOW TO RIDE AN E-SCOOTER
Written by Ed Wiles, Scootered Founder
Introduction
This post - and its accompanying video - explains the basics of riding an e-scooter, and uses the popular Xiaomi M365 as its example. This is the most popular scooter in the UK. The Ninebot-Segway ES2, the second-most popular scooter worldwide, works in an almost identical way (as do other scooters). The only real difference is the brake on an ES2 is a button rather than traditional brake.
Folding And Unfolding
First things first. Most consumer e-scooters are foldable and, as with most scooters, the Xiaomi has a simple locking system at the base of the stem. How the different e-scooters then lock into their folded position does differ. On the Xiaomi M365, the back of the bell is designed to clip onto the notch on the rear mudguard. This does, of course, mean that the bell is not removable on this scooter.
Turning On And Moving
Turn on the e-scooter by pressing the power button once. On the Xiaomi M365, pressing it again will turn on the light, while pressing it twice will turn on eco-mode (designed to preserve the battery). Even though you have turned on your e-scooter, the accelerator will not immediately work. In order to engage the motor, you have to first push-off and, once you are moving, press down on the accelerator button on the right-hand handlebar. The brake is on the left-hand side. It may be another button or more like a bicycle brake.
Standing On An Electric Scooter
There are three basic stances. Most people ride with one foot further ahead of the other (assuming you have two). In skateboarding parlance, having the left foot forward would be called the orthodox stance, while having the right foot forward would be the goofy stance. The third most common stance is with both feet together, seen in the right-hand photo. I call this the Charle Chaplin stance.
