BASE published a great guide to scooter safety on Facebook this week. I thought it would be good to share here too since many of the items are important for bike safety too.
Summer is here and the kids will be roaming the streets for the next few months. It’s important to know the rules, be aware of your surroundings, and give the kids the freedom to be out there having fun and learning a little independence.
From the BASE flyer with some commentary and bike edits from me.
Safety Tips For Electric Scooters And Bikes
WEAR PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Helmets, kneepads, and elbowpads reduce the risk of being killed or seriously injured in a fall or collision. Remember, concussions add up. You don’t want too many when you’re young.
CHECK FOR DAMAGER BEFORE RIDING
Ensure handlebars, brakes, throttle, bell, lights, tires, cables, and frame are in good condition. I see a lot of bikes in bad shape at the shop. Make sure everything is working.
ALERT OTHERS AND BE SEEN
Expect vehicles not to see you. If possible, use a bell to alert others and avoid abrupt movements. Add a light or two so you can been seen at dusk and after dark.
WATCH FOR OBSTACLES
Uneven surfaces and small objects can stop a scooter suddenly. Go slow when approaching bumps. Flying off a bike or scooter at 15 MPH is really bad. Trust me, I’ve done it. The streets and sidewalks can be a real obstacle course.
RIDE SOLO
E-scooters are meant for one person. Additional riders increase the risk and severity of collisions. Same goes for bikes. Pegs are fun, but don’t let your friends ride on them. They are just for grinding.
AVOID DISTRACTIONS WHILE RIDING
Listening to music or using your phone while riding prevents you from paying attention to the surroundings. DO NOT use earbuds while biking or scootering. Same goes for adults too. I took the phone mount off my bike years ago and don’t miss it a bit. You don’t need to see your phone on your bike or scooter. Just don’t.
NO STUNTS
Stunts can damage an e-scooter and make it unstable. Always keep both hands on the handlebars. Mountain biking is fun, has built in (safe) peril, and keeps you out of traffic. Join the Janesville Mountain Bike NICA team.