Electric Scooter vs Kick Scooter: Which One’s Better?

Are you looking for a more exciting way to get around town?

The answer might just be getting a scooter. 

There’s probably a high chance that you rode a manually operated kick scooter when you were a child, but nowadays there are also electric scooters available on the market.

You might be thinking – am I too old for a scooter?

The answer is no.

There are plenty of adults commuting to work on a scooter, whether it be electric or not.

Now the main question is, which one do you choose? We’re going to explain everything there is to know about kick scooters versus electric scooters, so you can determine which one is best for you.

What is a kick scooter?

A manually operated kick scooter is a two-wheeled vehicle with handlebars and a deck where the feet are placed. This kind of scooter requires the person to power it by using one foot to push off the ground. Kick scooters are easier to ride than bicycles and are extremely fun. There are kick scooters that are made for children, but you can also find plenty of kick scooters designed  for adults. 

What is an electric scooter?

From the outside, an electric scooter looks very similar to a kick scooter but with extra features. An electric scooter is battery-powered, so the speed is determined by using the throttle to accelerate. The top speed can vary depending on the model but no leg work is required by the rider. However, if an e-scooter runs out of battery, you cannot continue riding it manually.

Due to the electrical parts inside an electric scooter, they tend to weigh more than a regular kick scooter. However, with technological advancements, manufacturers are finding new ways to create lighter frames.

What are the advantages of a kick scooter?

Kick scooters are a great way to get outdoors, particularly if your job requires you to sit at a desk most of the day. Below we have outlined some of the key advantages of riding a kick scooter.

Short commutes

Travelling long distance on a kick scooter isn’t ideal because it does require leg work. However, for shorter trips such as going to the shops or the bus stop, a kick scooter is much quicker than walking. In saying that, if you do need to travel long distances, kick scooters can be simply folded up and carried with you on public transport until ready to use again

Eco-friendly

Kick scooters are completely eco-friendly, as they don’t produce any emissions. While electric scooters are a lot better for the environment than petrol-guzzling cars, they still require some level of energy to charge and operate. The only energy kick scooters require is the rider’s stamina and fitness abilities to propel the scooter along the road. 

Health and fitness

Strapped for time and wasting money on a gym membership? Perhaps it’s time to try riding a kick scooter to work. Adults should get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, but that can be challenging when sitting in front of a computer all day.

On top of balancing work, family, studies and various other obligations, physical exercise often gets pushed down the list of priorities. That’s why riding to work is an easy way to get that daily exercise in without even having to think about it.

Kick scooters might not look like they’d give you a good workout, but you’d be surprised how sore your legs are after a long ride. By stabilising yourself whilst riding a scooter, you’re not only engaging your thigh and glute muscles but also strengthening the core.

Easy to ride

Anyone can ride a kick scooter. While it’s probably a good idea to practice down a quiet street before riding next to cars, most people will get the hang of it pretty quickly.

What are the advantages of an electric scooter?

Electric scooters make a person’s commute to work a breeze. Many cities are trialling e-scooter share schemes, which is increasing their popularity with some governments providing incentives for people to trade their cars in for electric vehicles, such as electric scooters. Below are some of the top advantages of an electric scooter.

Portability

There are many foldable electric scooters available on the market, which is great when an e-scooters needs to be carried up stairs or onto public transport. While bikes need to be left chained up outside, an electric scooter can simply be wheeled into a building and folded up.

People who leave their bike on the street run the risk of having it stolen, whereas  electric scooters can easily be stored under a desk or leaned against a wall. The Raine One electric scooter only weighs 15 kgs (33 lbs), making it incredibly easy to transport it from home, onto the train and to the office.

Safety

Safety features of an electric scooter should be a major consideration when researching different brands. Compared to kick scooters, electric ones have excellent brakes and lighting because they can travel at much higher speeds. E-scooters usually have front and rear brakes, as well as tires with good traction so the rider can brake faster with better stability. 

Electric scooters, like the Raine One have an ABS braking system and LED lighting so that the rider is visible in the dark.

Speed

One of the major advantages of an electric scooter over a kick scooter is its speed. While a kick scooter is limited to a person’s ability to propel themselves forward, an electric one has a powerful motor with some electric scooters able to reach speeds of 50 km/h (31 mph) or more.

If you’re looking for a fast electric scooter, it’s important to not just look at the motor power, but also its range. It’s great to have an electric scooter that’s fast, but if it only has a range of 10 km, then you’ll need to recharge it regularly.

Comfort

Looking for a cruisy way to commute to work? Electric scooters require the rider to do very little. On a kick scooter, the person has to push the scooter forward, but on an e-scooter they simply have to use the throttle. That makes riding to work a comfortable experience. Look for an electric scooter with high quality tires and suspension, as this will cause less impact on your body when going over bumps in the road.

Some electric scooters, such as the Raine One even have heated handlebars. For maximum comfort in the colder months, you might consider purchasing some electric scooter gloves.

How do you charge an electric scooter?

An electric scooter will have an indicator to show that the battery is getting low. It’s better to charge the battery before it’s completely drained, as this can impact the battery’s longevity.

Different e-scooter models charge in different ways. Some models will require removing the battery from the main body of the scooter and plugging it into a charger. Newer models have in-built batteries, so you can plug the cord directly into the scooter and charge it this way. 

If you are unsure how to charge your electric scooter, check the manual that came with it.

Is a kick scooter good for commuting?

As long as you feel safe and confident riding to work on a kick scooter, then it’s a good way to commute. Riding a scooter is around four times faster than walking, so it’ll save you a lot of time. Many larger cities also have bike tracks that are separate from the main road, so you can ride safely away from the traffic.

If you live quite far and riding a scooter the whole way just isn’t feasible, you can easily fold your scooter and carry it onto public transport. You’ll still be able to ride your scooter once you disembark the bus or train.

Should I ride a kick scooter to work?

Riding a kick scooter to and from work is a great way to get some exercise. Especially after a stressful day, the last thing you probably want to think about is work and hopping on a scooter is a great way to forget about it.

If you catch public transport to work, the cost can start to add up. Riding a scooter is completely free and you can keep it next to your desk during the day.

How far can you commute on a kick scooter?

It depends how fit you are. There are people who can ride up to 20 km (12 miles) without getting fatigued, while others who are just starting out might only be able to travel 2 km (1.2 miles).

It’s a good idea to start off doing short trips and then building up to longer ones because your leg muscles will be sore the next day.

The type of terrain you ride on will also determine how far you can ride. Flat, smooth roads will be much easier to traverse than going uphill.

Is an electric scooter good for commuting?

Electric scooters are great for commuting because you can zip around without breaking a sweat. If you’re meeting a friend and running late, you can get there a lot faster on an electric scooter than walking.

For people living in a big city, it can be a pain to get around by car because you’re constantly stuck in traffic. Electric scooters for commuting are the perfect solution to getting around efficiently.

Should I ride an electric scooter to work?

Many people see light electric vehicles as the answer for solving the congestion problem that happens in cities around the world. For people who live in the inner city, there’s no point in driving a car to work because it’s hard to find a parking spot, it’s expensive to park and it’s usually quicker to get there by public transport.

An average electric scooter can travel between 20-30 km/h (12.4-18.6 mph), making it a more efficient way to get to work. Public transport can also be extremely crowded during peak hour, whereas on an e-scooter you have plenty of space around you.

How far can you commute on an electric scooter?

It depends on the range of your electric scooter. Long range electric scooters are excellent if you’re travelling long distances. The Raine One electric scooter has a range of 40 km (24.8 miles). Keep a charger at work, so that your e-scooter can be charged during the day and will be ready to go when it’s time to go home.

Can you use an electric scooter as a kick scooter?

Electric scooters are not designed for manual operation. If your e-scooter runs out of battery, it’s best to catch public transport or taxi home.

There are some electric scooters that can be used manually, but it’s impractical, will tire you out quickly and it’s often against the manufacturer’s recommendation.

Is a kick scooter or electric scooter safer?

Electric scooters are much faster than kick scooters, but they usually have much better safety features to keep the rider safe both during the day and at night. It comes down to how likely the rider is to take risks. Both kick scooters and electric scooters are safe to ride.

Cars are much more of a danger to scooters than vice versa because they are bigger and more powerful. The most important thing is to always wear a helmet and pay attention to what’s happening on the road.