What are the benefits of an electric scooter vs other transportation?

Are you trying to find the quickest way to get around your city?

Well, your answer might just be a fast electric scooter.

As cities around the world try to find ways to deter cars from driving to the main part of town, light electric vehicles are becoming a popular option.

More areas are trialling shared e-scooter ride schemes and more countries are starting to legalise the use of personal electric scooters.

So, with all that in mind – how do electric scooters stack up against other modes of transportation including walking?

We’re going to discuss all of this so keep reading to learn more.

Are electric scooters better than cars?

You have to look at the pros and cons of both. For diehard car enthusiasts, there’s probably no way to convert them to an electric scooter and if you live in a rural town, it’s almost impossible to get around without a car. 

However, there are many downsides to owning a vehicle including:

-   Cost

-   Size

-   Bad for the environment

Size vs portability

If you live in an area that only has on-street parking, then you’ll know how frustrating it is when you can’t find a park. Driving around the block hoping for a parking spot is not only frustrating but it’s time-consuming.

When it comes to inner-city living, owning an electric scooter is the most portable of powered personal transport. Even motorbikes require a license and insurance to ride, plus you need to find parking.

The Raine One is a foldable electric scooter and can be taken inside, so you won’t have to worry about parking or finding somewhere to lock it up.

Are electric scooters better than public transport?

Electric scooters don’t have to replace public transport, but rather be used in conjunction with it as a ‘last mile’ solution. People often disembark a bus or train and are still a few miles (or kilometres) away from where they need to be. This is where electric scooters can be extremely useful to save having to walk a long distance. 

Some people may prefer to ride an electric scooter over catching public transport because they don’t like being in a confined space with a lot of people.

The reliability and speed of public transport in your area can also affect your decision to ride an e-scooter.

For example, someone living in a city like Tokyo has access to an incredible subway network, but not everybody has that luxury. 

If the only public transport in your city is buses that are always late or rarely show up, then riding an electric scooter to work might be a safer option rather than turning up late every second day.

Are electric scooters better than bikes?

When it comes to exercise, bicycles are definitely going to give you a better work out, but for commuting to work the electric scooter is the winner.

Break a sweat vs no sweat

No one wants to sit in a meeting room with someone who’s clearly perspiring and a little smelly. While showering at work is an option for some people, others don’t have that luxury and deodorant can only hide so much. Riding to work on an electric scooter will get you there without even breaking a sweat.

Theft

Unfortunately, the downside of living in a big city is that you have to be a bit more careful with your belongings. How many times have you walked past a bike chained up with its wheels missing? The great advantage of owning an electric scooter is that you can keep it under your desk at work or leave it in your apartment where it’s much less likely to be stolen or damaged.

Are electric scooters faster than walking?

The average person walks 3-4 mph (4.8-5.4 km/h) while the average electric scooter can travel at 16 mph (25 km/h), which is quite a big difference.

Walking is great for exercise and sometimes it’s nice to go for a stroll along the beach or river. However, if time is a constraint then getting from A to B is going to be much more efficient on an electric scooter. The Raine One is a fast electric scooter that can reach speeds of 28 mph (45 km/h), which is far higher than the average e-scooter.

How much does an electric scooter cost?

What are the benefits of an electric scooter vs other transportation?

The cost of electric scooters can vary from as little as $200 to top of the end range that cost a few thousand dollars. The Raine One costs USD $1,500 and has excellent acceleration, suspension and range. It’s made of high-quality aircraft grade materials and has great safety features, so you’ll feel secure while riding at speed.

Can you ride an e-scooter on the pavement?

It depends where you live. Many city councils specify that electric scooters must be ridden in bicycle lanes on the road so that pedestrians can move around safely. It’s best to check your local council’s website if you’re unsure where you can and can’t ride your electric scooter.

Should I get an electric scooter or a car?

This really comes down to your individual needs and preference. You might need a car because you need to drive your children to school or you work a job that requires a car. In that case, owning a car makes a lot more sense.

If owning a car is somewhat of an inconvenience because you only have access to on-street parking or you live close to the city where it’s faster to ride than drive, then an electric scooter is probably a great way to commute to and from work.