Good write up. Don't see the cangoroo sticks on the list.
I rode all the e-scooters, and most of them are awful except two
51–60 of 152 posts
Re: I rode all the e-scooters, and most of them are awful except two
#52> We’ve restricted our entrants to scooter-type vehicles (as opposed to e-assist bicycles) And then the conclusion is that the most bicycle-like one is best because it's more bicycle-like. Seems like a category arbitrage rather than a fair analysis of mobility options.
I regularly ride my e-bike in SF but have also dabbled with the rental scooters. I have a hard time understanding the scooters' popularity, compared to a rentable e-bike like the Jump or Lime bikes. In my experience e-bikes have the advantage in top speed, stability, comfort and safety. Other than taking up marginally more space when parked, I can't think of any downsides. This matches the article author's conclusion…
I take both Jump e-bikes as well as various scooters on the regular. Honestly I prefer Jump Bikes - it's almost always cheaper and faster and safer. I definitely feel more "seen" by cars as well.
That being said, with a scooter you aren't pedaling at all. Even on an e-assist bike you're still getting the adrenaline pumping and sorta sweaty. And a lot of people are afraid of riding bikes in traffic, so while even though bikes are actually much safer, there's a lower mental barrier to entry with scooters. People who almost never ride normal bikes (which is most people) have a harder time adopting the mindset of taking a bike share, e-assist or not.
Plus scooters are straight up more fun to ride with a group of friends - it's a genuinely fun thing to have out of town friends do.
Re: I rode all the e-scooters, and most of them are awful except two
#53I was somewhat annoyed by the penalising of scooters that stopped you riding on cycle paths; presumably you aren't meant to use them on there, hence the restriction. If so, the company that limits speed to 3MPH - enough to exit the cycle path - is doing it exactly right.
Indeed. The ones he rated poorly were the ones that tried to prevent him from breaking Los Angeles City Municipal Code 63.44.
Re: I rode all the e-scooters, and most of them are awful except two
#54Ive been using an ‘adult’ push scooter for five years in an urban environment. This year I encountered the electric rentals for the first time, and bought a Xiaomi m365 (aka the Bird scooter).
I also have a normal bike. They serve different purposes.
Either version of a scooter is safer. I’ve been in a few situations where I’ve simply stepped off the plank and become an instant pedestrian, to avoid cars which would have wiped me out on a bicycle.
Re: I rode all the e-scooters, and most of them are awful except two
#55Earlier quoted context omitted.
I understand that rules for bike paths depend on local jurisdiction, but why wouldn't an e-scooter fit a bike path in Venice, CA? Over here (Finland, like all of Europe) we have roads, we have bike paths, and we have pedestrian pavements. E-scooters are always good for bike paths, and if they move faster than 15 km/h, they are not to be ridden in pedestrian areas, only bike paths, even if they are not exactly bikes.…
> Over here (Finland, like all of Europe) we have roads, we have bike paths, and we have pedestrian pavements. E-scooters are always good for bike paths Are you sure about that? Because it's not an EN15194 LEV, so whether it's considered a bike (allowed on bike paths) or a moped (not so) [edit: or are completely illegal as jdietrich reminds me] is a local / national concern. For instance France just passed a law whic…
This kind of e-scooter is illegal to use anywhere in the UK, because they don't comply with EN15194 - you can't use them on the road because they don't meet the standards for a motorcycle, nor can you use them on pavements or cycle lanes. The government has mooted creating new regulations to legalise e-scooters, but we're a bit preoccupied at the moment with, well, you know.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/mar/09/electric-sco...
Re: I rode all the e-scooters, and most of them are awful except two
#56Earlier quoted context omitted.
> And then the conclusion is that the most bicycle-like one is best because it's more bicycle-like. Seems like a category arbitrage rather than a fair analysis of mobility options. And refusing to take bike paths with not-a-bike is apparently eliminatory rather than making the device shoot up to the top of the ranking. Give the article opens up with > they want the rights of a pedestrian, the rights of a bicycle, and…
I understand that rules for bike paths depend on local jurisdiction, but why wouldn't an e-scooter fit a bike path in Venice, CA? Over here (Finland, like all of Europe) we have roads, we have bike paths, and we have pedestrian pavements. E-scooters are always good for bike paths, and if they move faster than 15 km/h, they are not to be ridden in pedestrian areas, only bike paths, even if they are not exactly bikes.…
In Los Angeles, Motorized vehicles are not permitted on sidewalks and paths. As a rider, you are liable for all personal injuries that result from your riding. Without insurance, you are putting your financial life in jeopardy. Think about it!
Re: I rode all the e-scooters, and most of them are awful except two
#57Earlier quoted context omitted.
They have true dedicated bike lanes in Paris. Taken from the car lanes to reduce most streets to 2 lanes. The only things allowed on the sidewalks are people, pets, prams, and cafe tables and chairs.
How about those moped-shaped electric wheelchair buggies? (I’ve always wondered what the proper “lane” for those is; they go fast enough and have enough momentum that they’re dangerous on the sidewalk, but they’re unprotected enough that it’s dangerous for them to be in the bike lane, let alone a car lane.) ...or do those even exist outside of America (and maybe the ex-Commonwealth)?
Here in the UK, we have two categories of mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs. If they're capable of no more than 4mph, they can be used on the pavement; if they're capable of more than 4mph but less than 8mph, they can be used on the road without a license but they do need to be registered.
https://www.gov.uk/mobility-scooters-and-powered-wheelchairs...
Re: I rode all the e-scooters, and most of them are awful except two
#58During the single day of this test, I found three Wheels with intentionally cut brake lines WTF is wrong with people? I understand these things are annoying and litter sidewalks, but intentionally cutting brakes to harm someone? Jeez, this is just shitty behavior
You know what shitty behavior is ? Riding on the sidewalks. Fucking with these scooters in any manner is a form of resistance.
Re: I rode all the e-scooters, and most of them are awful except two
#59Earlier quoted context omitted.
> Over here (Finland, like all of Europe) we have roads, we have bike paths, and we have pedestrian pavements. E-scooters are always good for bike paths Are you sure about that? Because it's not an EN15194 LEV, so whether it's considered a bike (allowed on bike paths) or a moped (not so) [edit: or are completely illegal as jdietrich reminds me] is a local / national concern. For instance France just passed a law whic…
This kind of e-scooter is illegal to use anywhere in the UK, because they don't comply with EN15194 - you can't use them on the road because they don't meet the standards for a motorcycle, nor can you use them on pavements or cycle lanes. The government has mooted creating new regulations to legalise e-scooters, but we're a bit preoccupied at the moment with, well, you know. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/m…
Indeed, thanks for reminding me, I completely forgot to note that in the initial listing despite my very example demonstrating this case: e-scooters are currently illegal in france (because as you say they comply with neither EN15194 nor motorcycle standards), they may be legal next september.
Re: I rode all the e-scooters, and most of them are awful except two
#60I was somewhat annoyed by the penalising of scooters that stopped you riding on cycle paths; presumably you aren't meant to use them on there, hence the restriction. If so, the company that limits speed to 3MPH - enough to exit the cycle path - is doing it exactly right.
Indeed. The ones he rated poorly were the ones that tried to prevent him from breaking Los Angeles City Municipal Code 63.44.
Yes, but I like the ability to make that choice. My car is not governed, why should my scooter be? This is not unreasonble, even if inconvenient thinking.