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The Rise of the Electric Scooter

blog.codinghorror.com

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Re: The Rise of the Electric Scooter

#151

Post by walshemj »

trenning wrote: post #96

I'd love to get an electric scooter for commuting but my commute is a little long (and very hilly in Seattle). I occasionally commute on my electric bike though and it's a blast. It's also the fastest mode of travel hands down in the city, second only to my regular motorcycle. The biggest thing with these low end electric bikes/scooters is that they have a hard time with the hills and really slow down and burn throug…

I think with hilly areas having regenerative breaking helps as you can regain some of the loss on the way down.

Re: The Rise of the Electric Scooter

#152

Post by sagichmal »

closetohome wrote: post #134
mips_avatar wrote: post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's why you need bigger better wheels. I agree that going above 15 on a Xiaomi scooter is terrifying, but on the Boosted Rev, it's smooth as butter.

> That's why you need bigger better wheels Or just one big one! https://onewheel.com I switched to one of these after having a few too many wipeouts on a longboard. It's been fantastic.

It's wild that someone managed to manufacture a last mile transport device that makes the rider look even more of a goober than the scooters.

Re: The Rise of the Electric Scooter

#153

Post by sagichmal »

mikepurvis wrote: post #114
tonyedgecombe wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can’t imagine doing 25mph on such small wheels, one small pothole and you will be off.

Electric skateboards all go that speed and faster, and their wheels are even smaller— usually around the 80-100mm diameter range.

Electric skateboards are no less dangerous.

Re: The Rise of the Electric Scooter

#154

Post by walshemj »

dawhizkid wrote: post #109

I wonder why mopeds have never taken off in the US. Seems more practical than a scooter for medium to long distances within a city. I have relatives in Taiwan and mopeds are everywhere there (and other parts of Asia).

I think cars a cheaper relatively in the USA also a lot of places I believe you need to pass the test for a full bike licence. That is a 900 -1200cc super bike that can do a very good time round the TT course or the ring.

Re: The Rise of the Electric Scooter

#155

Post by rvanmil »

I've been riding a Micro Falcon X3 for a few months now. Almost all electric scooters are illegal here in The Netherlands, but Micro sells two models which were adjusted to be legal; the throttle has been disabled and you have to actually kick to start moving and keep kicking regularly to keep the electric motor going.

My experience with it is it's a very fun way to commute and I prefer it to my bike. Most of the time I'm moving faster than all bikes, but just like the article I do agree with the 15 mph speed limit, because I really don't want to be going any faster with this thing. When I just started riding and was still learning how to stand and keep in control, a couple of times it shot away from under my feet and I hit the road pretty hard (on my feet luckily).

I'm not wearing a helmet or any other protective gear, I don't think that is necessary anymore than when riding a bike in NL (we have bike lanes everywhere). But if I had to travel on the road with cars then I probably would wear a helmet.

As for the goofy look mentioned by others in the comments, I don't know if that's true and I'm not the type of person that cares. I do get a lot of people looking at me though, but that's probably because they hardly ever see an electric scooter around here, or they think I'm doing something illegal and in NL the rules are the rules and deviation is not acceptable! ;)

Re: The Rise of the Electric Scooter

#156

Post by monksy »

joefourier wrote: post #48
mturmon wrote: post #27

Honest question: How do people lock these things if visiting a shop for a half-hour? (Edited to add: Sorry for confusion! I'm talking about an owned model like the one in OP, the Xiaomi Mi M365 - I looked at some product imagery and it wasn't clear if this was possible.)

I bring mine inside and wheel it around while I shop. It takes up about as much space as a trolley or pram, so it's never inconvenienced anyone.

While you're at it, move out of the way I'm pushing my motorcycle through there.

Re: The Rise of the Electric Scooter

#157

Post by reneherse »

tick_tock_tick wrote: post #59
shafyy wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've been biking for 2 years in SF and disagree that it's impractical for short trips. Why do you think that?

You have the deal with the bike afterwords. Go for brunch in the mission and your friends are going back to the outer sunset with a scooter just fold it up and put it in the car with a bike either hope it's there when you get back, bike all the way, or go home then head over alone.

For people who are REALLY into bikes, a "rinko bike" helps with this. For general use however, I'm convinced about using a scooter as described above by the GGP.

Re: The Rise of the Electric Scooter

#158

Post by hadlock »

Slimbo wrote: post #4

Isn't the best solution for "last mile" for all of us is to walk it?

In Dallas (and other southern cities, Atlanta, Houston, Phoenix etc) your evening commute might involve 20 minutes of walking in 100F/37C which is rather unpleasant. You are drenched in sweat if you're wearing a button down shirt and slacks. I put up with this on a bicycle in my mid-20s but now in later years I would rather just call an uber than be totally miserable.

In July-August-September it can be over 90F/32C in the morning commute, with 90%+ humidity.

Breezing along in 100F on a scooter at top speed you might still sweat a little bit from the sun, but not much.

Re: The Rise of the Electric Scooter

#159

Post by dsfyu404ed »

ljf wrote: post #127
smashah wrote: post #116

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ebikes are technically restricted to 15mph here. The micromobility laws in the UK are a complete joke and driven by car and tier 1 manufacturers lobbying (e.g Bosch via EU). EBikes and scooters are hands down the best solution to London's pollution issue yet people are getting fined for using them. There is a complete lack of logic in the rulings. The reason why escooters are illegal whereas EBikes are not: throttle.…

The speed limitation is down to the fact that they don't need insuring. Like pedal bikes the idea is that they will cause limited injury or damage to property in the event of a crash. Up things to 25mph, plus the frame/battery weight needed to add strength and safety to accelerate and brake swiftly, and suddenly you have plenty of energy to damage a car or other piece of property or hurt a human (yes I know cyclists…

The fact that you're suggesting insurance and registration are to be expected for any class of vehicle short of a moped is completely foreign to me.

Re: The Rise of the Electric Scooter

#160

Post by mikestew »

mturmon wrote: post #27

Honest question: How do people lock these things if visiting a shop for a half-hour? (Edited to add: Sorry for confusion! I'm talking about an owned model like the one in OP, the Xiaomi Mi M365 - I looked at some product imagery and it wasn't clear if this was possible.)

Depends on the scooter. On the Xiaomi in question, yes, I've found it to be problematic. The solution is the Masterlock handcuff lock. One end around the tube between deck and bars, the other end around a post.

The Boosted Rev I have now has exposed frame rails so you can use your favorite bike lock.

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