Save time – read this bit
Yes you absolutely need a helmet if you’re planning on either buying or renting an electric scooter. Although they typically go slower than cycles and motor bikes, you need to protect your head from trauma and there are many things that can catch you out.
But, I’m not going fast enough to need a helmet
One of the most common misconceptions with Electric scooters is that you’re not going fast enough to need protection for your head.
Come on, I’m only riding a short distance
Statistically, you’re less likely to fall off and bump your noggin if it’s a shorter distance. And many people will take the scooter a short ride and walk the rest of the way to work, or through a college campus. Even on such a short distance, you’re still subject to the same bumps, mishaps and accidents as on longer rides, especially if you take that route frequently. So sorry, you’ll still need a helmet.
What kind of accidents can happen on a scooter?
Collisions with other people on scooters
There’s not exactly and tests right now as there are with driving. Pretty much anyone can hop on an electric scooter and have at it. One common accident than happens is some form of collision with another scooter driver. Just like driving a car, you can be as careful as you want to but the other rider might not be.
The real problem here is that the impact will not only just be your speed, but it’s also the speed the other scooter rider is travelling at.
Letting go of the handle bars
Unlike cars, a momentary letting go of your scooter’s handlebars is all it takes to wipe out a scooter (and possibly some of body parts). Something as unexpected as a plastic bag flying into your face can trigger a reaction to lift up your hands and you might just make the next fail compilation.
Make your helmet even more protective
If you’re planning to ride your scooter at night, you can make it even safer by picking up some super-cheap reflective tape. Yeah, it’s kinda boring but it makes such a huge difference to drivers on the road. Their headlights will bounce of the tape and you’ll be far more visible, and safe, at night.
How can scooter manufacturers help people wear helmets?
One thing they could start doing is adding warnings to the packaging, ads and manuals.