Electric unicycles are a fast, lightweight and extremely cool way to get around but how safe are they, and should you take your life in your hands, or go for a more traditional electric ride?
Are Electric Unicycles dangerous?
Electric Unicycles are not dangerous as such. In the hands of a skilled rider, they’re no more dangerous or safe than an e-scooter. They are, of course, far less stable than a scooter as they’re a wheel or two short. Wearing a helmet and gloves at least are essential as your head and hands are the areas you’ll need to protect in a fall.
There’s no doubt that riding one of these fascinating machines takes a lot more time and commitment than jumping on an e-scooter – something anyone can do.
While the Segway system helps with some self-balancing, you’re going to have to practice to be able to fluently ride an electric unicycle (or EUC, for short).
Are Electric Unicycles more dangerous than other electric rides?
For anyone wondering whether they should get an e-scooter or a unicycle to ride around in, let’s look at which is the safer option.
EUCs can handle bumps better
EUC’s tend to be better at going over bumps than your average scooter (excluding off-road petro variety!) That larger wheel is going to handle dips, bumps and gaps in the surface a lot better than a 10″ wheel on an electric scooter.
Scooters are more stable
It’s hard to recommend an electric unicycle over a scooter when it comes to stability. Anyone can master a scooter quickly but the nuances of a motorized unicycle make it a more unstable choice with the potential for more awkward falls.
Are EUCs safe for beginners?
Here’s a simple guide to how to learn to ride your EUC
Are EUCs safer than old-school unicycles?
Yes and no! On the one hand, traditional unicycles are famously difficult to ride. (Juggling is optional). The road to mastery is paved by countless falls, bumps and frustration. Learning the EUC is really nowhere near as complicated.
But those older single-wheeled bikes aren’t capable of speeds of 20mph, like some electric ones are. The electric variety brings a whole new world of possible falls at high speeds.
Electric unicycle safety tips
So let’s look at some ways you can stay safe on your shiny new electric unicycle.
- Get the right gear
- Master the control
- Make sure you’re fully charged
- Keep off the roads
Summing up: is it safe to ride EUCs?
While most people have had a good amount of time with electric scooters, for most, unicycles still have that wow factor.
It’s easy to see why they’re so popular. They’re arguably a lot more fun than your regular scooter or bike.
However, they also pose a challenge for anyone looking for a novel way to get around. So long as you take time to master the control, take care of your unicycle and use it in a safe place, it’s safe to ride one.