Are electric scooters safe?

Walking is pretty much a given in New York. You may walk a couple of blocks or more to get to where you need to go without giving it much thought. It is free and easy. Plus, you do not have to wait for the subway, a taxi or some other type of transportation. However, when it is extremely hot or cold outside, walking can be unbearable. Many cities have started to introduce a new option: electric scooters. While they seem like a great solution, there are many jurisdictions that are warning how dangerous they can be.

CNET explains many larger cities are taking advantage of various companies offering electric scooter rentals. These scooters seem very benign and fun to zip around on, but people are often finding, they are terribly dangerous. They do not move as fast as a vehicle on the roadway, but they move much faster than pedestrians walking on the sidewalk. Since the introduction of these scooters, there have been thousands of injuries reported. There have also been a couple of deaths.

Part of the issue with them is people do not know how to ride them safely. You can pretty much rent one without any hassle or having to go through even basic training. Since they are so new, many locales have no laws or regulations in place for this type of service. This leads to people not knowing where to drive the scooter or how to drive it safely.

There are also quality issues. Scooters have the possibility of brakes locking up or failing or other mechanical issues that could put you at great risk when riding.

If you want to try out a scooter, be smart about it. Make sure you understand how it operates. Report any issues right away, and be aware of those around you, including vehicles. This information is for education and is not legal advice.