I’ve owned a private e-scooter for many years and have been using it more often over the last year despite the fact that I also use my bikes for pretty much everything.
The main advantages that I would say put e-scooters ahead of ebikes is the extremely low maintenance, extremely high portability, and the general lower cost of entry, even to get a fairly decent one.
These scooters do lack carrying capacity, and obviously you aren’t getting a workout like you would even on an ebike. However, for short trips where the goal is to get to your destination without sweat and to be able to very neatly tuck this pretty much anywhere, then I think they absolutely have their place.
There had been a sharp increase in e-scooter riders this year, but we also have a rideshare e-scooter program that hasn’t been implemented yet this year due to some kind of contract negotiation issue. So I think a lot of people are just purchasing their own and using them instead of cars or public transit. So on one hand, it’s actually a good thing, but on the other hand, I also find that almost none are wearing helmets and quite a few are riding dangerously on sidewalks.
So there’s still a lot to learn. But this is fairly new tech, and there are going to be growing pains.
Younger children on these is dangerous, though. These are nothing like your traditional kick scooter that kids would normally be riding.
Ontario, which allows them under a pilot project for any municipalities who participate. In my case, I believe all of Durham Region allows them.
Honestly, people should care less about e-scooters and more about the cars who are actually killing people. And the gas powered MOTORCYCLES on pedestrian and cycle trails.
Edit: I was using my e-scooter(s) before the Region participated in the pilot, and was never harassed about it. I also don’t ride like a jackass, so there wouldn’t have been anything for anyone to complain about.
I ride an e-bike, but a scooter is tempting. The biggest reason? Theft and parking. When I take my bike, I have to spend a few minutes at every destination finding a bike rack, finding spot, and then awkwardly locking the bike up thoroughly. Then I have to also remove the lights to my bike, as those will get stolen if I don’t take them with me. So I have to find a parking space, maneuver my bike, remove and pack away the lights, and lock the bike up with a cable and u-lock. Oh and often this is in uncovered bike parking. And I live in the PNW where it’s raining half the year. In contrast, with a scooter I can just take it right in with me to whatever building I’m going into. A scooter just sounds like a whole lot less hassle.
You’re talking about private ownership. I’m talking about the rental scooters. I don’t care if people own them as long as they aren’t the ones going 80km/h.
My problem is with the rental scooters people don’t know how to control/brake and squeeze on 2 people.
Yeah, rentals are a bit of a nuance around here too, but probably because they are still a novelty for many.
IMO, if you’re the type of person who rents often, it’s probably better to buy an e-scooter. The convenience, money saved, and comfort/performance benefits are going to be a massive advantage.
But I’d rather see idiots on rental e-scooters than idiots in multi-ton cars.
I’ve owned a private e-scooter for many years and have been using it more often over the last year despite the fact that I also use my bikes for pretty much everything.
The main advantages that I would say put e-scooters ahead of ebikes is the extremely low maintenance, extremely high portability, and the general lower cost of entry, even to get a fairly decent one.
These scooters do lack carrying capacity, and obviously you aren’t getting a workout like you would even on an ebike. However, for short trips where the goal is to get to your destination without sweat and to be able to very neatly tuck this pretty much anywhere, then I think they absolutely have their place.
There had been a sharp increase in e-scooter riders this year, but we also have a rideshare e-scooter program that hasn’t been implemented yet this year due to some kind of contract negotiation issue. So I think a lot of people are just purchasing their own and using them instead of cars or public transit. So on one hand, it’s actually a good thing, but on the other hand, I also find that almost none are wearing helmets and quite a few are riding dangerously on sidewalks.
So there’s still a lot to learn. But this is fairly new tech, and there are going to be growing pains.
Younger children on these is dangerous, though. These are nothing like your traditional kick scooter that kids would normally be riding.
What province? As some, private escooters are technically illegal to ride on the road or sidewalk they made exceptions for the company ones.
Ontario, which allows them under a pilot project for any municipalities who participate. In my case, I believe all of Durham Region allows them.
Honestly, people should care less about e-scooters and more about the cars who are actually killing people. And the gas powered MOTORCYCLES on pedestrian and cycle trails.
Edit: I was using my e-scooter(s) before the Region participated in the pilot, and was never harassed about it. I also don’t ride like a jackass, so there wouldn’t have been anything for anyone to complain about.
I ride an e-bike, but a scooter is tempting. The biggest reason? Theft and parking. When I take my bike, I have to spend a few minutes at every destination finding a bike rack, finding spot, and then awkwardly locking the bike up thoroughly. Then I have to also remove the lights to my bike, as those will get stolen if I don’t take them with me. So I have to find a parking space, maneuver my bike, remove and pack away the lights, and lock the bike up with a cable and u-lock. Oh and often this is in uncovered bike parking. And I live in the PNW where it’s raining half the year. In contrast, with a scooter I can just take it right in with me to whatever building I’m going into. A scooter just sounds like a whole lot less hassle.
You’re talking about private ownership. I’m talking about the rental scooters. I don’t care if people own them as long as they aren’t the ones going 80km/h.
My problem is with the rental scooters people don’t know how to control/brake and squeeze on 2 people.
Yeah, rentals are a bit of a nuance around here too, but probably because they are still a novelty for many.
IMO, if you’re the type of person who rents often, it’s probably better to buy an e-scooter. The convenience, money saved, and comfort/performance benefits are going to be a massive advantage.
But I’d rather see idiots on rental e-scooters than idiots in multi-ton cars.
It’s a nuisance everywhe but they must be making bank to be able to absorb all the losses from trashed scooters.
Yes, ultimately I agree with you. Micro mobility is far preferable to cars. It would be a better world if everyone was getting around on e-scooters.