It must be borne in mind that this type of vehicle cannot circulate on the sidewalk, and that not everyone uses their electric scooter correctly and this can cause accidents with pedestrians
Electric scooters, like other technological inventions or devices, have appeared to make our lives easier. In this case,
to be able to move around the city, without the need to use other means of transport. But to be able to do it safely, it is very important to use common sense when we circulate with them.
According to the DGT, scooters and VMP (with one or more wheels and a single seat) are defined and considered vehicles for all purposes, so they will be obliged to comply with traffic regulations, as do cars or motorcycles (alcohol, drugs, etc.). Are excluded
vehicles for people with reduced mobility. They must circulate between 6 and 25 km / h and can never do it on the sidewalks. They will also be prohibited from circulating on interurban roads, crossings, highways, highways or urban tunnels.
In addition to these considerations, from
TÜV SÜD They provide us with some recommendations for you to use your electric scooter safely:
· Choose your electric scooter well. When buying your electric scooter,
make sure it is approved. Keep in mind that in the market you will find all kinds of electric scooters, with a clear price difference. And is that sometimes cheap is expensive and some of them have not passed the appropriate quality controls.
· If you’ve never used one, practice before riding it. It is crucial that you first get used to the scooter and improve your riding technique from the beginning. If you drive your electric scooter correctly, the risk of accidents will be lower. Before making long trips, get used to your scooter by practicing in controlled areas, in places and / or times of the day when there are not too many cars or pedestrians.
You will see how, little by little, you drive it with greater fluidity. Get used to putting both hands on the handlebars and using the brakes correctly. Use them not only when you want to stop, but also when you are going to make a turn and to control the descent on slopes.
· Drive always protected. When you drive with an electric scooter, just like when you do it on a bike or motorcycle, you also run the risk of having an accident, so
you can’t leave your helmet at home. The DGT is drafting regulations for the circulation of these vehicles. You can reinforce your safety by wearing other items such as gloves, protectors on wrists, elbows and knees, etc.
· Use it in authorized areas. It is very common to think that we can use our electric scooter anywhere, for example, on the sidewalk or the bike lane. And it is a mistake to think that, since
are spaces reserved for pedestrians and bicycles respectively. You must use the places authorized for this: in most cities, this type of vehicle must circulate on the road. However, as the regulations can vary between municipalities, we recommend that you inform yourself well before starting to circulate with the scooter in your city.
· Respect the rules of the road. It is extremely important for your safety and that of others. When we drive an electric scooter, it is important to know that there is a speed limit. AND
These “vehicles” are limited to 25 km / h. In addition, when using the road, there are some rules that you must comply with: give way to other vehicles when it touches, do not skip the traffic lights, be careful in the zebra crossings so as not to run over passers-by with your scooter, etc.
· Greater caution in adverse situations. Always look for the guarantee that the scooter meets the European standards of safety and quality or CE homologation. If you drive at night, keep in mind that visibility is much lower than during the day. Use the lights of the scooter to see well
, and put on a reflective vest to make sure other vehicles or users will see you well. On the other hand, if it is raining or too windy, we recommend not using the electric scooter if it is not strictly necessary. Driving an electric scooter in circumstances like these is very dangerous, and in such cases it is better to prevent and use safer alternative means of transport. If in an extreme situation you need to take the scooter in the rain, we recommend:
· Control speed. Remember that on wet floors the wheels lose grip and you can slip. Caution with road painting of roads,
they are usually slippery with wet pavement.
· Do not lean forward. This gesture can lead to dangerous falls.
· Do not go through puddles.
Water could get into the battery compartment and damage your scooter.
· Double the safety distance with other vehicles to avoid possible collisions. Note that
the distance must be greater when the asphalt is wet and slippery.
.