While part of a scooters appeal is the care free nature so often exemplified by scooter riders, most scooter riders still take safety precautions beyond those required by the letter of the law. Scooter jackets, considered bulky by some, provide a level of safety in skids regular outerwear simply doesn’t account for. With built in padding that minds mobility, scooter jackets are specifically designed with the vehicle in mind, giving them an inherent advantage in protecting riders against the hazards of the road. Still, when arriving at a purchase decision, some jackets are better than others. Here’s what to look for:Proper fit The most important consideration when purchasing a scooter jacket is how it fits you as an individual. People come in all shapes and sizes; unfortunately, jackets do not. This means specific brands may not apply to certain body types. It is essential that the padding falls where it is intended to on your body, or else the entire purpose of wearing protective gear is rendered ineffective.Visibility Perhaps the easiest concern to account for is also arguably the most overlooked. Too often scooter riders opt for jackets that overlook visibility in an effort to be fashionable. Though darker colors may be slimming or stylish, few passer-bys will notice how you look when steered or knocked lateral in traffic, particularly in the evening and night hours. (more…)
Step 1: Find a scooter that is right for you. It may be used it may be new, but make sure make and model you select passes a proper security inspection. If you are in the process of buying from an independent seller, be sure to get the scooter checked out by a licensed professional before agreeing on a purchase. You will also need to make a decision as to what size scooter you will be interested in.Step 2: Register your scooter. Don’t worry, this is not nearly the monetary hassle required to register cars. If you purchase your scooter from a full-service dealer, there is a reasonable chance registration can be handled on site, or at least get the process started, at no additional cost. When registering, be sure to ask if there is a prerequisite license necessary to ride it in that state. If so, you can take care of if the license and registration process in one clean trip.Step 3: (more…)
Before venturing outside for ride on your electric scooter, know the laws pertaining to scooters in your own state. Though federal laws prohibit the use of any motorized scooter on federally funded bicycle paths, even these restrictions cede authority to state and local regulations if it has been distinctly permitted. The laws applying to scooter driving vary greatly across state line and may even differ from city to city or county to county. For example, a helmet is required at all times to ride a motorized scooter in California, but no helmet is required at any time in Arizona; the minimum age to ride a motorized bicycle in Arkansas is just 10 years old but reaches as high as 18 inside the District of Columbia. (more…)