E-scooter


An e-scooter or electric kick scooter is an electric motorized scooter – a stand-up scooter powered by an electric hub motor in its front and/or rear wheel. It is generally designed with a large center deck on which the rider stands.
They are classified as a form of micromobility; e-scooters are included in scooter-sharing systems that use apps to allow users to rent them by the minute. Such systems are now present in major and mid-sized cities all over the world.

Parts and other features

Parts of an electric scooter include the deck, stem, handlebars, tires, suspension, lights, batteries, brakes, controller and motor.
E-scooters usually have two wheels between in diameter, connected by a platform on which the rider stands, with a handlebar for support and steering.
There are three types of tires:
  • Pneumatic tires.
  • Solid tires.
  • Hollow tires are made of durable rubber.
It is propelled by an electric motor, which makes gears unnecessary. It may support energy recovery by regenerative braking.
Range and speed vary considerably according to model. One reference shows ranges of, and maximum speeds from.

Scooter sharing

In 2017, some bicycle-sharing companies such as Lime, and some scooter-only companies such as Bird, began offering dock-less electric kick scooter sharing services. This segment of the micro-mobility market made large inroads in 2018, with numerous dock-less e-scooters appearing in cities worldwide.
Transport mode shift from car to shared e-scooter ranges from 8% in France to 50% in Santa Monica, United-States.

Safety and legality

Safety

E-scooters are a potentially environmentally friendly alternative personal mode of transportation that has appeal in urban settings and for short distances. However, they are not exempt from the vulnerabilities users may encounter in road traffic injuries similar to the exposures pedestrians and bicyclists when sharing the roads.
In Europe, before 2024, the majority of crashes did not involve another vehicle, while 80% of e-scooter rider deaths and 50% of trauma patients’ injuries resulted from crashes involving a heavier motor vehicle.
In France, between 2019 and 2022, a 185% increase in e-scooter riders was admitted to trauma centres.

Legality