Electric scooters have grown in popularity within the last few years, particularly amongst kids and teenagers. Electric scooters can be a convenient mode of transportation for commuting to and from school, but are the safest and most convenient option when compared to bikes or e-bikes? Keep reading to find out our considerations that can help you decide.
Safety Considerations
There are two main considerations when it comes to electric scooters versus bikes for kids’ travel to school. The first has to do with the speed of their ride. Electric scooters can reach higher speeds than bikes, typically moving at speeds somewhere around 15 to 20 miles per hour. When compared to a more controlled speed with a bike, this can increase the risk of accidents for young riders. The average speed for a teenage or child bike rider falls between 8 and 12 miles per hour.
The powerful motor on an electric scooter certainly affects the rider’s ability to control it, particularly if riding in an urban environment. Children on bikes usually have more control over speed, which matters more in heavy trafficked areas like school drop-off zones. Bikes typically benefit from better infrastructure here, where dedicated lanes can improve safety for young riders. While scooters can also be ridden in the bike lane, it’s simpler and more recognized by pedestrians to ride a bike on the sidewalk than an electric scooter.
Protective Gear
The second important consideration has to do with protective gear. While wearing a helmet is always important for electric scooter and bike riding alike, additional gear is more strongly recommended when riding electric scooters, including items such as shoulder, elbow, and knee pads. Some kids may not consistently wear safety gear while riding scooters, when compared to the stronger tradition of helmets and pads with bikes.
Convenience Considerations
When it comes to choosing your ride, electric scooters are considerably faster than bikes for shorter distances, so kids can arrive at school quickly without tiring themselves out. Without needing to pedal to get going, this can be a big plus for longer commutes or for kids who don’t enjoy cycling. Electric scooters are also compact, making them easier to park or store in smaller spaces than a bike. They also tend to be a more cost-effective choice, requiring less maintenance than bikes (depending on the brand). Bikes have many more moving parts, such as the gears, chain and derailleur.
Bikes on the other hand offer a great form of exercise, helping kids to develop their strength and stamina. This makes bikes the better choice when it comes to promoting physical activity. They can also travel longer distances without needing to recharge, unlike electric scooters that need to be recharged regularly. This could play into your decision depending on how far the trip to school is. Schools are also more likely to have a bike rack for storage, as opposed to needing to figure out where and how you want to store your electric scooter during the day.
Summary
Each method of transportation has its pros and cons, and the best choice generally depends on individual circumstances such as the age of the child riding, the route they take to get to school, and parental acceptance with risk level. Some level of parental supervision and education about road safety is critical, especially when it comes to electric scooters.
While electric scooters may offer convenience for shorter trips, the physical benefits and safer control of bikes may make them the better option for younger children and teens. Either way, it saves parents a trip if that student is coming and going to school at different times for sports practices and other extracurricular activities. When properly implemented, both electric scooters and bikes can be viable, eco-friendly and hassle-free options for commuting to school.
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