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Electric scooters have become increasingly popular over the last few years. It’s common to see people gliding through cities on e-scooters at all times of the year. But an e-scooter is a form of transport that you can get up to quick speeds on. And there are many hazards when you’re riding a scooter that could lead you to fall off.
Everyone should think of their safety before heading out on an electric scooter. Even if you ride at slow speeds, you should prepare for the worst eventuality. A helmet is an affordable piece of protective gear that every scooter rider should wear. We’re going to look at the sorts of helmets that are available to scooter riders, as well as how to spot a safe, protective helmet. Let’s go.
Do I Need to Wear a Helmet When Riding an Electric Scooter?
The simple answer to this question is a resounding ‘yes.’ Electric scooters are such a new form of transport that different countries and states often have varying regulations as to how they can be used. In some places, electric scooters are banned outright. In others, there are strict speed limits, and in other places, it’s a bit of a free-for-all. When it comes to wearing protective gear, it’s usually recommended in all places, but the type of helmet is often not stipulated, as there has yet to be a ‘standard’ electric scooter helmet.
The main reason why anyone should wear a helmet while riding an electric scooter is safety. As we know, many towns and cities have yet to adjust to electric scooters. This means that in some places, you may be forced to ride on the road. In others, you’ll need to be in cycle lanes, and in other places, you’ll be on the sidewalk. All of these have their own risks. And if you fall from an electric scooter, then you’ll likely be falling on a very hard surface. Your skull is the thing that keeps your brain safe. Unless you want to risk causing yourself permanent, irreparable damage, then you need to find yourself a solid helmet. And it’s also recommended that you get some elbow pads and knee pads too, especially if you’re going to be riding one of the many high-speed electric scooters on the market that can get you going speeds that even surpass 40 Mph.
The Four Types of Electric Scooter Helmet
As we’ve already learned, there is no standard electric scooter helmet that’s currently out on the market. One of the reasons for this is that there is such a wide array of electric scooters around, each used for different reasons, that they each require a different level of protection.
The following four types of helmets have been designed for different forms of transport, but they each offer a different level of protection. That makes them perfect for different types of electric scooter riding.
LEVEL ONE – Basic Protection – A Standard Bike Helmet
Some protection is better than no protection, and the most basic form of protection that you can wear on your head when you set off on your electric scooter is a sturdy bike helmet. If you’re a cyclist, then you can simply use the same helmet that you wear when you go out on bike rides. If you don’t already have a bike helmet, then you won’t struggle to find one. This type of helmet won’t break the bank either, as many fantastic bike helmets are available for low prices.
Who Should Use a Bike Helmet for Riding an E-Scooter?
As this type of helmet offers the most basic level of protection, then it’s only a good choice for people who ride electric scooters at low speeds. If you live in a quiet area and tend to go on your scooter just for pleasure, then you’ll probably be okay with this type of helmet. If you commute on your electric scooter and travel around busy roads, such as in the center of a big town or even a city, then you may want to think twice before getting a basic helmet of this type. It’s your choice, but there are so many risks around when you’re riding beside cars that it could be a safer choice to use a more protective helmet.
LEVEL TWO – Mild Protection – An Off-Road Bike Helmet
An off-road bike helmet is what cyclists wear when they head onto trails or for adventure and trick cycling on BMX bikes and other off-road bikes. As this type of cycling comes with more risks than standard cycling, then these helmets are reinforced to withstand knocks against rocks or other hard surfaces. They’re the next step up in terms of protection, and they’ll cost you a little more money, especially if they come with a chin protector. Once again, these helmets are widely available, and they can be bought for an affordable price, but always make sure that they have been proven to meet certain safety tests. This is especially important if you are purchasing the off-road bike helmet online. You won’t be able to ascertain just how sturdy it is until you’ve got it in your hands. So, it’s best to make sure that it has received good reviews from experts or buyers.
Who Should Use an Off-Road Bike Helmet for Riding an E-Scooter?
This type of helmet offers more protection than our previous, standard bike helmet, and that makes it an even safer choice for anyone who is riding an electric scooter at low speeds. Because many off-road bike helmets have chin guards, then this ensures that your chin and jaw will be protected if you fall forwards from the scooter. That makes it a good option for anyone riding an electric scooter in a safe, low-risk environment – such as a town. While your own speed will certainly help you decide how much risk you’re going to encounter when out on your scooter, you need to remember that if you’re riding amongst cars, then the speed that they travel could cause you to be propelled quite a distance, and that means that it’s important to have as much protection as possible. You may wish to choose the next level of protection, but you need to be aware that the level of comfort will also vary with the level of protection, and our next helmet is a lot heavier than an off-road bike helmet. We think that an off-road bike helmet is a sound choice for most casual electric scooter riders who feel that they do not ride in a high-risk environment.
LEVEL THREE – Good Protection – Electric Bike Helmet
Regular and off-road bikes are powered by human effort and human effort alone, which means that it’s only possible to get up to certain speeds. But an electric bike has a motor inside it, and that means that it can get up to very fasts speeds, with some e-bikes allowing you to ride at more than 60 Mph. That increase in speed also heightens the risks associated with riding the bike, and it means that a more protective helmet is required. The electric bike helmet is, therefore, the next level of protection that’s available to an electric scooter rider too. It’s heavier, bulkier, and more cumbersome than an off-road bike helmet, but it offers much more protection for the whole of your head.
Who Should Use an Electric Bike Helmet for Riding an Electric Scooter?
This helmet offers a substantial amount of protection. It’s recommended mainly to electric scooter riders who feel that they will be riding in areas where there are many hazards around. For example, if you will be riding in an area with a lot of traffic, such as a major city, then this helmet is the safest choice. It’s also a good option for anyone who has a high-speed scooter that you can ride above 20 mph.
LEVEL FOUR – Maximum Protection – Motorbike Helmet
It’s illegal for motorcyclists to ride their motorbike without wearing a helmet in almost every country in the world. And there is a good reason for this. Motorbikes travel at extremely high speeds, and if a rider was to fall off at such a high speed, then they could encounter permanent damage, or even be killed if they were not wearing a motorbike helmet. This is the heaviest type of helmet that you can choose.
They cover the whole of a person’s head, including the chin and nose at the front, and they often have protection for the eyes, in the form of a screen. These helmets are the most expensive form of protection that you can arm yourself with, and once again, riders should always purchase a helmet that has been built to comply with safety regulations. You should never skimp on a motorcycle helmet. If you’re going to choose the most protective helmet, then spend your money on a quality one.
Who Should Use a Motorbike Helmet for Riding an Electric Scooter?
This is the best protection that a scooter rider could get from a helmet. But this type of helmet is only necessary for people who intend to ride their scooters at very high speeds or feel that they will be riding in a very high-risk environment. If you have already had the misfortune of ending up in an accident, then you’ll maybe want to protect yourself with a motorcycle helmet.
What is the Difference Between an Open-Face Helmet and a Full-Face Helmet?
As the names suggest, open-face helmets are open at the front, exposing your chin, nose, and mouth. They offer you protection for your skull, but they will not offer any protection if you were to land forwards, which is the case in many accidents.
A full-face helmet will have a chin protector that will absorb any impact when you fall forward. The design of the helmet also means that your mouth and teeth will also be protected, and, in some cases, your nose will be protected too, especially if the full-face helmet has a reinforced screen that drops down, which completely conceals your face. You will likely have seen motorcyclists wearing helmets of this type.
When it comes to riding an electric scooter, it’s often better to choose a full-face helmet, even if it’s an off-road bike helmet that features a full-face design. As we’ve found out, you get much better protection when you fall forward. When you come off an electric scooter, then there’s a high chance you will fall in this direction. If your chin, nose, or mouth collides with a curb, sidewalk, or road then you could cause yourself a lot of damage. You might even need to visit the hospital or dentist. If you’re going to choose a helmet that offers more protection than a regular bike helmet, then you’re best going for a full-face version.
How to Choose the Correct Size
When you’re looking for your next helmet, you will notice that they come in different sizes, and it’s important to choose a helmet that offers a snug, comfortable fit, but you also don’t want it to be too tight. Fortunately, most manufacturers will specify on their helmets what size heads they’re recommended for. You just need to measure your head. This is very simple to do. The circumference is the largest part of your head, so it’s measured a little above your eyebrows; approximately an inch is the best place to hold the tape measure. It may be a good idea to ask someone to do this for you, as they can be more exact. If you’re not able to, then measure your head a few times to be sure you’ve got the exact number.
Check the Weight Too
If you’re buying a helmet for your electric scooter online, then one feature that you may neglect to look at is the weight of the helmet. But this is very important. Your comfort when wearing your helmet is a priority. After all, there’s no point buying a helmet that you never want to wear because it’s just too uncomfortable. Have a look at what the weight is for a few different helmets. Then you can compare and choose one that is lightweight, but also protective.
Summary
Riding an electric scooter is fun. There’s no doubt about it. It’s also a very efficient way to commute to work or get around town. But riding an electric scooter doesn’t come without its risks, which is why it is important to choose a protective helmet that will keep you safe.
Scooter riders have a choice between four levels of protection.
Bike helmets offer the most basic level of protection, and they should only be worn by riders who intend to travel at low speeds and in very safe environments where there are few risks.
Off-road bike helmets offer the next level of protection. They are a good choice for most electric scooter riders who feel confident that they won’t encounter too many risks, nor will they travel at speeds that surpass 20 mph. But it’s always a good idea to choose a full-face, off-road bike helmet when riding an electric scooter as it will protect your face, as well as your noggin.
Electric bike helmets offer even more protection. They’re also designed to handle impacts at high speeds, so they should be chosen by electric scooter riders who have a powerful electric scooter than can travel at speeds that surpass 20 mph. If you live in a city that has a lot of chaotic traffic, then you may want to wear one of these helmets.
The most protection than an electric scooter can get from a helmet is a motorbike helmet. These are heavier than any other type of helmet, but the discomfort that you feel when you wear them is made up for with extra protection.
Always choose an electric scooter helmet that offers ample protection, as well as comfort, then you’ll be safe and happy when you’re on your scooter.
