Unagi Safe Riding Tips
Safe riding practices are essential in order to avoid injury to yourself and others when riding an electric scooter. Riders are at risk from cars and other vehicles, as well as unsafe road and weather conditions. Carelessness or recklessness can result in serious injury. Take it from Dr. Sam Torbati, co-chair of Emergency Medicine at Cedars-Sinai, who cautions, “if you fall, you’re going to get hurt. It’s a fun vehicle, just remember it can go fast and take some steps to protect yourself.”
Protective Gear
Always wear a helmet! First order of business: before you step on the scooter, strap on your helmet. Ensure your helmet fits properly. Have one sized and adjusted at a bike shop. Close-toed shoes are also highly recommended when riding. For additional protection, you might consider safety gear such as knee and elbow pads.
Wear high visibility clothing. Reflective or brightly-colored clothing will help other drivers and riders see you in traffic. This is especially important when riding in low light conditions or at night. Your Unagi is equipped with LED lights, and it is highly recommended that you use them.
Safe Riding Essentials
Familiarize yourself with all of the scooter’s functions. Before you ride, make sure you know how to accelerate and brake, and do so slowly, especially in traffic. It’s important to be mindful of your surroundings at all times and to minimize sudden stops that can result in accidents.
Ride on the street or in bike lanes, not sidewalks or other pedestrian avenues. Watch for potholes, puddles, and large cracks in the pavement. Avoid wet or slippery surfaces. If you must ride in the rain, go slowly and allow extra distance for braking.
Obey traffic laws. Electric scooters can travel as fast as bicycles and share the associated risks. Stop at lights, signs and make sure drivers can see you.
Get rid of distractions. Put away your phone, lose the coffee, and always ride with two hands. Don’t use headphones or earbuds. When riding you should be able to hear what’s going on around you and be prepared to slow down, stop, or steer around pedestrians or obstacles.
No tandem rides. Scooters are one-person vehicles. Do not compromise safety by doubling up on a ride.
No tricks or stunts. Unagi is very well designed to function with both wheels on the ground. Use curb cuts to move between sidewalks and streets rather than hopping curbs.
Do not ride your Unagi if you have been drinking. Riding impaired can pose severe risks to yourself and others.
Ride safe, have fun, and get where you need to go on your Unagi.
