The Role of Mindfulness in Electric Scooter Riding

Electric scooters were once the underdogs, but they proved all the doubters wrong once they finally took to the roads. As more and more people discover their benefits, e-scooters continue to grow in popularity.

The great thing about scooters is they allow commuters to get to the office on time and prevent the daily battle on public transport.

However, it would be impossible for any mode of transportation to have all benefits and no disadvantages. Accidents and collisions can happen with e-scooters, but how you approach each ride will ultimately determine your safety.

Mindfulness is a powerful tool that promotes awareness and allows people to focus on their surroundings. Therapists often teach it to individuals with anxiety issues, but mindfulness can also keep you - and other road users - safe.

In this post, we'll explore how mindfulness can help e-scooter riders enjoy their experience and reveal some tips on incorporating this invaluable technique when you jump onto your scooter.

What Is Mindfulness?

In its purest form, mindfulness allows people to stay in the moment, have complete clarity, and focus on what they're doing - instead of getting lost in their surroundings.

It's a popular tool for people with anxiety because the mind can often wander. When someone deals with constant worrying, they begin to lose control of their thoughts and react to the external and internal stimuli affecting their mindset.

The popular form of meditation is known to reduce stress, improve a person's reactions and help them make better decisions.

Seven principles define mindfulness, and you'll learn to implement these during your journey of discovery and learning:

• No judgment - Seeing the world in all its colors instead of just black and white.
• Patience - Opening your mind to each moment and accepting that things take time.
• Beginner's Mind - Never let your past experiences block future opportunities.
• Trust - Have trust in yourself to make the right decisions.
• Non-Striving - Finding comfort in who you are and not who you could be.
• Acceptance - Never allow your biases to cloud your mind and impact your ability to see the world as it is.
• Letting Go - The present and future are only possible if you let go of the past and move on.

The Benefits Of Mindfulness In Electric Scooter Riding

Riding electric scooters requires a lot of focus and attention, which is why mindfulness can really help you. Before we look at the benefits the meditation form offers for e-scooter riding, you should know some statistics on mindfulness.

• 40% Of Americans meditate regularly (Pew Research).
• 35% Of people practice mindfulness to relieve stress (NCBI).
• Meditation is scientifically proven to improve a person's attention span (Springer Link).
• Distractions and a general lack of attention are two of the biggest causes of road traffic accidents (Fuel Genie).

As you can see from these statistics, mindfulness can prevent accidents and give you a clear head.

Now we'll look at how utilizing the techniques can ensure you take proper safety precautions every time you ride an electric scooter.

Increased focus and attention

There are many road distractions, and e-scooter riders must be careful because they're more exposed to hazards than car drivers. When you use mindfulness properly, you can avoid distractions and stay focused on the road.

It's important to remember that you need to take responsibility when riding. For example, it doesn't matter how good the braking power is, you still need quick reactions, and mindfulness helps you stay in the moment.

Better decision-making

Every decision we make has either positive or negative consequences. The right choices are well thought out and in your - and other people's best interests, but the wrong decisions are often impulsive and emotionally charged.

While there aren't many statistics about road rage in scooter riders, we can look at driving studies to understand how common impulsive actions are.

According to an article by The Zebra, 84% of US drivers admitted to moments of road range in a year, while 45% admitted they sometimes change lanes without signaling to other road users.

Mindfulness helps drivers make the right decisions by reducing impulsive and aggressive behavior. When you stay calm and keep a clear head, you remain objective instead of irrational.

Reduced stress and anxiety

Street riding is one thing, but using your e-scooter on public roads can be nerve-wracking. It's common to deal with some initial anxiety, but your safety could be at risk if it gets severe.

Research from Frontiers In Psychology highlights that one in four people involved in road traffic accidents suffer from stress or an anxiety disorder, which shows how dangerous using a scooter can be if you're not in the right headspace.

Mindfulness can help riders manage stress and anxiety, regulate their emotions and deal with negative thoughts.

Faster reaction times

You can be a confident e-scooter user with plenty of experience - but failing to prepare for the unexpected can have serious consequences. There could be obstacles on the road, or you might need to brake safely and quickly to avoid them.

Mindfulness keeps you in the moment, which allows you to notice potential hazards and use your scooter's controls effectively.

Even if you're traveling at a slow speed, one second could be the difference between a minor fall or a potentially fatal accident.

Being able to enjoy the ride

Let's not forget that a safe ride is an enjoyable one. When you're prepared for anything and approach each trip with confidence, you can appreciate the feeling of the wind on your face and your ability to avoid traffic jams.

Techniques For Mindfulness When Riding Electric Scooters

Now you know why mindfulness benefits electric scooter riders, it's time to reveal how to learn the techniques that will keep you safe on the road.

Let's look at some of the best strategies for mindful electric scooter riding.

Learn mindfulness

Technology is making it easier than ever for people to learn new skills by just downloading an app on their phones. If you're new to mindfulness, the best way to discover it is by using one of the many services available.

Headspace, Calm, and Healthy Minds are three top-rated apps for all operating systems, each with unique benefits.

Discover which is best for your needs here.

Focus on your breathing

Breathing is integral to meditation because it anchors your mind and regulates the nervous system. When you learn mindfulness, breathing techniques will be a significant component.

Taking a few deep breaths before setting off can create a sense of calm and ensure you're in the zone.

Connect mind to body

Observing the physical sensations while riding an electric scooter can help you be more aware of your surroundings. You'll notice how the wind feels against your skin, your muscles move, or even how your balance shifts with each turn.

Understanding these details can help you stay focused on the experience rather than getting lost in distracting thoughts about the destination or other worries.

Mindfulness is great - but never forget scooter safety measures

There are so many benefits of mindfulness, and it can make you appreciate the freedom of riding an e-scooter. However, that doesn't mean you can forget to take the proper precautions with your scooter - and on the road.

From preparing your scooter to keeping your body safe and ensuring you consider other road users, here's what you should do alongside mindfulness.

Wear appropriate safety gear

Taking proper safety precautions can prevent serious injuries if you have an accident. Unfortunately, many people don't wear helmets and other protective gear because they don't like how it looks.

Modern helmets can be sleek, stylish, and the absolute opposite of geeky. Take a look at our signature Unagi helmet, and you'll see what we mean.

Wearing elbow pads, protective vests, jackets, and elbow pads is always a good idea.

Buy the best front and rear lights

While electric scooters usually come with front and rear lights, replacing them with powerful lights when riding around dark city streets is always a good idea.

Choosing a bright headlight allows you to see other road users, while a rear brake light ensures people can see what you're doing.

Check the brakes regularly

Brakes ensure you can stop swiftly, but any malfunctions can result in accidents. For example, if any fault impact how much braking pressure you need to apply, you could get into a collision.

Your manual should have instructions on how to check the brakes, but if you notice a problem, it's best to take the scooter to a professional.

Take it slow

Now, when we say take it slow, we don't necessarily mean choosing the slowest riding mode because that can be dangerous if you're on public roads. Instead, take it slow by looking at your route and noting any potential hazards.

If you're unsure about using the scooter, riding it on streets, bike lanes, and quieter roads is best to get used to it and develop your riding skills.

Understand common riding mistakes

Unfortunately, there are some common scooter mistakes that an experienced rider would never make, so it's always good to know which things could potentially trip you up. The most common riding mistakes include:

• Using the scooter in wet weather (especially if you're not used to it).
• The wrong standing position (you should have your front foot facing forward instead of feet side by side).
• Riding one-handed or with another person on the scooter.
• Failing to look at and understand your state's traffic laws.
• Riding with under-inflated or punctured wheels.
• Traveling at excessive speeds.

The Bottom Line

Electric scooters can be a great way to contribute to the environment and enjoy a stress-free commute. Once beginners become experienced riders, they can enjoy unlimited freedom and flexibility.

Getting out and about instead of being cooped up in a car or on public transport can also promote a healthy lifestyle.

Along with following some common sense and understanding your state's traffic rules and regulations, incorporating mindfulness into your scooter riding can make a big difference to your experience.

Whether you learn mindfulness independently or use an app, it can facilitate comfortable riding, prevent accidents, and even boost your mental health.

Ready to reap the rewards of e-scooter ownership? Our sleek, stylish, and ultra-portable scooters are available on a monthly all-access subscription, which allows you to save money and get your hands on a fantastic scooter.