10 Reasons Why Electric Scooters Are Good For Teenagers

It’s no wonder teenagers love electric scooters! They look cool and are fun to ride too.

However, it’s normal to question whether or not these devices are suitable for teenagers because if they ride on one, they may be at risk of having an accident or going too far away.

In this article I’ll delve into this concern, as well as provide ten reasons why electric scooters can be beneficial for teenagers, tips for buying an electric scooter for a teenager, as well as some safety tips that all teen scooter riders should adhere to.

In a nutshell, electric scooters are good for teenagers, as long as basic safety precautions are taken. Electric scooters, or e-scooters, also make perfect gifts for teenagers.

Why Electric Scooters Are a Good Gift for Teenagers

If you’re asking yourself if electric scooters are good for teenagers, it might be that you are considering buying one as a gift for your teenage child.

Getting gifts for teenagers can be quite confusing. Their interests keep changing, and it can be hard to keep up. Electric scooters are an interesting exception to this. 

Not only do teenagers like them because they’re super fun, but they also have a lot of cool practical benefits. For instance, they are safe when used correctly, teach teenagers coordination skills, and give them a mode of transportation. 

Here are 10 reasons why electric scooters are good for teenagers:

1. They are fun
2. Easy to use
3. Suitable mode of transportation 
4. Prepare teenagers for having a car
5. Develop their coordination skills
6. Portable and can be taken on trips
7. Safer than skateboards
8. Available in different designs and colors
9. Give teenagers an excuse to get out of the house
10.  Help them socialize

Let’s go over each in detail.

1. They Are Fun 

The first reason is simple – electric scooters are fun to ride!

Whether the rider uses the scooter to cruise around the neighborhood or the park, they’re bound to have a lot of fun. 

Teenagers who don’t have a lot of time since they’re busy with homework and extracurriculars will especially enjoy these scooters. Riding a scooter is a great way to blow off steam and have fun. 

2. Easy To Use 

You don’t need a lot of experience or training to ride a scooter, making these devices great for all age levels. Even people who don’t like trying new things because it takes a lot of effort to learn skills will enjoy these scooters.

You just have to get on the scooter. The instructions are super simple, and most users can typically figure out how to ride an electric scooter on the go. 

Teenagers are likely to prefer games and activities that don’t have complicated rules and a steep learning curve. Electric scooters are precisely that. 

3. Suitable Mode of Transportation 

Another reason why electric scooters are a good gift for teenagers is that they give them a mode of transportation. They can get from one place to another by themselves, which means they have a certain amount of independence. 

They can help your teenager get around town without relying on you for transportation.

If the teenager in question is 16 or older, they may already have this kind of independence. But younger teenagers, like 13 and 14-year-olds, probably don’t, so it’s a great opportunity for them. 

Even if your teenager can already get around by themselves because they have a car or access to public transport, an electric scooter is just another option for them. They’re likely to appreciate it.

Think of it as a bike but just more convenient. 

4. Prepare Teenagers for Having a Car

Electric scooters introduce young teenagers to driving before they get their car. These machines teach them how to be responsible and drive safely.

They should naturally develop road sense and traffic awareness.

Scooters aren’t as powerful or as complicated as cars, so it’s not like you’re throwing your kid into the deep end. 

5. Develop Their Coordination Skills

One of the best practical benefits of getting a teenager an electric scooter is that they develop their coordination skills. Riding these scooters doesn’t require a lot of training, but it does lead to a lot of benefits. 

Your teenager will develop coordination and balance skills, which they can’t develop from video or board games.

6. Portable and Can be Taken on Trips

Electric scooters are portable, and it’s easy to take them on trips. So if you’re going on a long road trip to see your family for a couple of weeks, you can take this scooter with you! It can fit in the trunk of most cars. 

Teenagers can also take the scooter to college if they’re moving away. College towns tend to be relatively small and bike/scooter friendly. So having an electric scooter will be a great way for them to get around. 

7. Safer Than Skateboards

Electric scooters are designed to be used in public spaces like sidewalks, streets, and parking lots. They’re safe to use outdoors and are treated the same way bicycles are. 

They have better balance than skateboards which means your kids are less likely to fall off an electric scooter than they are a skateboard. 

8. Available in Different Designs and Colors

One of the best things about electric scooters is that they’re available in different designs and colors, so you can get one that your teenager will find appealing. 

If they’re into goth vibes, you can get them a black scooter. On the other hand, there are many brightly colored ones available too.

There are also a lot of design scooters that have graphic logos, themes, and outlines on them.

9. Give Them the Incentive To Get Out of the House

Teenagers are known to spend excessive amounts of time indoors. Whether they’re working on homework, face-timing friends, or playing video games, they don’t get out of the house as much as they should anymore. 

Electric scooters give them the incentive to go outdoors. 

10. Help Them Socialize

There are a couple of ways through which scooters can help your teenager socialize. 

Due to all the reasons outlined above, other kids in the neighborhood also find these devices super cool and fun and are likely to want to be friends with whoever has one. So they’re bound to reach out and befriend them. 

Also, riding electric scooters is a social activity. All the kids can ride to school together and around the block. 

Either way, these scooters are an excuse to hang out with friends. 

Age Groups For Teenagers Riding Electric Scooters

The term teenager includes ages thirteen to nineteen; as any parent knows, there is a world of difference between these two extremes.

Therefore it’s not the same looking at an electric scooter for, say, a fourteen year old, as an eighteen year old.

For the younger teenagers, it’s advisable to get an entry-level e-scooter that doesn’t go very fast or have too much power.

These scooters are also designed to carry less weight and are lighter and generally cheaper.

In contrast, an older teenager requires a higher spec scooter because they are heavier and more independent.

Shopping for an electric scooter for a teenager can quickly get very confusing as there are an overwhelming amount of different options, features, and prices.

That’s why I wrote a buyer’s guide to getting an electric scooter for a teenager, which also includes a recommended model for every age group (thirteen to nineteen).

Safety Precautions For Teenagers Riding Electric Scooters

As fun and convenient as electric scooters are, it’s important to always remember that they are transport vehicles, and as with any other vehicle, they carry some inherent risk when using them.

Therefore it’s advisable to take every possible safety precaution when using them, especially where teenagers are concerned.

Below is a list of safety precautions that should be taken seriously by teenagers when riding an electric scooter. The list is not exhaustive, but aims to cover most of the common issues:

1. Wear a helmet
2. Be highly visible
3. Use lights
4. Use a bell or a horn
5. Hazard awareness
6. Traffic awareness

Let’s look at each point in more detail:

1. Wear a helmet

Wearing a helmet is a must, and may also be obligatory depending on where you live (check your local laws).

A helmet protects the head in the case of an accident or a fall, and could mean the difference between coming away unscathed and having to go to hospital.

2. Be Highly Visible

When scooting around on the roads, any small vehicle is at risk of being hit by a larger vehicle, very often because the other driver didn’t see the smaller vehicle until too late.

Everything that can be done to increase the scooter rider’s visibility is a good thing.

Some kind of reflective clothing, strap or gear is the ideal thing, especially when dark. Brightly coloured clothes also help.

3. Use Lights

Most electric scooters come with lights which should suffice when scooting when it’s late. It’s advisable to always use the lights that come with your scooter.

However, some scooters standard lighting can leave a lot to be desired, in which case it would be advisable to invest in some extra lighting, and get it fitted on to your e-scooter.

4. Use Bells or Horns

Many e-scooters don’t come with a bell or any type of warning device. In some situations, making a noise that alerts others to your presence may be vital for the rider’s safety, as well as for the safety of others.

These devices are inexpensive but essential, and easily fitted to the scooter’s handlebars.

5. Awareness of Hazards

The roads, streets, and parks are full of potential hazards, which your teen should be aware of and be on the lookout for.

These include, potholes, cracks, uneven surfaces, loose surfaces, water, ice, gravel, stones.

6. Awareness of Traffic

Traffic and other motor driven vehicles pose the biggest threat to any scooter rider’s safety, teenage or adult.

This is a broad topic which cannot be properly covered here, however local laws must be learnt and adhered to.

You should know where using an electric scooter is allowed and where it is not, and if there is any age limit for the use of scooters on the road or otherwise.

But most crucial is that the teenager has some awareness of traffic and roads, as well as the universal language of hand signals, so that they don’t put themselves at unnecessary risk.

Conclusion

Electric scooters make great gifts for teenagers, being cool, practical, and fun all at once. Most teenagers would jump at the chance of owning one.

Different age groups of teenagers have different needs and require different types of scooters. In general, e-scooters for older teenagers are more expensive than their entry-level counterparts.

In addition, it must be taken into account that each teenager is different and so the type of scooter that suits one teen may not suit another. It’s also the case that one teen may be careful, while another reckless.

Always remember that electric scooters are vehicles and as such they should be treated with respect and driven with adequate precaution.

However, I think it’s also worth adding that an e-scooter is probably no more risky than a bicycle, which travels at about the same speed. If you’re ok with your teen riding a bike, then the thought of them riding an electric scooter probably shouldn’t be much different.

With responsible parenting, safety education, and skill-building, electric scooters can be a safe and enjoyable option for teenagers.

By employing good judgment, teaching safety habits, and ensuring the use of safety equipment, parents can be confident about their teenage children riding on electric scooters.