Either when you go to work or when you take your children to school, surely someone has crossed your path on an electric scooter. It is the latest fashion, in fact these holidays have been the star gift in many homes. Its motives are basically summarized as a means of transport greener than public transport or car. According to some specialized websites, its battery is ready in 6 or 7 hours and has a range of 20 to 40 km. depending on the scooter model and terrain conditions.
So far everything seems advantages, right? The fact is that the regulation of its use is taking more and more prominence and more since last weekend a five-year-old boy died in Badajoz riding on a scooter with a seat. Apparently the child broke into the road and did not have time for the bus that was passing at that time to slow down, hitting the child. To avoid misfortunes of this kind we have decided to develop a guide to the good use of electric scooters by children picking up the different types, recommendations and current regulations.
What is an electric scooter for?
Your goal is to be able to perform travel quickly and conveniently Avoiding traffic jams There are other similar means, such as bicycles, but here you would win the skate because of its small size, except for the modern folding models of bicycles.
He consumption is very cheap and more if we compare it with other means such as the motorcycle or the car. Nor should we forget that in addition to the time and money savings part, many people simply use it as a mere object of leisure.
Types of electric scooter
Currently in the market we can find different types such as:
1. Conventional electric scooter: They are usually composed of 2 wheels (some 3) in line, one in front and one behind at each end of it. It has a handlebar that serves to direct its orientation. It is one of the most popular and you will have seen it in adults and children.
Razor E100 model 2. Self-balancing electric scooters: Here we should distinguish two types:
Hoverboard: Surely you've seen hundreds of these around your city. Basically they have two wheels on each side and work by balancing our body towards the direction in which we want to move. This is the children's favorite. Some already have built-in LED lights and even speakers.
Electric unicycle: very similar to the previous one, but with the difference that here we only have one wheel. The feet are placed on both sides of it.
3. Electric skate: Do you remember the typical skateboard of our childhood? Well, it is the same, but with an electric motor. It also works through the balancing system and to accelerate or brake we will do it with a remote control. Easy, right?
4. Electric scooter with saddle: It is the latest fashion and it becomes a more comfortable adaptation of the rest of the scooters where we have a seat.
IWatBoard iWatKart model 5. Segway: It was the first self-balancing transport device. It consists of a platform so that we can stand, a handlebar and a wheel on each side. It is less common for personal use since it occupies more space and is not foldable but nevertheless some security forces such as the Local Police have incorporated it as a means of transport, especially in beach areas.
What does the legislation say?
In 2016, the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) issued an instruction to try to order the movement of personal mobility vehicles (electric scooters, segway, electric-powered chairs for people with reduced mobility, among others), where there was a legal vacuum. It specifies that they are vehicles that move through any space, without any traffic code, indicating that these devices may "be physically located on the road, provided they are expressly authorized by the local authority" and do not drive on the sidewalks. Although in the end, it will be the municipalities, who have to regulate their ordinances to know where they should circulate.
Electric scooters are listed as "Type A Personal Mobility Vehicles" and cities like Barcelona already include a municipal ordinance where prohibit the use of this vehicle for children under 16 which is capable of reaching 20 kilometers per hour.
But it's not the only case. Seville, for example, has a minimum order in a paragraph of the Traffic Ordinance. It indicates that these vehicles must be "authorized" by the General Directorate of Mobility of the City Council to be able to circulate being considered as cycles, that is, as a bicycle. There is a type form in which owners identify themselves and must specify the characteristics of their vehicle. But, as it has not been regulated at the state level, there is no obligation to enroll them, nor to take out insurance (it is optional), the driver's minimum age or minimum knowledge of traffic is not required, even though they use a motor vehicle.
Other cities that are working to regulate the use of electric scooters, and more specifically in children, are Vitoria, Madrid, Valencia or Badajoz, place of the tragic event that heads this post.
Recommendations for use
While the ordinances are passed and the legislation is clear the use of electric scooters must be done under the responsibility of us, the parents. For this reason it is convenient to have clear recommendations to avoid scares on board these media:
Recommended age: according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) children children under 10 should not use skateboards, while those under 8 would not have to use scooters, unless they are guarded by an adult. But what do manufacturers say about it? For scooters over 500W is 12 years old, but most often lower the range to 8. In recent years it has become a star gift and more and more children are using it below that age range.
Possible injuries: adult supervision is vital, basically to avoid serious injuries or incidents. We are talking about very young children who often miscalculate their skills and strength and may lose control in areas with traffic. The areas most affected by the falls of this type of gadgets are the knees, wrists and face and account for 38% of cases. Only 5% suffer serious injuries (bruises or internal injuries), while moderate injuries (fractures or dislocations of long bones) account for 31% according to AAP data.
Know ABEC: this is an index that applies to bearings. The higher the ABEC number, the better rotation speed. Thus, for a child who is going to start to start on electric scooters it is better choose ABEC type 1 bearings, which are less fluid and help you maintain balance thus avoiding possible falls.
Maintenance: it is important take good care of the device itself to avoid damage and may suffer failures during use.
Charge the battery fully: if we want to keep it as long as possible it is convenient to fully charge it to be able to use it without problems.
No water: we know that children are children and they will love to go through puddles with them, but we must warn you that, although most scooters are water resistant, batteries are not and could be damaged and fail in full use.
Applications to teach your children: some manufacturers have developed mobile applications where they explain the use of their devices, recommendations and care. It is convenient for your child to see them and learn what they should and not do with them to avoid possible problems.
Protection: it is vital that minors always enjoy these scooters with helmet, knee pads, elbow pads and any other element that can prevent any fracture in case of fall.
Speed: should never exceed 20 km / hour That is why it is advisable to avoid temptations is that the devices that control the minors cannot pass that speed.
Traffic rules: before your child uses his scooter find out about the legislation of your city to know where and how you can use it. In some cities it is only allowed in the bike lane to avoid accidents with pedestrians. Another option is to go to large areas such as parks, esplanades without circulation where the risk is as low as possible.
Check the assembly: also remember that before a first use you must check that the device has the CE marking As a guarantee of quality and safety. Further, check the fastening of the wheels and that there is nothing that can cut In case of fall.
Of course our children can enjoy an electric scooter, but always keeping in mind that we are facing a gadget that needs to maintain safety, maintenance and supervision standards to avoid accidents. So to avoid scares, above all, you have to take into account the recommended age and not let minors use it without protections.
Does your son have one of them? How old are you? Tell us in the comments!
