Electric scooters play an essential role in commuting to work or college. Still, others count on it for recreational rides and small errands.
But difficulties arise during winter and snowfall. The ground becomes slippery. And so, can you ride-scooter in the winter?
Therefore Can You Ride Electric Scooter in the Winter?
The difference between winter and other times of the year is the extreme coldness and wetness. Besides, your visibility goes down. Furthermore, the freezing temperature affects the performance of the battery.
So considering all factors, riding in the snowy and freezing weather isn’t a wise idea. But if you have no choice, then be cautious. Here are the vital considerations.
Safety Precautions and Tips When Riding E-Scooter in Winter
Give the Scooter a Thorough Inspection
Before going out, run a checkup on the equipment; inspect the condition of the tires, brakes, headlights, taillights, and throttle. Ensure none of the vital parts has malfunctioned.
Check on every essential part of the personal vehicle. Ensure the battery has a full charge.
Put on Waterproof Shoes and Clothes
Before the actual ride, wear rainproof clothes and shoes. Sometimes the weather becomes unpredictable. So it’s wise to put on clothing that water can’t penetrate.
Remember, the extreme weather may cause cold. If you can get a rain and sweat proof jacket, then it’s ideal.
Visibility and Safety
During winter, there is poor visibility. So besides having the waterproof jacket, your visibility is of paramount importance.
Installing a cycle torch can improve your visibility and safety to other traffic users. Also wear a full-faced scooter helmet. Besides the protection, the helmet provides warmth.
Put on Scooter Gloves
In winter you need gloves more than in summer. The gloves shield your hands from injury in case of a fall.
But at the same time, they keep your fingers warm. Otherwise, without them, your hands can get uncomfortably cold. And when that happens, holding the handlebar or brakes becomes a problem.
Invest in An Anti-Fog Spray
Remember, you need the full-faced scooter helmet. But the next problem that comes along with it is the fogging of the windscreen.
And that’s where the anti-fog spray proves helpful. Spraying a few spritzes before getting out on the road is helpful.
Proper Tires Suitable for Winter
During winter, you need to have the scooter tires meant for winter. They are soft and threaded. A quick test is to squeeze the tires and take note of the softness.
The unique adaptations give them better traction and stability in the cold weather. Note that tires with poor traction promote accidents.
Furthermore, wider and air-filled tires perform better on wet roads. In other words, off-road scooter tires fit winter rides.
Stick to Proper Battery Maintenance
During cold weather, the battery requires utmost care and maintenance. Besides, the cold slightly reduces its range. So put that into consideration when planning for a ride.
And to ensure the battery offers optimum performance, stick to the below tips:
- Before charging, the battery shouldn’t feel cold.
- After your ride, don’t leave the battery outside in the cold. Bring it inside or store it anywhere that has a temperature of about 41 degrees Fahrenheit
- Do not heat the battery to warm it quickly. Instead, bring it inside the house, and it will warm up slowly.
- Recharge the battery more often during winter. Don’t wait till the battery runs out of charge. That’s especially useful for lithium-ion batteries.
- Also, before and after the ride, let the scooter run on for a short while. That way, the battery gets the chance to warm up.
Mind your Riding Style
Remember, wet surfaces are more slippery than dry roads. So don’t drive to maintain the usual same thrilling top speed. Ride at a moderate or low pace.
Besides, take note of the following concerns
- Aim at steady rides. Keep off jerky and sudden movements
- Stay away from pools of water and puddles.
- Don’t forget a reflective jacket or clothe
Clean the Scooter After Every Winter Ride
Most likely, the scooter will have gathered filth after the ride. So you need to clean off the dirt before storage.
But during clean up take note of its water-resistance rating. Not every part of the scooter is waterproof.
Grease the areas that require greasing. Then, apply the necessary spray that slows down corrosion on the metal parts. And before storage, ensure it is dry completely.
Don’t Ride During Extreme Weather Conditions.
Always take note of the weather conditions. When there is snow, heavy downpour, ice, or hail, keep off the road.
And even when you think it’s safe, take note of the water-resistance rating of the scooter. Whenever the road surface is invisible, stay at home.
 Always Plan Ahead
As you have noted, the battery range reduces during cold times. So, ensure the battery has a full charge.
When planning, use the battery’s half range. Furthermore, carry the charger too. Know the particular paths you intend to follow and the approximate distance. That way, you can avoid running out of battery power.
Additional Tips
Furthermore, ensure that scooter has a mudguard. If it doesn’t have one, buy or improvise one. In case you don’t plan to ride in winter, keep the battery charged. Every month, recharge it. That way you’ll keep the battery at its optimal state.
Conclusion
Riding in the winter has a lot of challenges. The slippery surfaces, poor visibility, and reduced battery performance are the prime concerns. Therefore, if you must ride in the winter, then stick to the highlighted tips and precautions.
