Use Caution Before Renting a Rideshare Scooter
Rideshare scooters, or otherwise known as e-scooters or electric scooters, are one of the most favored ways to get around that isn’t a car. These scooters are convenient and offer a speedy sign-up via an app on a cell phone. Rideshare scooter companies allow people to rent within just a minute or two. However, despite the good time they may bring, they are terribly dangerous. No helmet is immediately provided for the rider, there is no one regularly examining the scooters to make sure they are running properly, and riders may get hit by cars when forced to share the roadway.
Electric scooters may be enjoyable and an easy way to get where you need to be, but the injuries that result from falling can be severe. And since most riders won’t have a helmet with them to wear, the injuries can be painful and even fatal. E-scooter riders can order a helmet for free, but in most cases, they won’t have it with them the moment they use it, unless they have planned to ride a scooter ahead of time. Many users rent them on a whim as they happen to stumble upon a scooter docking station.
Before jetting off on a rideshare scooter, you must get familiar with the scooter itself. Identify where the brake and accelerator are and if a foot break is present. The single-hand brake may be mounted on the left or right side of the handlebar. The accelerator is typically mounted within easy reach of the thumb. Press gently forward on the scooter and start slowly, so that your body and mind have a chance to adjust before going forward. But ideally, it may be best to avoid riding an electric scooter anyway. Even if you do have a helmet with you, in the event of a crash or getting hit by a car, there isn’t anything protecting your body from striking a hard surface.
Another aspect to consider is that most rideshare companies want to reduce liability as much as possible. This means they will have you agree to a user’s contract before getting access to the scooter. These companies know that most riders need to use the bike quickly and won’t have time to read the contract fully. Furthermore, these agreements may be so long that it’s impossible to read it entirely before use, and rideshare companies take advantage of this fact.
As our personal injury lawyer friends from Ward & Ward Law Firm can attest, rideshare scooters may be a good time, but safety should always be the priority. Use caution before riding, or maybe skip it altogether if you can!
