Getting on most electric bikes, mopeds, motorcycles, and other two-wheeled vehicles requires swinging a leg over the seat or top bar. These vehicles place the riders center of gravity up high, which can balance challenging and different. You probably remember learning to ride a bicycle, or teaching a child to master the skill. Both kids and adults find balancing on an e-scooter is much more intuitive, and most riders get the hang of it on their first try. On a scooter, the center of mass is low, and the rider feels more stable and in control.

Many people never learn to balance well on a bike, or find it difficult or impossible because of age or disability. The ease of mounting and dismounting an electric scooter makes it suitable for a wide variety of riders, significantly lowering the barrier for entry for new riders. While seated electric vehicles like pods or mini cars may be more accessible for some, these are expensive, large, bulky, and heavy (let us know if you can find one that can fold and be carried up the stairs). The ease of hopping on and off a scooter also makes it generally more convenient for quick trips and casual rides around town. Riding a scooter doesn’t require any special gear, and you won’t end up with soreness or chafing from an uncomfortable seat too.

Easier to ride than electric skateboards and unicycles, and easier to get on and off than e-bikes (and maneuver due to the lighter weight), electric scooters might also be considered in at least a few ways the safest form factor among personal electric vehicles. We’ve already mentioned how the lack of handlebars and steering make powered skateboards more difficult to control. (If you’ve ridden one lately, maybe you’ll agree.) Riders of e-bikes run the danger of getting entangled with the vehicle if they lose control or get into an accident. On a scooter, there are no bars, batteries, pedals, or gears between the rider’s legs and feet. Dismounting and getting away from a scooter is easy from an upright position.