A surprising number of child-oriented scooters have a brake lever and required stopping effort that’s very similar to what an adult scooter would have. It’s also critical to ensure that the effort required to stop the scooter isn’t more than your child can handle. Stopping is even more important than going, so be certain the brake lever is properly sized for your child’s hand. Many scooters have a “kick-start” feature as with the typical adult scooter, a firm push is needed to get the scooter moving before it will supply power to the rear wheel. Others are thumb-operated, which is usually safer because losing a firm grip on the handlebar will also result in the scooter slowing to a stop. Some use a twist grip for power, which inexperienced riders should avoid, as it’s possible to inadvertently accelerate the scooter during a loss of control, making matters worse. There’s no common standard for what makes these scooters go and stop. A good rule of thumb: The handlebar should be taller than the child’s waist but well below his or her armpits. Others are simply too large to be safely handled by children. Some scooters have weight limits treat them as gospel. That leaves a pretty broad range of rider size and weight to consider. It’s generally accepted that electric scooters aren’t a great choice for children under the age of eight. So if you have a three-mile trip in mind, don’t get a three-mile scooter, because it won’t suffice for long. Unlike modern electric cars, which are often configured with enough extra internal batteries to provide a stable range over years, these scooters give you the maximum possible range (and speed) on Day One but decline thereafter. Be aware, however, that as with other battery-powered consumer devices, each recharge will take a tiny bite out of the total power available. The range of kids’ scooters varies considerably, with some geared for long rides to school and others better suited to local adventuring. Looking at a speedier scooter? Consider the additional risk very carefully. So, in addition to outfitting your kid with a helmet and other safety gear, like elbow and knee pads, it’s also worth supervising your child until you’re certain they have the hang of it. Most children’s scooters top out at about 10 miles per hour, which may not sound very fast-unless your kid hits a stationary object, such as a parked car or parking meter. Best Lego Tables What to Consider Range and Speed.More Gift Ideas for Kids: Best Dinosaur Toys We’ve surveyed the current lineup of available products from both the big names and the small-batch makers to find some great solutions for your child’s electric dreams. How fast is too fast? How much range is necessary? And what’s the distinction between a required safety feature and something that just looks cool? The child-specific electric scooter is still new enough that many of the details are still evolving.
That doesn't mean they're all created equal. The electric scooter is quickly replacing the conventional bicycle on the wish lists of many kids, and it’s easy to see why: They’re fast enough to be thrilling, easy to operate, and no more expensive than the average pedal-powered two-wheeler. It’s obvious that these devices take direct inspiration from the children’s scooters that have been around since the roller-skate era-and now they’re returning the favor. Walk the streets of almost any major city and you’ll see plenty of “mobility solution” rental scooters from the likes of Bird, Lime, and Spin.