Responsible Riding 101

By Jeffrey Will, Experience Manager

With all of the new personal electric ride options picking up steam across the country, it's important for all of us early adopters to remember that we are the ones setting example and making first impressions almost every day. The way we ride now will affect not only public perception, but our legal stance in countless public and private spaces.

So what can we do to make sure that our way of life is not only protected legally, but also encouraged as a way to live a convenient and more car-free life? We'd love to hear everyone's input and suggestions in the comments, but let's go over the basics first.

Follow your local laws

These vary by state and city, but as a general rule, don’t do anything a pedestrian, bike, or scooter isn’t allowed do in any given situation. For example, if you aren't allowed to ride a bike on the sidewalk in your town, you probably shouldn't ride your e-ride there either. Always wear any required safety gear such as helmets. Many cities are cracking down on their respective laws and will ticket accordingly. 

Sidewalk & Pedestrian Etiquette

Remember that we are always sharing the sidewalk with our friends afoot! We must always be respectful of their space and slower rate of travel. This means the burden is on us to adjust our speed and path any time we encounter pedestrians. 

• Slow your roll: when pedestrians are present, slow your speed to a fast walking speed if you intend to pass them.
• Passing from behind: always give a friendly notice as to not frighten the pedestrian. Remember our e-rides are very quiet!
• Walk around: if the path is congested ahead, step off your ride and walk around. It is not the responsibility of pedestrians or crowds to clear a path for you.
• Keep your distance: never swerve around people or property by cutting too close. No matter how skilled you may be, you can't control the unexpected. 
• Use caution around storefronts: never ride alongside doorways too closely. It’s very common for pedestrians to quickly emerge from doorways without looking, and some businesses have doors that open into the sidewalk space.
• Crosswalks, Garage Doors, & Alleyways: Slow down and look both ways before entering any of these spaces. Drivers do not expect anyone on the sidewalk to be moving faster than walking speed, so always slow down when approaching any space that may have car traffic.

Let's keep the conversation going! What else can / should we all be doing to be as courteous and safe as possible towards others that share our riding space?