Created Sunday 31 May 2020

See also: Autos | Transportation | electric_riding_scooters

Micah Toll - Jan. 6th 2020 3:01 am ET

The Stator electric scooter, which is one of the most interesting designs we’ve seen for a standing electric scooter, is finally heading to market.

And based on the comments we received when I first covered the Stator electric scooter prototype over a year ago, there has been some serious pent-up demand for a scooter like this.

https://electrek.co/2020/01/06/stator-electric-scooter-giant-wheel-30-mph/

Micah Toll - Jan. 10th 2020 10:36 am ET

Electric scooters are a fun way to get around town, offering the thrill of a standing riding position like a skateboard but with the stability that comes with holding on to handlebars. But while lower speed scooters like a Bird or Lime are convenient for short commutes, faster electric scooters offer more utility and fun. Here are the top 5 fastest electric scooters we’ve tested that are available in 2020.

https://electrek.co/2020/01/10/top-5-fastest-electric-scooters-for-2020/

Maren Estrada on December 13th, 2019 at 4:46 PM

If you’re in the market for a new electric scooter to cut down on your commuting costs or just to have some fun, we’ve got some terrific news for you on Friday. Remember the Gotrax|GXL V2 Commuting Electric Scooter we loved so much that went on sale at its lowest price ever on Black Friday? Well, today it’s back on sale at the same price! From style and design to range, top speed, and portability, the GXL V2 has it all. Definitely check it out while it’s on sale for just $248.

https://bgr.com/2019/12/13/best-electric-scooter-deal-on-amazon-now/

Victor - 08 December 2019

An electric scooter review? Well, yes. If it wasn't painfully obvious from our content already, we are major geeks here at the GSMArena office and we don't really discriminate in that passion of ours either. From servers, cameras, drones to cars and even appliances, chances are you can easily find at least one expert in the team. And when it comes to electric scooters, we kind of have an entire team going with around 7 different electric scooters owned and scrutinized, maintained and modded on a daily basis.

https://www.gsmarena.com/turboant_x7_electric_scooter_review-news-40434.php

Micah Toll - Dec. 8th 2019 3:11 am ET

The electric scooter company Unicorn was quick to show off its flashy white electric scooter and take customers’ money for pre-orders. It was slower to deliver, and ultimately failed to do.

https://electrek.co/2019/12/08/unicorn-electric-scooter-shuts-down-no-refunds/

Micah Toll - Nov. 3rd 2019 6:35 am ET

Swagtron is back (again) with another product announcement this week. This time the company is rolling out two new electric scooters with bargain prices. Check out the new Swagtron Swagger 7 and Swagger 8 electric scooters below.

The new Swagtron Swagger 7 e-scooter

Swagtron refers to its Swagger 7 electric scooter as “a no-frills, affordable commuter scooter,” and that seems about right.

The scooter is priced at $440, but currently has an introductory price of just $399, making it one of the most affordable scooters out there.

The Swagger 7 doesn’t come with many fancy features, though it is one of the few electric scooters on the market to offer a removable battery.

The 6.4 Ah battery on the Swagger 7 isn’t huge, tipping the capacity scales at just 230 Wh. But it should be enough for around 8 miles (13 km) of range. This is definitely a scooter designed for traveling within the city, as opposed to some other suburban commuter scooters that offer over 50 miles (80 km) of range. But the removable battery option on the Swagger 7 means you could quickly swap it for a second pack to double your range.

https://electrek.co/2019/11/03/swagtron-new-electric-scooters-swagger-7/

https://electrek.co/2019/11/26/review-emove-cruiser-25-mph-electric-scooter/

https://electrek.co/2019/12/31/upgraded-dual-motor-1000-w-widewheel-pro-electric-scooter/

Dockless scooters seemed at first like a sidewalk scourge, but they’re changing city streets for the better.

By Benjamin Schneider - April 27, 20205:45 AM

In September, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced a plan to triple the size of the city’s protected bike lane network by the end of 2021. Following in the footsteps of similar declarations by mayors of denser, bluer cities, the network expansion—from 4 to 12 miles—isn’t particularly ambitious. But Atlanta’s cycling plan is notable because of its impetus: the surging popularity of shared e-scooters, and the road safety issues they lay bare.

https://slate.com/technology/2020/04/dockless-scooters-cities-safer-better.html

Micah Toll - May. 21st 2020 5:25 am ET

There’s nothing wrong with an entry-level electric scooter, but sometimes 15 mph (25 km/h) just doesn’t cut it on bigger roads. That’s when the next class of scooters, with 25 mph (40 km/h) speeds and larger batteries, show their true worth.

Today we’re going to compare two of the most popular 25 mph electric scooters that still offer a compact design for convenient commuting. Let’s get started with the face-off between the WideWheel Pro and the E-Twow GT electric scooters!

Before you ask, “But what about the…” let me point out that there are lots of great electric scooters in this class.

https://electrek.co/2020/05/21/battle-of-the-compact-25-mph-e-scooters-widewheel-pro-vs-e-twow-gt/

by Gabrielle DeSantison May 27, 2020

Electric scooters are optimal for big-city folk who don’t want the hassle and stress of owning or driving a car. Parking, traffic, and a number of other problems plague car owners in cities like New York City and Los Angeles and sometimes getting around on something more compact and easy sounds like the better option. Less common than most cars, it’s hard to tell what electric scooters are worth your time and money, and which ones to avoid. Lucky for us, Consumer Reports has tested a few and gave us the tea on what’s what.

https://www.motorbiscuit.com/consumer-reports-tested-these-electric-scooters-and-said/

https://electrek.co/2019/11/19/turboant-x7-electric-scooter-review-18-mph/

by Cities Today — 30 May 2020

This article was originally published by Sarah Wray on Cities Today, the leading news platform on urban mobility and innovation, reaching an international audience of city leaders. For the latest updates follow Cities Today on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube, or sign up for Cities Today News.

A fleet of 100 remote-controlled scooters is being piloted at the city-owned Curiosity Lab technology testing ground in Peachtree Corners, Georgia. It is understood to be the first trial of its type on public roads.

Citizens will be able to hail a scooter via an app and the vehicle will be automatically returned to a base when the ride is over. Go X created the scooter and ride-hailing app, while Tortoise developed the remote repositioning system.

During the initial pilot, which will run for six months, the scooters will use geo-fencing to ensure they stay within the designated 500-acre Curiosity Lab technology park, where 7,500 people work and more than 1,000 people live. The City of Peachtree Corners passed an ordinance mandating that all shared micromobility devices deployed are capable of automated repositioning to increase the accessibility of shared e-scooters while avoiding the sidewalk clutter and public safety challenges that many other cities have experienced.

https://thenextweb.com/shift/2020/05/30/first-public-trial-of-self-driving-scooters-launches-in-the-us-syndication/

From the makers of the Copenhagen Wheel

By Sean O'Kane - Jun 4, 2020, 12:18pm EDT

Boston-based micromobility startup Superpedestrian is launching a shared electric scooter-sharing service called Link, which is built around the super durable and smart e-scooters the company announced in late 2018.

To bolster that effort, Superpedestrian is acquiring “substantially all of the assets” of fellow Boston mobility startup Zagster, in what is the latest in a rash of consolidations in the space brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Superpedestrian tells The Verge it specifically bought the “permits, software and other IP, and talent” related to Zagster’s scooter fleet division, which is in line with what the Boston Business Journal first reported last Friday. It appears that whatever is left of Zagster has gone under.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/6/4/21275087/zagster-acquisition-bike-share-superpedestrian-copenhagen-wheel

Shoshana Wodinsky - 9 June 2020 4:58PM

This week, the EFF announced it’d be partnering with the California-based branches of the ACLU in filing a joint lawsuit against the entire city of Los Angeles for collecting “detailed trip data,” along with the “real-time locations and routes” for the tens of thousands of scooters that LA residents ride each day.

The suit was filed yesterday on behalf of Eric Alejo and Justin Sanchez, two scooter riders who, along with the Northern and Southern branches of California’s ACLU, are looking to get a court order quashing the current regulations being conducted by the Los Angeles Department of Transportation—or LADOT for short. Under the current mandate, so-called “dockless vehicles”—like the scooters operated by JUMP, Lyft, and Lime—aren’t only required to collect minute-by-minute details about every trip taken within Los Angeles’s city limits, but to hand that data to city officials.

https://gizmodo.com/los-angeles-has-turned-scooters-into-data-mining-machin-1843969104

Micah Toll - Jun. 13th 2020 6:15 am ET

The Walkcar from Cocoa Motors has been making rounds on the internet for years since its debut, but is now finally available for sale.

Laptop-sized Walkcar e-scooter begins sales

Imagine if your laptop had wheels, and you stood on top of it to ride around the city.

That’s pretty much what you get with the Walkcar electric scooter.

It features four wheels, making it almost like an electric skateboard. Almost, but not quite.

https://electrek.co/2020/06/13/walkcar-electric-scooter-laptop-sized-escooter/

Andrew Liszewski - 12 June 2020 9:20AM

We first discovered the WalkCar—a stand-on, electric-powered scooter that looks like a laptop with four wheels attached—back in 2015, when Cocoa Motors first debuted its intriguing car alternative. After five years of promises and teases, it looks like the WalkCar is finally available for sale, for a little over $1,800.

Unlike an electric scooter that puts all of the acceleration and braking controls on the handlebars, the WalkCar works more like the two-wheeled hoverboards that were all the rage a while ago, minus the balancing part and, hopefully, the terrifying random fires. Riders accelerate, brake, and steer by shifting their body weight forward and back, and side to side, while riding on the WalkCar.

https://gizmodo.com/you-can-finally-buy-that-scooter-that-looks-like-a-lapt-1844009895

These electric scooters will help you navigate the streets of New York, San Francisco or wherever you are as things hopefully get back to normal.

Joseph Kaminski - June 27, 2020 4:00 a.m. PT

https://www.cnet.com/news/the-best-electric-scooter-options-for-2020/

Micah Toll - Jul. 9th 2020 10:15 am ET

You know those standing electric scooters that have become so popular just about everywhere? Imagine souped-up versions flying through urban race circuits at 60 MPH. As it turns out, you won’t have to imagine it for long once the Electric Scooter Championship (or eSkootr for short) gets going next year.

The brainchild of a group of Formula E and F1 drivers, the new racing series is planning to pit high-powered and high-speed electric scooters and their riders against each other in a test of riding skill.

https://electrek.co/2020/07/09/eskootr-60-mph-standing-electric-scooter-racing/

Love 'em or hate 'em, they're probably here to stay.

Aug 01, 2020 at 9:25am By: InsideEVs Editorial Team

There’s a quiet revolution taking place in our city centers, but depending on who you ask, it’s either an annoying fad or the future of urban transportation. Here are six things you need to know about e-kickscooters.

Cheaper than the bus, more convenient than a bike and less sweaty than walking, the electric kickscooter has become a useful addition to a widening range of transport options, all designed to help cities from Paris to Portland move its millions of residents in a socially responsible way.

E-scooters are considered part of a far bigger movement called ‘micromobility’, which promotes battery-powered, utility-based transportation solutions that weigh less than 500kg.

With 50% of all European urban car trips being completed within a radius of three miles*, the plan here isn’t to have people switch from riding and walking to micromobility. The plan is to replace single-occupancy cars, where pollution, congestion and the proportional use of energy per trip, is much higher.

https://insideevs.com/reviews/436722/video-electric-scooter-basics/amp/

The ideal shared electric scooter would work and look quite differently.

Oct 27, 2020 - By Devin Liddell and Joshua Maruska

Shared electric scooters are the vanguard of new micromobility fleets that are being deployed in cities across the United States. There are good reasons for this. Along with dockless bicycles, electric scooters get people between transit stops and their actual destination—the proverbial “last mile”—and provide new options for short- and medium-distance trips underserved by buses, subways, and light rail. Plus, in a transportation landscape transformed by the coronavirus, electric scooters offer solo, open-air, socially distanced mobility.

But there are also concerns about these vehicles. With their small wheelbases and upright riding positions, electric scooters present safety risks—especially for inexperienced riders and pedestrians around them. Even without a rider, electric scooters can clog sidewalks, which creates hazards for people with disabilities. There are social equity challenges, too, since shared electric scooter fleets are typically accessed via smartphone apps. People making less than $30,000 per year are still 10% less likely to own a smartphone than the general U.S. population, and just over half of those older than 65 own such a device.

Taken together, these challenges point to an overarching truth: The shared electric scooters we have now are not the vehicles that cities would have designed to serve commuters. In fact, the ideal shared electric scooter would work and look quite differently. Here’s how.

https://www.fastcompany.com/90568413/scooters-are-badly-designed-and-increase-inequality-heres-how-to-fix-them?

Travis VanderZanden / 10:18 AM PST•November 16, 2020

Four years ago, shared e-scooters didn’t exist. Today, they’re on track to surpass half a billion rides globally by 2021, far outpacing early growth in the carbon-heavy ride-hailing industry founded by Uber in 2009.

That’s a dramatic shift in urban transportation by any measure, and it prompts a simple but important question: How did we get here?

https://techcrunch.com/2020/11/16/5-key-innovations-taking-e-scooters-to-a-half-billion-rides-in-2021/

Published Sun, Dec 20 202012:33 PM ESTUpdated Sun, Dec 20 20201:10 PM EST

Salvador Rodriguez

Gas-fueled motor scooters like Vespas and non-motorized scooters like Razors have been around for ages, but with the rise of companies like Lime and Bird, electric scooters have become a common sight on city streets.

At the start of 2020, I found myself riding around on electric scooters instead of taking more costly Uber and Lyft rides. So in February, I decided to bite the bullet and buy my own.

Riding around San Francisco in my small but speedy Xiaomi Mi electric scooter was one of the highlights of this very weird and mostly indoors 2020. The way I felt as I rode down the San Francisco Embarcadero at sunset in view of the Bay Bridge is an experience imprinted in my mind, and one that I can’t wait to recreate once we return to work in the office.

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/20/why-you-should-buy-an-electric-scooter.html

by Tudor Rus, - May 26, 2020, 00:00

The e-scooter industry might still be in its infancy, but these electrically-powered machines are enjoying an increasing amount of popularity by the day. People living in big cities have rushed to adopt this new trend out of purely practical reasons - with so many cars stuck in traffic, e-scooters are the shortcut more, and more people are willing to take. Factor in their relatively low maintenance costs and the fact that you can easily fold them for storage or transport purposes, plus the advantage of not getting to your destination with a sweaty back, like it happens with bicycles or kick scooters, and you get an unbeatable recipe.

But with high demand comes high offer. With more and more people looking to get an e-scooter, companies that produce them have multiplied like rabbits, and others are joining them as we speak. This means that you, the buyers, now has hundreds of options to choose from, from low-end, cheap e-scooters to performance and off-road-oriented ones. So, which one is best for you? Well, only you can decide that, but we’ll give you a hand with a guide that touches on what key aspects you should consider before placing that order.

https://www.topspeed.com/lifestyle/guides/electric-scooter-buying-guideeverything-you-need-to-consider-ar186031.html

Considering an e-scooter? Check out these vital maintenance tips before you buy.

Stefan Ionescu - 24 August 2021

E-scooters are a hot topic. As expected, this has also drawn some negative attention to this corner of the market, with important discussions about driving laws and long-term maintenance. Laws are already changing in some places, and new legislation is being proposed to tackle the issues that have arisen due to the wide adoption of e-scooters.

But what about e-scooter maintenance? Can a poorly maintained e-scooter be dangerous? If you’re concerned about investing in an e-scooter for this reason, read on to find out how to get the most out of your purchase.

https://www.makeuseof.com/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-escooter-with-proper-maintenance/

Micah Toll - Sep. 25th 2021 4:00 am PT

When it comes to crazy electric vehicles from Alibaba, I’ve seen and written about seemingly every category under the sun. From animal-shaped electric boats and e-submarines to electric versions of Henry Ford’s Model T and even electric motorcycles with only one wheel. But never before have I found a direct-from-China EV that was as equal parts fascinating and suicidal as this one. And so it is with a combination of morbid curiosity and substantial trepidation that I present to you this week’s Awesomely Weird Alibaba Electric Vehicle of the Week: a 60+ mph (100 km/h) standing electric scooter.

You know, like a Bird electric scooter. The kind you ride to go get a coffee.

Except this one looks like it ate a few Bird scooters. And it’s the kind you stand up on to go meet Odin in Valhalla.

This massive electric scooter touts a peak power rating of 8,000 W from a pair of gigantic hub motors. That’s enough power to rocket this bad-idea-on-wheels to a claimed 100 km/h, or 62 mph.

https://electrek.co/2021/09/25/awesomely-weird-alibaba-ev-of-the-week-60-mph-standing-electric-scooter-death-machine/

These scooters can race at 60 mph, which might not sound fast, but could be dangerous.

Andrew Liszewski - 29 September 2021 5:00PM

If a vehicle can go fast, you better believe people are going to race it. Boats, planes, motorcycles; there are racing leagues for almost every type of vehicle imaginable. Next year, electric scooters are getting in on the action now that the eSkootr Championship has finalized what every racer will be riding.

Developed by an Italian company called YCOM, which worked alongside the eSC, the S1-X eSkooter doesn’t look dramatically different to the rentable electric scooters you see cruising around the downtown cores of many cities. But weighing in at 77 pounds, you don’t want to find yourself having to carry one of these up a flight of stairs en route to your office—even with a carbon fiber chassis that provides maximum aerodynamics. Hidden beneath that bodywork are front and rear suspension elements, and a pair of six kW electric motors that rely on a special torque delivery system that ensures the power is always evenly balanced between the two wheels.

https://gizmodo.com/electric-scooter-racing-is-here-to-melt-and-or-scrape-y-1847769999

Rebecca Bellan - 7:00 AM PDT November 3, 2021

ingapore-based Neuron Mobility, an e-scooter-sharing company, is updating its N3 scooters with a new operating system and additional on-board sensors that will help it detect and correct dangerous or inconsiderate riding behavior. The company will be trialing about 1,500 upgraded scooters in Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom over the next six months.

Neuron’s new scooters will rely on high-accuracy location technology and rapid geo-fence detection in order to correct or warn users of unsafe behaviors, like aggressive swerving, skidding, curb jumping, tandem riding and sidewalk riding. The new sensors and IoT layer allow the scooter to speak to the rider in many different languages and guide them toward correcting their own behavior, or it might give riders a safety evaluation after a ride and send educational materials on how to ride safely via email. In extreme circumstances, the scooter will be able to simply slow riders to a stop, combined with an audio message like: “You are leaving the service area, head back or power will be cut off.”

In the long-term, all riders will get an individual safety rating, which Neuron hopes will incentivize good behavior, target certain riders for safety training and ban repeat offenders.

https://techcrunch.com/2021/11/03/e-scooter-company-neuron-trials-1500-scooters-that-can-detect-and-correct-unsafe-riding/

Romain Dillet - 10:01 AM PST November 26, 2021

Riding a scooter in Paris will soon feel incredibly… slow. The City of Paris has announced that scooter sharing services should restrict the maximum top speed to 10km/h (that’s 6.2mph). That decision comes following a number of pedestrian injuries that involved a scooter.

Paris has been an important market for scooter sharing companies. It’s a dense city with an important network of bike lanes. There are also a lot of tourists looking for different ways to explore the city.

For those reasons, the situation used to be a bit out of control. At some point, 16 different scooter startups wanted to operate a fleet of scooters in Paris. Paris ended up selecting three companies and implementing a set of rules. Dott, Lime and Tier won permits to operate shared electric scooters for two years.

https://techcrunch.com/2021/11/26/paris-asks-scooter-sharing-services-to-restrict-speed-to-10km-h/

*They're probably fine

Richard Currie - Fri 28 Jan 2022 11:03 UTC

Poll Boffins from UCL's Person-Environment-Activity Research Laboratory (PEARL) have linked arms with London e-scooter providers to decide on a “universal sound” for the silent but deadly transport mode.

It remains illegal in the UK to use a privately owned battery-powered deathtrap, but that hasn't stopped the great unwashed – as anyone who has suddenly had to dive off the path during a parkland walk will tell you.

However, to allow the craze in a regulated environment, rental firms have been popping up all over the country – including TIER, Lime and Dott in London – as evidenced by the amount of scooters cluttering pedestrian walkways or, indeed, the local river.

But since they are near-enough silent, except for the gentle rolling of the wheels, e-scooters are faced with a similar conundrum to electric car makers – that is, how should they sound for the sake of the safety of people on the street, and particularly those with sight loss.

https://www.theregister.com/2022/01/28/escooter_sound/

Buying your first electric scooter? These are the most important factors to consider before splashing the cash.

Elliot Nesbo - 8 February 2022

Electric scooters are increasingly popular as a mode of transport. They provide the convenience of a bicycle in a smaller package and without the need to peddle.

If you're trying to decide which electric scooter to buy, it's important to consider your personal circumstances. Electric scooters are available in a wide range of different sizes, and the right choice for you depends on what you want to use it for.

Here are a few things to consider when buying an electric scooter.

https://www.makeuseof.com/how-to-choose-an-electric-scooter/

Robin Abcarian, Columnist - April 3, 2022 3:05 AM PT

Three years ago, Danny Peña, then 23, was on his way to a job interview at a sandwich shop, riding a Bird e-scooter. He was an experienced rider; in less than a year, he had rented e-scooters more than 400 times in Los Angeles.

On that bright, sunny day, he had traveled almost a mile when his Bird crashed into a sidewalk buckled by invasive tree roots.

Eyewitnesses testified that after he hit the uplifted concrete, he pitched headfirst into an Indian laurel fig tree and ended up in the street, a heavily trafficked stretch of La Brea Avenue just south of Washington Boulevard. In the crash, two portions of his cervical spine and part of his skull were fractured.

Peña would never walk again.

https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2022-04-03/bird-scooter-paralyzed-man-accident-suit-legal-fees

April 20, 2022 at 6:00 am / Updated April 20, 2022 at 12:47 pm - Amanda Zhou, Seattle Times staff reporter

It’s been nearly a year and a half since the first electric rental scooters hit Seattle streets amid concerns of safety, access and obstructions on sidewalks.

Over 1.4 million trips were taken by 260,000 riders during the pilot program between September 2020 and October 2021, with the initial fleet size of around 1,500 colorful devices growing to 5,000 citywide, according to a report recently released by the Seattle Department of Transportation.

Four companies — Lime, Link, Wheels and Spin — currently deploy scooters, and SDOT says the devices are here to stay, with the pilot laying the groundwork for a permanent program.

Spokesperson Ethan Bergerson said the application process for the next round of permits opened last Monday, which will allow up to four vendors in the city. Those vendors could include the companies from the pilot or new ones, he said.

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/what-seattle-learned-from-one-year-of-electric-scooters

Reviving a retired scooter from a popular ridesharing service.

January 9, 2019 - Adam Zeloof (KD2MRG)

Sam and I were fortunate enough to (legally) come across a retired electric scooter and decided getting it going again would be a fun project- if, for no other reason, because this predominately West-Coast fad would look so out of place in NJ and Pittsburgh. We started with a teardown (gallery below), during which we learned that the scooter is powered by a 36V, 12.8Ah, 460.8Wh 10-cell LiPo battery which takes up the majority of the steering column. Above the battery is where the column mates to the handlebar assembly. A board which houses the ESC and charging circuitry lives in that region. The board has a STM32 microcontroller which receives UART commands from the on-board Android “cell phone” (housed in the green box on the front) to activate the ESC. The speedometer is above the ESC/charger, and is a screen which displays speed, battery level, connectivity, etc. It is controlled by a small board below it. The throttle is a hall effect sensor and provides an analog voltage output, which is read by the ESC. The motor is housed within the front wheel and is rated at 250W. There is also an encoder which reports wheel revolutions to the control board. Before we get to the fun part (how we made it move again), here’s the teardown gallery:

https://adam.zeloof.xyz/2019/01/09/electric-scooter-revival/

9 Dec 2019 - Swen Künzel

Why? and How?

E-scooters started to clutter the streets, and unfortunately also the sidewalks, of Lisbon. For a test ride after a late dinner, I installed the application of Circ (formerly Flash). The disappointment was huge after the scooter did not pick up more speed than I could go myself on foot. Something was certainly off with the battery, engine or power circuit and I was not happy about the 1 Euro spent for unlocking it.

The next day I decided to have a closer look at their iOS application. I used mitmproxy to intercept the traffic between my phone and the Circ API while using the app. One of the most interesting requests happened when I scrolled on the map so see scooters to rent around me.

https://sknzl.github.io/posts/tracking-electric-scooters-in-lisbon/

89% of citizens want them gone – at least among the 7.46% who showed up to vote

Brandon Vigliarolo - Mon 3 Apr 2023 17:26 UTC

Citizens of Paris voted on Sunday to ban e-scooters from the City of Love, and Mayor Anne Hidalgo responded by promising that the fleets of rechargeable rentables would be gone come September.

The outcome was overwhelming, with 89 percent of votes cast in favor of the ban, though only 103,084 of Paris's 1,382,322 registered voters participated – around 7.5 percent. In a summary of the vote, the Parisian government noted that the final decision on the ban fell to city officials, who didn't appear to plan on countermanding the non-binding outcome.

“This evening, the Parisians who spoke overwhelmingly spoke out against self-service scooters. Their very clear message now becomes our roadmap. With my team, we will follow through on their decision as I promised,” Hidalgo said.

Only three companies are currently authorized to operate electric scooter fleets in Paris – Lime, Dott and Tier – which were granted three-year contracts in 2020 after Parisians voiced their dissatisfaction with a 2018 rollout in the city. Per Paris's government, the public domain occupancy agreements the three operators have all end on August 31, and it seems Hidalgo doesn't plan to renew them.

https://www.theregister.com/2023/04/03/parisians_vote_ban_e_scooters/

April 3, 202312:19 AM ET - The Associated Press

PARIS — Parisians have overwhelmingly voted to banish the French capital's ubiquitous for-hire e-scooters from their streets, in a mini-referendum the mayor said sent a “very clear message.”

The 15,000 opinion-dividing mini-machines could now vanish from central Paris at the end of August when the city's contracts with the three operators expire.

The question that City Hall asked voters in its citywide mini-referendum on Sunday was: “For or against self-service scooters in Paris?”

The result wasn't close. City Hall said on its website about 103,000 people voted, with 89% rejecting e-scooters and just 11% supporting them.

Turnout was very low. The vote had been open to all of Paris' 1.38 million registered voters.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo hailed the vote as a success and repeated her vow to respect the outcome of the consultative referendum.

The voters' “very clear message now becomes our guide,” she said. “With my team, we'll follow up on their decision as I had pledged.”

https://www.npr.org/2023/04/03/1167679291/parisians-overwhelmingly-vote-to-expel-e-scooters-from-their-streets

Posted by msmash on Monday April 03, 2023 07:00AM

Paris voted overwhelmingly Sunday to banish for-hire electric scooters from the streets of the French capital, delivering a blow to operators and a victory for road safety campaigners. From a report:

The referendum means the City of Light, once a pioneer in embracing e-scooter services, is set to become the only major European capital to outlaw the widespread devices booked on apps such as Lime. The city's residents were asked to weigh in for or against them in a public consultation organised by mayor Anne Hidalgo, with nearly 90 percent of the votes cast against, official results showed. “We're happy. It's what we've been fighting for over four years,” said Arnaud Kielbasa, co-founder of the Apacauvi charity, which represents victims of e-scooter accidents. “All Parisians say they are nervous on the pavements, nervous when they cross the roads. You need to look everywhere,” Kielbasa, whose wife and infant daughter were hit by an e-scooter driver, told AFP. “That's why they've voted against them.”

https://slashdot.org/story/23/04/03/1232209/paris-votes-to-ban-rental-e-scooters

In a landslide, almost 90% of those who showed up at the Paris, France polls voted to ban the pay-to-ride scooters—dealing a blow to companies like Lime.

Lauren Leffer - 3 April 2023

E-scooters are set to make a final French exit from the City of Lights. Residents of Paris, France have overwhelmingly voted to ban the electric micro mobility rentals in a Sunday referendum.

Turn-out was low: Just 103,084 people (about 7.5% of registered voters) showed up to weigh in. But among that subset, electric scooters proved profoundly unpopular. More than 89% of people cast their ballots against the continuation of self-service e-scooter rentals, according to results posted to the city’s website.

The vote doesn’t impact privately owned, personal scooters nor e-bikes, but does hurt the three self-service scooter rental companies operating in the French city: Lime, Dott, and Tier whose e-scooters have proliferated around Paris in recent years. There, as in many metropolitan areas around the world, the battery-powered micro mobility devices have stirred controversy and introduced some novel city-planning and regulatory conundrums since their arrival.

https://gizmodo.com/e-scooter-electric-scooter-paris-lime-dott-tier-1850293357

If you're looking for an e-scooter ride-share, you better opt for one of these.

Alex Ramos - 25 September 2022

E-bikes are taking over the urban transportation landscape, but e-scooters are also an important player fighting for people's attention. If you're considering using an e-scooter ride-sharing service, you must know that there are quite a few choices. In addition, not all e-scooter ride-sharing companies offer the same benefits, and it's important to know the difference.

So, what are the best e-scooter ride-sharing companies?

https://www.makeuseof.com/best-escooter-ride-sharing-companies/

Micah Toll - Oct. 19th 2022 1:00 am PT

The Äike T electric scooter was already positioned as one of the most tech-infused and highly engineered scooters in the world. But now the company is pushing the envelope even further by bringing a feature normally only found in electric cars to the European manufacturer’s light electric two-wheeler.

Äike’s new smart-unlock feature allows riders to unlock their electric scooters simply by walking up to the scooter.

Most electric scooters and e-bikes don’t offer any security locking as a software feature. Those that do usually rely on a time-consuming pin code system that often gets disabled by the owner due to the inconvenience.

But Äike’s smart-unlock ensures that only the rider can operate the scooter while still making the unlocking process quick and easy.

Thanks to a Bluetooth connection automatically created by the user’s phone via the Äike app, all the rider has to do is walk up to the Äike T electric scooter. It then automatically unlocks as the rider approaches, ready for a ride.

https://electrek.co/2022/10/19/high-tech-aike-t-electric-scooter-gets-worlds-first-proximity-unlocking-feature/

This new-for-2020 electric scooter can hit 40mph.

Joseph Kaminski - April 4, 2020 4:00 a.m. PT

Not all electric scooters are created equal. There are short-distance ones for last-mile commutes, and then heftier models that could even replace a car for local travel. The Apollo Pro scooter falls into the later category. It starts at $1,849 (about £1,505 or $3,080) and it's much more than a last-mile scooter.

This isn't something you carry around, but something that brings you places. It has a top speed of 40 miles per hour (64 kilometers an hour), though my personal best was 35mph. The high speed is possible due to its dual 1,000-watt motors. The ride is exceptionally smooth, too, with 10-inch, air-filled tires and dual-spring shock suspension, and wide handlebars that absorbs shocks from the ground.

https://www.cnet.com/news/apollo-pro-scooter-one-of-the-fastest-scooters-weve-ridden/

April 16th, 2020 by Kyle Field

The folks at Apollo Scooters reached out to us about their new line of premium electric scooters. So many electric scooters these days are built as cheaply as possible and if they break, are doomed to be thrown away. Apollo Scooters are being billed as more durable, higher quality builds, thanks to their vertical integration of manufacturing, service, and sales.

https://cleantechnica.com/2020/04/16/the-apollo-light-electric-scooter-brings-premium-features-at-an-affordable-pricepoint/

Micah Toll - Jun. 26th 2020 8:30 am E

The Apollo Explore electric scooter features a high top speed, big battery, comfortable suspension, and folds for storage. And if that wasn’t good enough, we’ve got a coupon code for you below to get free stuff with the scooter!

But first, let’s check out what makes the Apollo Explore such a great scooter for both work and play.

https://electrek.co/2020/06/26/apollo-explore-32-mph-electric-scooter-review/

Micah Toll - Sep. 21st 2020 10:04 am ET

High-performance scooters like the Apollo Pro take many of the advantages of generic electric scooters, then combine them with more power and higher quality parts to open the door to countless more adventures.

With dual high power motors, a huge battery, and full suspension for leaving manicured roads in your wake, the Apollo Pro has just about everything you need to get a serious rush (or a sensible commute).

First of all, I should point out that there are a few different versions of the Apollo Pro electric scooter. While they have similar structures, their main differences are their power levels and brakes.

I tested the mid-level version with a 52V battery and hydraulic disc brakes, but I’ll mention the others as well so you get an idea of just how ludicrous these things get (hint hint).

https://electrek.co/2020/09/21/apollo-pro-review-testing-2000w-38-mph-electric-scooter/

Micah Toll - Jan. 25th 2021 9:50 am ET

Between its powerful motor and large battery, the Apollo Ghost electric scooter has a lot going for it. But one of my favorite parts has to be the long-travel suspension that makes this scooter a true urban assault scooter.

Whether it’s bouncing over potholes or hopping curbs, the Apollo Ghost is built tough enough to take it all.

And the same long-travel dual-swingarm suspension makes it possible to head off-road on the same scooter you’d ride to class.

Each wheel sports an 800W motor in a larger-than-average tire.

https://electrek.co/2021/01/25/apollo-ghost-review-testing-a-34-mph-electric-scooter-with-better-suspension-than-my-first-car/

Aprilia eSR1 - Front Left Three Quarter View

Dec 23, 2020 at 10:19am ET - Janaki Jitchotvisut

Kicking off the new year oh so quietly.

At the beginning of December, 2020, the motorcycle world was abuzz with news of what appeared to be a new Piaggio Group trademark filing. I know, I know—not the kind of thing that immediately gets your heart racing, if you’re a fairly normal person. For some of us, though, it's a mystery just begging to be solved. So, we immediately retrieved our magnifying glasses and deerstalker caps and pulled out our shovels to dig up every scrap and detail we could.

The trademark bore the name eSR1, which on its face suggested an electrified iteration of Aprilia’s SR-series scooters. Those well-known, sporty, small-displacement scoots have been around for some time as piston-powered machines.

However, closer examination of the trademark filing indicated that the Piaggio Group was thinking bigger than that. While it could certainly use eSR1 branding that way, a path seemed to open for e-bikes, or indeed other electric two- and three-wheeled vehicles and accessories. You name it, and as long as it doesn’t have four or more wheels, this trademark filing seems to cover it.

https://www.rideapart.com/news/462016/aprilia-esr1-electric-kick-scooter-coming/amp/

https://bgr.com/2019/12/22/electric-scooter-sale-on-amazon-today-only-bird-349/

Bird Three features a battery with up to a 1 kWh capacity.

Igor Bonifacic - May 27th, 2021

Bird today introduced its latest electric scooter, the Bird Three. It has a longer wheelbase and wider handlebars that come coated with an anti-microbial agent. Internally, Bird Three features a battery with a capacity of “up to 1 kWh.” That's a much larger power cell than you'll find in the company's previous One and Two models and even other scooters. The battery is also hermetically sealed and IP68-rated against water and dust. In fact, with a claimed lifespan of at least 14,000 miles, the battery in most Bird Three models is likely to outlive the scooter in which it's installed. The company claims it's a design that's better for the environment. “Smaller and swappable batteries lead to higher overall manufacturing emissions and require more vehicle miles traveled to retrieve, replace, and recharge scooters,” Bird says.

https://www.engadget.com/bird-three-172619972.html?src=rss_b2c&guccounter=1

Rebecca Bellan / 3:00 AM PDT•October 13, 2021

Shared micromobility operator Bird is getting on the scooter ADAS bandwagon. After three years of research, the company has finally launched new technology that can detect when a rider is scooting on the sidewalk and slowly bring them to a stop.

The new tech is currently being piloted in hundreds of scooters in Milwaukee and San Diego, and is expected to reach Madrid early next year, as well as other cities around the world in the coming months. Scott Rushforth, chief vehicle officer at Bird, said all new vehicles are being built with the tech, and that we can expect “tens or hundreds of thousands” of sidewalk detection-equipped vehicles to come off the assembly line between now and the beginning of next year.

The new feature, designed to address the most annoying and dangerous shared micromobility concern of cities everywhere, is made possible through a partnership with u-blox, a Swiss company that produces wireless semiconductors and high-precision positioning modules. Together, the two companies co-developed a unique version of u-blox’s ZED-F9R module, tailored specifically to meet the needs of the shared micromobility industry, according to Bird.

https://techcrunch.com/2021/10/13/bird-vehicles-can-now-accurately-detect-sidewalk-riding-and-slow-riders-to-a-stop/

If the endless beeps and phone notifications aren't enough for badly behaved riders, the company will just grind their vehicle to a halt.

Shoshana Wodinsky - 13 October 2021 12:50PM

Anyone who lives in a city where electric scooters are rampant has probably seen how dangerous those devices can be when they move from streets to sidewalks. Sidewalk scooter riders aren’t only way more likely to injure pedestrians and themselves when they go off-road, they also look—let’s be real—incredibly lame while they’re causing all that carnage. Since that’s clearly not enough to deter some of the more dick-ish scooter riders, the e-scooter giant Bird has come up with another plan: annoying its riders into staying on the road.

That’s the gist of the new “Smart Sidewalk Protection” system that the company rolled out on Wednesday morning, which is essentially an on-scooter GPS system that’s designed to track whether that scoot is on a sidewalk or any “other indications of unsafe operation.”

https://gizmodo.com/bird-scooters-will-now-annoy-riders-into-getting-off-th-1847854660

The company says the technology provides centimeter-level accuracy.

Igor Bonifacic - October 13th, 2021

If you live in a city where rideshare scooters are available, chances are you’ve had someone zip by on one while you were walking on the sidewalk. It’s an issue that local governments around the world have pushed mobility companies to address since day one. And after working on the problem since 2019, Bird thinks it has a solution.

Collaborating with a firm called U-blox, the company has developed a custom multi-sensor and GPS module it says is far more accurate than other solutions at detecting when someone drives a scooter onto a sidewalk. When you drive a Bird scooter that’s equipped with the module onto a sidewalk, it will produce an audible sound and send a notification to your smartphone. The vehicle will also slowly and smoothly come to a stop.

https://www.engadget.com/bird-u-blox-sidewalk-detection-module-100016730.html

Rebecca Bellan - 6:00 AM PST December 8, 2021

Bird, the shared micromobility company that recently went public by merging with a special purpose acquisition company, has launched two new kick scooters for sale. The Bird Flex, a foldable personal e-scooter costing $599, and the Birdie Glow, a three-wheel scooter for kids that costs $99, will add to the company’s small but growing suite of consumer micromobility vehicles.

These two new scooters, along with the Bird Bike the company launched back in August, will be available for direct-to-consumer purchases or through retail giant Target. The vehicles are only being sold in the U.S. at the moment, but Bird told TechCrunch it hopes to start selling the new scooters in Europe next year.

https://techcrunch.com/2021/12/08/shared-micromobility-company-bird-launches-two-retail-scooters-available-at-target/

KUT 90.5 | By Nathan Bernier - June 7, 2022 at 3:08 PM CDT

After Travis County's top tax collector warned he would start seizing Bird scooters to recoup unpaid property taxes, the California-based company rushed to pay its outstanding bill in full.

Bird, which rents out dockless electric scooters around Austin, had been listed among the top 10 delinquent property tax payers in Travis County for 2021. The company owed $147,195 — which was the seventh-highest unpaid bill this year, according to the county's tax office.

Tax bills went out in November 2021. The deadline to pay was Jan. 31. With additional penalties and interest, Bird owed about $149,000.

Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector Bruce Elfant says Bird hadn't been returning phone calls. His office was filing a lawsuit to seize the company's scooters and sell them off to recoup the unpaid bill.

https://www.kut.org/2022-06-07/faced-with-scooter-seizures-bird-pays-property-tax-bill-months-late

Harri Weber - 2:41 PM PDT September 21, 2022

Micromobility company Bird is boosting its president, Shane Torchiana, to CEO status in a “long-planned” shakeup that sees founding chief executive Travis VanderZanden further stripped of power.

Bird’s board also announced two other appointments: Former Archer Aviation chief financial officer Ben Lu has joined as Bird’s new CFO, taking over the role from Yibo Ling, and Bird engineering executive Lance Bradley has been promoted to chief technology officer — a role that was formerly held by product head Justin Balthrop. Amidst the shuffle, VanderZanden will stay on as chairman of Bird’s board.

https://techcrunch.com/2022/09/21/bird-board-backs-new-scooter-boss/

Harri Weber, Rebecca Bellan - 10:25 AM PST December 20, 2022

Scooter company Bird is certainly down, but it’s not yet out. 

The five-year-old firm says that it and Bird Canada — a separate, private company that licenses Bird’s software and name — will merge “as soon as possible,” with an “estimated total of $32 million in new financing” from Bird Canada’s investors, “$4 million of which has already been funded.” 

The merger news follows a rough year for Bird, which recently exited dozens of markets, alerted investors that it had inflated its revenue for two years, got a warning from the stock market that it was trading too low and might have to shutter some of its operations. This money might be just what Bird needs to stay in the scooter game, at least according to CEO and president Shane Torchiana.

https://techcrunch.com/2022/12/20/bird-tanks-on-word-that-a-canadian-company-is-saving-its-bacon/

It uses solar power to trickle-charge a battery through the day.

Daniel Cooper - September 21, 2022 10:00 AM

British micromobility startup Bo has already realized that its e-scooter of the future needs an equally futuristic charging dock. The company has today announced bo E, a parking spot that combines a small solar panel and battery to help you re-juice your ride for free. Bo E is a dock measuring 1.5 meters (4.9ft) tall by 0.5 meters (1.6ft) wide, and is designed to be anchored to the sunny corner of your home.

The idea is that the dock will, while you’re at work, gently soak up all of the available solar energy and charge its internal battery. Then, when you return home, you can connect up your Bo M scooter and let the electrons flow from one to the other overnight. Bo E also has its own 4G setup, enabling you to keep an eye on your power status when you’re not guarding over the dock itself. The company says that the scooter is sufficiently energy-efficient that such a small charge will be enough to top up its 2kWh battery, but we'll wait until we can test both in the real world before making any judgment.

https://www.engadget.com/bo-e-solar-charging-cradle-e-scooter-140055923.html

Romain Dillet / 11:00 PM PST•December 2, 2020

Bolt is best known for its ride-hailing service. But the company also operates an electric scooter service in 45 cities across Europe. Designed by the company’s in-house hardware team, the new model focuses on safety.

As you can see in the photo, it’s a big scooter (it weighs 19kg — that’s more than an average bike). It has a battery with a 40km range and it is primarily made of aluminum.

The company says it should last up to 60 months thanks to a modular design. Bolt can replace parts without having to replace the scooter altogether.

https://techcrunch.com/2020/12/02/bolt-unveils-its-fourth-generation-scooter/

Alex Wilhelm, Annie Saunders - 1:43 PM PDT August 1, 2022

With the apparent demise of Bolt Mobility, the divide between technology businesses and those that are merely tech-enabled is back at the forefront of our minds. Once a key point of discussion when the IPO market was alive, today we’re sifting through what is left of the micromobility sector, now freshly depopulated to a new local maximum.

https://techcrunch.com/2022/08/01/the-disappearance-of-bolt-mobility-shows-how-corrosive-depreciation-can-be-for-irl-startups/

https://electrek.co/2019/10/23/review-currus-nf-electric-scooter/

https://electrek.co/2019/11/14/cityrider-electric-scooter-review-fluidfreeride/

Electric scooters serve to provide efficient transportation for that last mile and the EcoReco L5 Plus is built for bigger riders who have struggled to make typical scooters work.

By Matthew Miller | August 19, 2020 – 14:21 GMT (07:21 PDT)

A couple of years ago I tested out the Mi Electric Scooter and it was a convenient way to complete the two shorts ends of my long train commute. However, I had to walk it up the steep hill into my neighborhood, so it wasn't quite as functional as I had hoped.

For the past several weeks, I've been riding around the neighborhood and on my commute route with the EcoReco L5 Plus electric scooter that is now available for $999, regularly priced at $1,399. EcoReco currently has all of its scooters available at sale prices as part of its campaign to get scooters into individual hands rather than commuters needed to rent shared scooters.

The EcoReco L5 Plus is double the price of entry-level scooters, but it is also built well and has features designed to propel bigger riders over various road conditions. I am over six feet tall and weigh 250 pounds, so electric scooters and bikes I've tested in the past provide less speed, less range, and lower performance up inclined surfaces. Thankfully, the EcoReco L5 Plus propelled me faster than I wanted to and was able to move me up steep hills with ease.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/ecoreco-l5-plus-electric-scooter-review-wide-platform-dual-wheel-suspension-high-torque-and-ample-speed/

https://electrek.co/2019/10/17/emove-cruiser-1600w-25-mph-electric-scooter/

Micah Toll - Dec 5 2022 6:49 am PT

I’ll just come out and say it: I love full-suspension electric scooters. They take a fairly small and compact EV form factor and make it possible to travel at faster speeds over rougher terrain without shaking your teeth out, and the Evolv Terra electric scooter from Urban Machina is another great addition to this rapidly growing market. While the scooter isn’t perfect, it packs in a lot of great features for a fair price.

https://electrek.co/2022/12/05/evolv-terra-review-electric-scooter/

Micah Toll - Mar. 10th 2022 6:19 am PT

The Fiido Beast is preparing for its big unveiling, where it will be one of the first of its kind electric scooters. In addition to dual motors, dual suspension, and a giant battery, this electric scooter packs another big surprise: You can sit down on it and ride it like a two-wheeled go-kart.

Yeah, it’s wild. But with so much innovation going on right now in the electric scooter space, it was only a matter of time before someone combined crazy electric karting with crazy electric scooters.

Fiido is no stranger to oddly proportioned electric scooters. And to be fair, the company has also produced more normal-ish electric bikes.

But the new Fiido Beast marks entirely uncharted territory for the popular electric micromobility company.

https://electrek.co/2022/03/10/fiidos-powerful-beast-sit-or-stand-electric-scooter-is-somehow-also-a-2-wheeled-electric-go-kart/

Micah Toll - Jul. 21st 2020 2:28 pm ET

The GoTrax XR Elite is the newest budget-minded electric scooter from GoTrax. And at the silly low price of $399, the GoTrax XR Elite is as affordable as it is whelming. Which is to say, quite.

If you want high-end suspension, underdeck lighting, a long range battery, and enough power to climb the Rockies, that’s awesome.

But look somewhere else.

Because the GoTrax XR Elite is all about filling the sensible niche of a no thrills, no frills, plain old e-scooter that just works.

Check out the scooter in action in all of its glory below with my video review. Then keep reading to get into the nuts and bolts of why the GoTrax XR Elite may be the perfect electric scooter for your budget.

https://electrek.co/2020/07/21/gotrax-xr-elite-review-a-good-enough-electric-scooter-at-a-great-enough-price/

Micah Toll - Nov. 25th 2021 9:56 am

Perhaps it is simply part of man’s basic DNA, to take any form of mobility and supercharge it for extreme thrills. That’s one explanation for how we got here today, checking out Helbiz’s ridiculously fast 62 mph (100 km/h) standing electric scooters.

But these aren’t just any electric scooters – they’ve been purposely designed to race in the new eSkootr Championship.

I had the chance to explore the Helbiz S1-X electric scooter at the EICMA 2021 Milan Motorcycle Show this week, and the final result is striking, to say the least.

The scooter hides away its giant battery and dual motors behind a sleek set of body panels that stretch across the entire surface of the vehicle.

Aerodynamics are normally not an issue on most electric scooters. But when you’re flying at 62 mph and a racing championship is on the line, that extra drag really matters.

https://electrek.co/2021/11/25/closer-look-at-helbizs-absurd-60-mph-standing-electric-scooters-built-for-new-racing-league/amp/

With a range of up to 25.6 miles, this could be the last scooter you ever need

Autoblog Staff - Oct 28th 2022 at 12:13PM

Looking for an electric scooter for yourself or a loved one? Whether you're trying to save the planet or just save some cash, an electric scooter is a great option for getting around town. Scooters are a last-mile transport option that offers a quick, convenient and fun way to commute to school, the office, or just take a ride around the block. With so many types of electric scooters on the market, choosing the right one can feel like quite a daunting task, but if you're just looking for a solid scooter at a great deal, check out this Hiboy S2 pro scooter for a huge $251 off.

https://www.autoblog.com/2022/10/28/hiboy-electric-scooter-deal/

The S1 is a plus-sized powerful scooter with dual suspension that gives a smooth urban commute.

James Hirtz - 13 June 2022

With the Inmotion S1 electric scooter, daily commuters have a stylish all-in-one ride. Similarly, those who have been hesitant to ride more compact e-scooters have a plus-sized option that makes it easier to get your bearings. Regardless of your ride level and purpose, the Inmotion S1 e-scooter offers a balanced ride for those taking it on pavement and smoother ground.

https://www.makeuseof.com/inmotion-s1-electric-scooter/

Ed Garsten, Senior Contributor - May 16, 2023,11:15am EDT

Well, this sounds either scary or cool—traveling at freeway speeds, on a scooter. Chinese e-scooter company InMotion is nearing launch of just such a powerful two-wheeler called the RS, what it describes as an “ultra-high performance e-scooter.”

“It’s high-performance for racing sports, with a maximum speed of 68 mph, a typical range of 75 miles, hill climbing capability of 50%, and IPX6 water resistance,” said InMotion CEO Bob Yan in interview conducted via email.

The RS is also a bit of a chameleon courtesy of what Yan declares as the world’s first transforming system with four angle settings for the swing arms for both front and rear wheels to adjust ground clearance for different purposes.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/edgarsten/2023/05/16/chinese-e-scooter-to-offer-micromobility-at-maximum-speed/?sh=14d023fe6cae

Micah Toll - Jun. 15th 2020 9:21 pm ET

The Inokim brand of electric scooters has long been popular in Europe and Asia. And now Miami-based Fluidfreeride has stepped up to become the first and only Inokim electric scooter source in the US.

To learn more about Inokim’s electric scooters, I visited the company’s headquarters and showroom in Tel Aviv last week to talk to the team and begin testing out the scooters.

https://electrek.co/2020/06/15/inokim-electric-scooters-begin-sales-in-the-us-from-fluidfreeride/

Probably the most fun you'll have on a scooter, and you'll go places you never thought a scooter could go.

James Bruce - 29 August 2022

The Kirin G3 is an extremely capable off-road scooter. Performance is excellent on both road and light gravel and sandy surfaces, but less so on grassland. There's certainly a limit to the type of off-roading you're going to do. It should handle anything up to the most difficult of bike trails, but the suspension is stiff, and the ride is going to get bumpy. Probably the most fun you can have on a scooter.

https://www.makeuseof.com/kugoo-kirin-g3-review-off-road-escooter/

Levy's electric scooter is one of the most versatile for its price

Napier Lopez Published April 23, 2020 — 22:02 UTC

Electric scooters were finally legalized in New York earlier this month, but they’ve been a presence in the city for years. In some ways, they feel like the perfect tool for getting around the city — as fast as a bike, but small enough to tuck into a cramped apartment or bring on a subway. Some people want a scooter that’s as powerful as money can buy, but for this city dweller, it’s all about striking the right balance of key parameters: performance, safety, design, range and price.

Few scooters strike that balance as well as the Levy electric scooter. It costs $499, a little more than entry-level options like the Xiaomi Mi M365, but far less than an e-bike or some high-end scooters. At that price, it checks off almost everything I want from a scooter — including the rare ability to swap in a fresh battery on the fly.

https://thenextweb.com/plugged/2020/04/23/review-the-levy-electric-scooter-packs-swappable-batteries-and-thoughtful-design-for-500/

Trevor Daugherty - Mar. 19th 2020 3:41 pm E

Getting around by car in any major city is a nightmare. With the Levy Plus electric scooter, you can safely zoom along at 18mph without creating any pollution. This powerful two-wheeler is currently $595 at 9to5Toys Specials with promo code SPRINGSAVE15. As a comparison, it holds pretty steady at $800 regularly, with today’s deal marking the best we’ve seen. We lauded its sleek design and ease of use in our hands-on review over at Electrek. Head below for additional details, including full specs and more.

Faster than walking, and much more fun than public transport, the Levy Plus was made for navigating city streets. Described as a “definite winner” by Electrek, this electric scooter is powered by a 36V 350W motor.

https://9to5toys.com/2020/03/19/levy-plus-scooter/

An interchangeable battery system extends range and improves rider confidence

Evan Malachosky Posted on 27 May 2020

NYC-based scooter producer Levy offers an entry-level model—the eponymous Levy Electric Scooter—that instills confidence in its riders and provides a sense of power matched with the right safety precautions, a waterproof rating of IP54 and a fire-proof battery casing included. These additions calm the concerns of those who deem scooters unsafe or toy-like and entice those looking to switch from commuting via car or public transportation.

https://coolhunting.com/tech/levys-innovative-entry-level-electric-scooter/

By Jed John Ikoba - Apr 3, 2020

Lenovo has carved a name for itself in the PC market where it is presently ranked among the top 2 manufacturers worldwide. The brand has also made some impact in the smartphone sector even though it is struggling in that aspect presently. Lenovo has equally dabbled into the manufacture of smart products such as smart band, smartwatches, hearable devices (earbuds, earphones), robot vacuum cleaners and several others. The Chinese tech giant has now revealed its intention to launch a smart electric scooter soon.

https://www.gizmochina.com/2020/04/03/lenovo-smart-electric-scooter-m2-launching-soon-design-features/

By Sean - Apr 29, 2020

Lenovo has recently launched a new electric scooter. The M2 is currently available for purchase, priced at 1,999 Yuan (roughly 282 US Dollars), and can run for up to 30 kilometers in a single full charge.

https://www.gizmochina.com/2020/04/29/lenovo-launches-the-m2-electric-scooter-runs-for-30km-and-priced-at-1999-yuan-282/

Zoom around in style.

Jul 17, 2020 - By Eric Brain

Tech company Xiaomi has teamed up with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 team for the release of a collaborative Mi Electric Scooter Pro 2.

The scooter is equipped with a 300W electric motor and has a range of up to 45km. At full throttle, the Mi will reach approximately 15 MPH, and can do this speed up an incline of 20 degrees with ease. Furthermore, Xiaomi says one charge of its electric scooter is enough to provide the rider with one week’s worth of journeys — assuming you make small trips around the city on your personal transportation device.

https://hypebeast.com/2020/7/mercedes-amg-petronas-f1-xiaomi-mi-electric-scooter-pro-2

Micah Toll - May. 14th 2020 3:57 am ET

Segway Ninebot announced the futuristic-looking Air T15 electric scooter earlier this year, demonstrating a number of innovative control and safety features. While the scooter had been set to launch internationally next week, pre-orders have just gone live early for the scooter’s domestic market.

The Segway Ninebot Air T15 electric scooter is more than just an update to the popular yet aging M365 electric scooter design. It’s an entirely different animal.

The Air T15 e-scooter uses a twin beam handlebar and stem design that looks reminiscent of a double crown fork on a bicycle. Between the twin beams is a panel that houses a long, vertical LED light strip to improve nighttime riding visibility. A connected smartphone app allows owners to personalize their lighting colors and even display multiple colors along the length of the LED strip.

https://electrek.co/2020/05/14/segway-ninebot-launches-t15-air-electric-scooter/

By Paul Ridden - May 21, 2020

Earlier this year, Segway-Ninebot revealed a bunch of electric mobility products, most notably the S-Pod armchair on wheels. A stylish electric kickscooter was also showcased, and now it has been launched on Kickstarter.

Segway-Ninebot says that its design team has been working on the Air T15 for almost 12,500 hours. It features an aluminum/magnesium alloy body for lightweight reliability, while also allowing for IPX4 weather and corrosion resistance , and has a retractable handlebar atop a steering column that can fold down to the deck with one click and the e-scooter rolled along between rides.

https://newatlas.com/urban-transport/segway-ninebot-air-t15-electric-kickscooter/

By Jed John Ikoba - May 1, 2020

Ninebot Segway, one of Xiaomi’s ecological chain companies, has launched the NineBot KickScooter ES2 for crowdfunding on Indiegogo. The crowdfunding exercise is for the White colour variant of the ES2, an upgraded of the NineBot ES1. The company had earlier launched a Black colour version but due to the yearnings of customers for a white version, it is introducing this model but exclusively for backers.

https://www.gizmochina.com/2020/05/01/ninebot-kickscooter-es2-folding-e-scooter-white-launched-on-indiegogo/

Micah Toll - Jun. 2nd 2020 2:08 am ET

Ninebot, the Chinese electric mobility company that purchased Segway, has just launched the Ninebot KickScooter Air T15. The electric scooter is the company’s latest design and features a number of futuristic-looking advancements.

https://electrek.co/2020/06/02/segway-ninebot-sales-futuristic-air-t15-electric-scooter/

Weight and balance overshadow power and speed

Rebecca Bellan - 4 April 2023

The Niu Technologies KQi3 Max has the kind of specs that should make it the ideal scooter for urban dwellers — especially those who live in hilly terrain. The 46.5-pound scooter has enough power to wisk riders through city streets at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour, handle steep hills and sharp turns all while managing a range of 40 miles.

And yet, the Niu Technologies KQi3 Max lacks some key features that its city-dwelling consumer base will want.

After a month of testing the KQi3 Max, I found the scooter had plenty of zip, power and battery range. But it missed the mark on sturdiness, safety and security features and weight — areas that one would expect to be covered for the $999 price. Niu has other versions of the KQi3 in its range, including the Sport ($699, top speed 17.4 mph) and the Pro ($799, top speed 19.9 mph).

https://techcrunch.com/2023/04/04/niu-kqi3-max-e-scooter/

The Obarter X7 electric scooter is one fast and furious beast on wheels, advertised by the manufacturer as a thrill-seeker’s dream. With its huge, 14” (35.5 cm) off-road tires, massive deck, and insane performance specs, this wheeler makes other scooters look like toys.

16 Aug 2022, 13:03 UTC - Cristina Mircea

If you’re into off-road adventures on two wheels, you’re in luck. Obarter’s new electric scooter is designed to handle the roughest terrains and it does it while being able to reach absurd speeds. It is also engineered to go the distance, claiming equally impressive ranges. The X7 super scooter falls in the same category as the military-grade Mosphera, or the DarkKnight Cyberfold, both able to hit speeds of up to 62 mph (100 kph). Obarter’s off-road monster doesn’t fall far behind.

I’ll start with the scooter’s rugged construction, with this two-wheeler tipping the scales at 176 lb (80 kg). As for its maximum payload capacity, it is 275.5 lb (125 kg).

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/fast-and-furious-obarter-x7-off-road-scooter-can-hit-56-mph-boasts-124-miles-of-range-196121.html

The company wants to target budget-conscious shoppers

By Andrew J. Hawkins - Jul 22, 2020, 9:00am EDT

Razor, the company that helped kick off the scooter craze nearly two decades ago, has just unveiled a new lineup of affordable electric scooters for adults. The California-based company is introducing three new models: the EcoSmart SUP, E300 HD, and the C25. Along with the recently released E Prime III, Razor is hoping to expand its footprint in the adult scooter space, while also retaining its title as a trustworthy and recognizable brand in an overly saturated market.

Sometimes it seems like there’s an arms race to release the fastest, most rugged, most powerful e-scooter on the planet. Each week, I get pitches on scooters that can hit top speeds of 30, 40, even 50 mph, with jumbo battery packs and dual motors to boot. But there’s a trade-off. Obviously, they can be very dangerous to ride. But it’s also the case that many of these high-powered two-wheelers retail for well over $1,000. That’s more than most people are probably willing to spend on an electric scooter.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/7/22/21328303/razor-electric-scooter-adult-price-specs

Simon Walsh - Aug. 8th 2020 10:21 am ET

Amazon is offering the Razor E-XR Electric Scooter for $449 shipped. That’s $100 off the typical rate there and beats the lowest price we have tracked by $45. This offering is Razor’s “most advanced personal electric scooter” with a design that’s boasts a “rugged and durable construction.” Its motor is brushless and propels riders at speeds of up to 17MPH for up to 60-minutes. A 220-pound weight capacity makes this great option for a wide variety of people. Rated 4.2/5 stars. Continue reading for yet another electric scooter deal.

We’ve also spotted the Segway Ninebot ES4 Electric Kick Scooter for $649.99 shipped at Amazon. This offer is $120 off what it typically fetches there and is within $33 of the lowest price we have tracked. Segway’s Ninebot ES4 is here to shake up your daily commute while also giving you some fresh air along the way. It zooms at up to 19MPH and can collapse to ensure it won’t take up much space once you’ve arrived at your next destination. Buyers will also find a built-in headlight that paves the way for nighttime rides as well. Rated 4+ stars from nearly 65% of Amazon shoppers.

https://9to5toys.com/2020/08/08/razor-e-xr-electric-scooter/

It's far from being Razor's first e-scooter, but it might be its prettiest.

Daniel Cooper - March 1st, 2022

If there’s one thing that really defined that murky period just after the turn of the millennium, it was the Razor Scooter craze. A thin-and-light scooter with impractically-small wheels, these vehicles were the ride of choice for tweens all over the US, at least before they got their own cars. Now, however, Razor is hoping to juice the nostalgia gland of all those kids by electrifying its original thin-and-light kick scooter. The Razor Icon is a scaled-up version of its original Model A, remade in the form of an e-scooter with the original-ish styling and detail.

The Icon is packing a 36V lithium-ion battery connected to a 350-watt motor that the company promises has a range of 18 miles, and a top speed of 18 miles per hour. Crafted with “aircraft grade aluminum” it’s designed to evoke those memories of kicking around your neighborhood or mall back when life was sweet. You’ll also find a LED headlamp and brake light to ensure you’re safe tootling around on those 8.5-inch airless tires.

https://www.engadget.com/razor-icon-e-scooter-2022-kickstarter-140053427.html

Two decades after the original, you can cruise the neighborhood on a scooter again but without straining your aging body.

Andrew Liszewski - 7 March 2022 9:57AM

If you were born in the ‘90s and spent your formative years in the early aughts, you probably zoomed around your neighborhood on the iconic Razor scooter. A couple of decades later, Razor is reviving its original scooter model so that grown-up ‘90s kids can feel like a kid again as they skip the bus on their way to work.

First launched back in 2000, the Razor A scooter was immediately a must-have and sold millions of units the first year it hit the market. Scooters were far from a new idea when the Razor A was introduced, but at the time skateboarding had been enjoying a boom in popularity (Tony Hawk famously landed his 900 at the X Games in 1999), and as cool as the sport had become, skateboarding still had a steep learning curve. The Razor A was much easier to learn to ride (you didn’t even have to know how to ride a bike), and in addition to durable wheels similar to what you’d find on inline skates, it also featured a clever folding design that made it highly portable. You could ride your Razor to the mall, and then stash it (albeit awkwardly) in a backpack.

https://gizmodo.com/razor-electric-scooter-razor-icon-kickstarter-price-lau-1848586243

Razor’s electric scooter is a standout pick for short, 18 MPH sprints.

Autumn Noel Kelly - 12 May 2022 10:00AM

On April Fools’ Day, 2022, we published an article about Segway’s new 43 MPH scooter, which despite everything odd about that pairing was not an April Fools’ joke. The first comment on our Instagram page was, “I was just thinking of what I might like without teeth.” That’s exactly why I’ve steered clear of any open-air electric transportation device, and why my family and I ride Razor’s lightweight, kid-friendly, colorful kick scooters everywhere–half a mile to school, 2 miles to art class, and even 5 miles to our favorite ice cream spot.

https://gizmodo.com/razor-e-prime-iii-best-safe-electric-scooter-adults-nos-1848911475

Boing Boing's Shop 1:00 pm Thu Jan 21, 2021

Admit it…you've always wanted a Segway. Zipping up and down sidewalks and walkways. The easy, effortless spins, and the chance to experience the perfect combination of feeling like you're both walking and driving at the same time.

But, for all their coolness, full-sized Segways weren't always practical to own if you weren't Paul Blart.

Of course, the Segway ES2 Ninebot KickScooter might change your mind on that, packing in all the innovation and ease of use of a Segway into a personal vehicle as trim as a scooter for a brilliant answer to short-hop transportation needs.

Made from high-strength, lightweight aerospace-grade aluminum alloy, the Segway ES2 works on the same easy-to-learn, safe-to-ride principle as the bigger Segway. Within a few minutes of adjusting to the balance, this Amazon's Choice honoree is like riding a scooter that you never have to push.

https://boingboing.net/2021/01/21/the-es2-is-both-a-segway-and-a-scooter-and-handy-and-a-lot-of-fun.html

Micah Toll - Mar. 2nd 2022 7:36 am PT

The Segway GT2 electric scooter pushes the brand into high-performance territory with a fast and powerful standing electric scooter.

While most standing electric scooters that we typically see on streets around the US and Europe roll on small 8-inch wheels and feature diminutive 350W motors, the Segway GT2 ups the ante in just about every way.

Its 11-inch wheels hide away a pair of motors totaling up to 3,000W. If that’s too much power for you, an accompanying smartphone app can be used to dial the power back a bit while you’re learning to tame the beast.

The pair of powerful motors help the Segway GT2 blast its way up to a top speed of 70 km/h (43.5 mph).

https://electrek.co/2022/03/02/segway-just-released-a-massively-powerful-standing-electric-scooter-approaching-45-mph/

The Segway GT2 promises a top speed of 43.5 MPH and can go from 0 to 30 in just 3.9 seconds.

Andrew Liszewski - 1 April 2022 12:15PM

Once a brand tied to self-balancing scooters that never really delivered a promised transportation revolution, Segway now represents a broader range of personal mobility devices including scooters that will soon be an even more terrifying way to zip through traffic with a new GT line boasting top speeds of over 43 MPH.

Following a collection of new electric kick scooters revealed last month that offer an alternative to a car for shorter daily commutes, Segway is targeting thrill seekers with its latest release: the SuperScooter GT Series that will come in two versions differentiated by power and speed.

https://gizmodo.com/segways-new-gt-series-scooters-are-terrifyingly-fast-1848737641

The whole experience was very weird, to say the least.

Molly Taft - 18 October 2022 1:35PM

Finish this joke: A climate reporter rides a scooter branded with the logo of a major international oil company for a weekend. What could possibly go wrong?

That was the question I set out to answer when a representative for Shell’s consumer products reached out to Gizmodo to ask if we wanted to test out the company’s electric scooter model. Despite all the very mean things I’ve written about Shell in the past, the company sent me its first electric scooter model, the SR-5S, which launched last year.

https://gizmodo.com/shell-oil-e-scooter-lotus-international-sr-5s-review-1849657528

Remote operators will help repark the vehicles so they're not a nuisance.

Igor Bonifacic - 27 January 2021

If you live in a city where e-scooter companies are allowed to operate, there’s a good chance you’ve stumbled upon a lone scooter far from its counterparts. These can be an annoyance, especially if they’re clogging up a busy sidewalk. Spin wants to address that problem. The Ford-owned subsidiary is working with a company called Tortoise to deploy a feature called Spin Valet to its next-generation of e-scooters that will allow them to remotely move between locations.

While there’s a machine learning component to Spin’s Valet technology, they’ll be remote operators reparking the scooters with the help of front- and rear-facing cameras. That should hopefully help the company avoid some of the fails Tesla has run into with its Smart Summon feature. Spin Valet will eventually allow you to call an S-200 to your location, either in advance of a trip or as you’re looking for a ride. So say your daily commute involves a 15-minute walk from a metro station to your office, you’ll be able to use the feature to set a scheduled pickup. At some point, Spin also plans to use the technology to automatically move its scooters to a nearby charging hub.

https://www.engadget.com/spin-valet-s-200-test-boise-idaho-140048621.html

Kirsten Korosec / 10:18 AM PST•January 27, 2021

Spin, the micromobility startup acquired by Ford, has developed a new scooter with partners Segway-Ninebot and software startup Tortoise that aims to solve the sidewalk clutter problem for good.

The Spin S-200 scooter not only has three wheels — a design change that helps it stand out in a crowded pool of two-wheelers — it’s also equipped with repositioning software that allows remote operators thousands of miles away to move vehicles off the sidewalk and into a proper parking spot. A fleet of about 300 Spin S-200 scooters will be tested in Boise, Idaho this spring. But the goal is much grander. Spin ultimately wants to roll out remotely operated scooters to cities in North America and Europe in 2021.

https://techcrunch.com/2021/01/27/spin-bets-its-scooter-future-on-3-wheels-and-remote-control-tech/

Swappable batteries mean it doesn't need to go back to HQ every night.

Daniel Cooper - June 23rd, 2021

Spin believes that the current crop of scooters are too lily-livered to survive the tough streets of the US. To remedy this, the Ford-owned company is launching the new Spin S-100T, adding that the T stands for “tough.” The new model has been designed with reliability and durability in mind, and was designed and built by the company’s in-house team.

Spin CTO Benny Wong said that the S-100T has been put through extreme durability tests, including extremes of heat and cold. In order to deal with the sort of corrosion that takes place in costal areas, the scooter was tested in salt water fog to “guarantee performance in extremely humid and corrosive conditions.”

https://www.engadget.com/spin-s100t-durable-e-scooter-sacramento-070020380.html?src=rss_b2c

Tired of using your knees as shocks? Splach feels your pain, and wants to alleviate it.

Craig Wilson - 9.24.2020 12:25 AM

E-scooters have the potential to upend last-mile commuting, but to do so, they need to achieve mass-market adoption. One of the challenges they face is the comfort of the ride they offer, especially on uneven surfaces like, say, New York streets. Splach (like e-skateboard maker Hunter) believes the solution lies in suspension. Not of disbelief, but actual suspension. The springy, bouncy sort you'd find in a motocross bike… or a pogo stick.

The California-based company launched a crowd-funding campaign for its suspension-packing e-scooter back in May 2020, and blasted past its fundraising target with ease. To date, Splach has raised over $600,000, and that number continues to climb. With the first shipments due to go out next month, there's still a little time to get in on this spring-loaded bandwagon before the full-scale pricing kicks in.

https://www.inputmag.com/design/splach-wants-to-suspend-your-e-scooter-your-disbelief/amp

Napier Lopez - Published October 21, 2020 — 19:44 UTC

One of the biggest reasons I tend to gravitate towards my ebikes rather than electric scooters is safety: I feel much more comfortable with big ol’ wheels than with the tiny wheels on most electric scooters on pothole-strewn city streets.

Now a scooter startup called Taur, which launched its first product on Kickstarter this week, thinks it can make a safer, more stable scooter ride, in a package that otherwise looks pretty sleek too.

https://thenextweb.com/plugged/2020/10/21/the-taur-electric-scooter-prioritizes-safety-with-giant-tires-and-a-forward-riding-position/

By Paul Ridden - October 21, 2020

Folks wanting to leave the car at home may look to electric kickscooters for last mile transport from the public transit hub to work and back, but they're perhaps best suited to smooth pavement and can have the rider standing awkwardly. The Taur scooter is built for the road.

“The benefits of e-scooters are incredible, but they’ve always been designed for smooth ground at low speed,” said company co-founder and lead designer, Carson Brown. “Think about it. Bikes? You face forward. Cars? You face forward. It’s the safest way to scope the road. The number of ride advantages and features you unlock with a folding foot platform design is insane, and you don’t have to sacrifice portability to get them.”

https://newatlas.com/urban-transport/taur-electric-road-scooter/

Rebecca Bellan - 10:30 AM PST March 2, 2022

Tier Mobility, the Berlin-based micromobility operator that has been steadily taking over Europe, is making a sweeping entry into North America by acquiring Spin from automaker Ford. Tier will acquire all of Spin’s 50,000 e-scooters and e-bikes, bringing the German company’s total fleet to 300,000.

The companies would not disclose the terms of the deal, but last October, Tier raised $200 million, much of which the startup said would be used for strategic investments and acquisitions. Ford, which purchased Spin for $100 million back in 2018, will maintain a strategic investment in Spin, according to Spin CEO Ben Bear.

The news comes a few months after Tier purchased e-scooter company Wind Mobility’s Italian subsidiary, marking Tier’s entry into the Italian market, as well as its purchase of bike-share startup Nextbike, signaling Tier’s move into the multi-modal space. The Spin buy will give Tier a global footprint of more than 520 cities and communities in 21 countries, making it the largest shared operator in the world. Competitors Bird and Lime claim a footprint of 350 and 200 cities globally, respectively, although they use different metrics on their scorecards.

https://techcrunch.com/2022/03/02/tier-mobility-acquires-spin-from-ford-marking-entry-into-north-america/

Ste Knight - August 5, 2020, 9:00am EDT

When the second the Turboant X7 electric scooter was offered up for review, I jumped at the chance. This not-quite-pocket rocket is currently retailing at $449.99 and, if you ask me, is worth every cent. Why? Because the money you’ll save on city travel with this little beast is going to pay for the Turboant X7 many times over.

So, what makes it such a great little travel buddy? Well, it is economical and environmentally friendly, and it is great fun to ride. That’s what. But I’m sure you’ll want all the gory details about the X7. Fortunately, I’ve tested it for you! Here’s what I found out about this little city slicker.

https://www.reviewgeek.com/49236/the-turboant-x7-electric-scooter-is-an-awesome-city-ride/

Excellent for beginners, the X7 Pro is easy to set up and start riding, making trips to work or running errands a significantly more eco-friendly task

Ste Knight - 15 December 2021

Ease of use coupled with the cost-effectiveness can make an eScooter the perfect companion for travelling to work or running small errands. It is for this reason that we're seeing eScooters around us more and more.

The TurboAnt X7 Pro retails at $549.98 at the time of writing, and represents an excellent option if you want to get around without using public transport or jumping in the car. How does it fare against its rivals in this competitive, emerging market? Let's take a closer look at this nifty ride.

https://www.makeuseof.com/turboant-x7-pro-escooter-review/

The TurboAnt V8 is a great choice if you prioritize comfort, durability, and range, but it falls short with its portability and acceleration.

Paul Antill - 9 March 2023

The TurboAnt V8 electric scooter is the successor to the X7 Pro which introduces a second hot-swappable battery for convenient charging, and a larger, more powerful 450W motor, which promises better acceleration and more reliable performance. It might not be the quickest, nor is it the most portable escooter, but it's one of the best value options in 2023, thanks to its incredible range, comfort, and build quality.

https://www.makeuseof.com/turboant-v8-escooter-review/

Customize your scooter with almost any combination of colors or patterns you can imagine

By Andrew J. Hawkins - Jan 7, 2020, 10:00am EST

Electric scooter company Unagi has a powerful new model to show off. The California-based startup has upgraded its flagship scooter with dual motors, enabling better torque and higher speed without sacrificing portability. And for the first time, customers can choose to customize their scooter with almost any combination of colors or patterns they can imagine.

Unagi’s new E500 Dual Motor Scooter has two 250W motors, one in the front and one in the back, for a total of (you guessed it) 500W. The company’s first scooter came in two motor types, 250W and 450W, and was able to hit a top speed of 15.5 mph. This new configuration now delivers a top speed of 19 mph, with 32 newton meters of torque, enabling a rider of up to 200 pounds to cruise up steep hills with ease.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/1/7/21054731/unagi-electric-scooter-dual-motor-color-paint-job-customize

A higher-end Model Eleven has an ADAS collision-detection sensor.

Kris Holt - September 23rd, 2021

Unagi Scooters has revealed what it claims is the first smart scooter around in the Model Eleven. It includes a bunch of intriguing features, such as audible directions, remote kill and an advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) sensor.

You can play your own music or podcasts using the built-in Bluetooth speaker and hear turn-by-turn directions to help you get where you're going. Unagi teamed up with Google to bring the navigation feature to its iOS and Android app. After you've selected your destination and put your phone away, you'll hear direction prompts through the audio system and see directional signals on the display.

https://www.engadget.com/unagi-model-eleven-smart-scooter-adas-turn-by-turn-directions-gps-tracking-163008213.html

Kris Holt - 11:04 AM PDT•September 23, 2021

Unagi Scooters has revealed what it claims is the first smart scooter around in the Model Eleven. It includes a bunch of intriguing features, such as audible directions, remote kill and an advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) sensor.

You can play your own music or podcasts using the built-in Bluetooth speaker and hear turn-by-turn directions to help you get where you’re going. Unagiteamed up with Google to bring the navigation feature to its iOS and Android app. After you’ve selected your destination and put your phone away, you’ll hear direction prompts through the audio system and see directional signals on the display.

https://techcrunch.com/2021/09/23/unagis-2440-smart-scooter-includes-turn-by-turn-directions-and-gps-tracking/

It includes more features than some cars do, and finally introduces a swappable battery.

Andrew Liszewski - 23 September 2021 12:30PM

Depending where you live, an electric scooter can be an easier and cheaper way to get around than a car. Unagi’s next-generation e-scooter makes a strong case for buying your own instead of picking a rental literally up off the sidewalk. The new Unagi sports upgrades like a speaker for turn-by-turn Google Maps directions and a smart sensor that scans for impending dangers and warns the rider through audible alerts.

Three years ago we reviewed the original Unagi and were not only impressed by its performance and range, but its looks too. With no visible wires and a very clean design, it looked like a scooter for adults hoping to dodge the responsibilities of a car. But it wasn’t perfect. Its single piece deck (where the rider stands) featured a design that prevented the battery from being replaced, which limited the life of the scooter because its power source would inevitably lose its ability to hold a charge over the years. The Unagi Model One also used airless tires which would never go flat and never needed replacing, but they weren’t the most forgiving, and you’d definitely feel the bumps while out for a ride.

https://gizmodo.com/unagis-new-electric-scooter-includes-the-same-collision-1847725431

Haje Jan Kamps - 2:34 PM PDT September 15, 2022

Unagi is perhaps best known for its Model One and its (now cancelled) Model Eleven scooter. Today, the company announced it has a new micromobility transportation tool in the works, the Voyager. It packs significantly more range, power, acceleration and smart mobile app features while keeping the lightweight and portable design of its predecessor. The company is embracing a subscription model to keep prices reasonable.

https://techcrunch.com/2022/09/15/unagi-voyager/

Haje Jan Kamps - 2:35 PM PDT September 15, 2022

Although 345 backers dug into their pockets to the tune of more than $700,000, the scooter they backed — the Model Eleven — will never see the light of day. The company is offering its backers three options to make up for it, including a full refund, or a different model electric scooter.

Hardware can be excruciatingly hard — I should know, I ran a $500,000 Kickstarter project I very publically failed to deliver on — and crowdfunding projects have a shadow side: Manufacturing and business models never match up with the models you build at the beginning of a product development cycle. In the case of Unagi, the company’s CEO David Hyman told me it discovered that its subscription model works far better than its planned “build ’em then sell ’em” model.

https://techcrunch.com/2022/09/15/unagi-indiegogo/

The Model One Voyager refines the template laid down by the Model One.

Daniel Cooper - May 2, 2023 9:45 AM

E-scooter company Unagi, founded by former Beats Music CEO David Hyman, has inserted itself into a corner of pop culture. Its stylish scooters are often found in the hands of celebrities and musicians, setting themselves apart from the generic rental models found on street corners. Now, the company has unveiled the Model One Voyager, a second-generation version of its existing Model One, which the company will either sell to you outright, or rent to you for $55 a month. Given the plaudits afforded to that device, it should come as no surprise that the Voyager opts not to fix what wasn’t broken, but focuses on addressing its predecessor’s (relatively few) flaws.

Long-time Unagi followers may recall the company had been working on the Model Eleven, a wildly ultra-premium scooter to top off its lineup. Priced at $2,440, the Eleven would have offered GPS tracking, turn-by-turn directions and an ADAS collision sensor. Unagi killed the product, saying that the market was turning away from pricey, one-off purchases toward a service model. The majority of its customers presently pay $55 a month to rent a Model One, with the company taking care of the maintenance and insurance. And that switch in focus is likely to produce more models that look to evolve the existing concept, rather than offering something more dramatic.

https://www.engadget.com/unagi-took-one-of-the-best-e-scooters-on-the-market-and-made-it-better-134510138.html

Varla Pegasus review: Flying at 28 mph on a full-suspension electric scooter

Micah Toll - Jan. 27th 2022 4:50 am PT

The Varla Pegasus is one of those rare electric scooters that strikes a nice balance between higher-than-average performance and a reasonable price tag. And having spent a couple weeks so far putting the scooter to the test, I can confirm that it has the right combination of performance and value to fit a wide range of riders.

When I look at the electric scooter market lately, it seems like most of the entries fall on one end of the spectrum or the other.

Either it’s a slowpoke city scooter or a death-defying hotrod that flirts with highway speeds.

https://electrek.co/2022/01/27/varla-pegasus-review-flying-at-28-mph-on-a-full-suspension-electric-scooter/

Micah Toll - Aug. 13th 2020 8:46 am ET

The EMove Cruiser from Voro Motors is a beast of an electric scooter, offering full-suspension and a powerful 1.6 kW peak-rated motor. But its biggest draw might be its giant 52 V and 30 Ah battery, rated for 1.6 kWh of capacity and an unbelievable 100 km (62 miles) of range.

In fact, that range is so unbelievable that I decided to call the company’s bluff. I set out on a full battery range test to determine the true real-world range of the scooter.

https://electrek.co/2020/08/13/emove-cruiser-electric-scooter-100-km-62-mi-range-electric-scooter-range-test/

Micah Toll - Jul. 10th 2020 8:42 am ET

Fast electric scooters like the 5,400W Wolf Warrior from FluidFreeRide are serious machines made for serious fun. These are purpose-designed scooters that are built like a tank with the proper suspension, brakes, and other components to (relatively) safely get that power to the ground and still bring you home for dinner.

These high power electric scooters certainly aren’t toys though. Any electric scooter can be dangerous, but these types of ultra-powerful and super fast e-scooters bump the risk up a couple of notches, at least.

https://electrek.co/2020/07/10/5400-w-e-scooter-review-50-mph-wolf-warrior/

Micah Toll - Feb. 15th 2021 6:58 am ET

The Wolf King electric scooter from Voro Motors was recently announced, becoming one of the most high-power dual-sport electric scooters available in the US.

The Wolf King is an update to the Wolf Warrior electric scooter that we’ve previously reviewed.

The Wolf Warrior has long been known for its high-power design and high ground clearance.

Now the Wolf King electric is kicking things up several notches.

Powered by a pair of Voro Motors’ own 1,500W VM motors, the Wolf King is an all-wheel-drive 3,000W electric scooter. Voro Motors claims the scooter can ride up a 100% grade, equivalent to a 45-degree hill.

https://electrek.co/2021/02/15/this-standing-electric-scooter-goes-0-50-mph-in-4-8-seconds-and-thats-not-even-its-top-speed/

Efe Udin April 21, 2020

Chinese manufacturing giant, Xiaomi, is a household name in the smartphone industry. However, you may as well know that Xiaomi does much more than just smartphones. The company has a plethora of products ranging from household items to sports equipment. Today, the company officially announced its latest electric scooter which is an upgrade of the previous generation. This scooter called the Xiaomi electric scooter 1S comes with a 30km battery life.

https://www.gizchina.com/2020/04/21/xiaomi-electric-scooter-1s-with-30-km-battery-life-released/

Efe Udin - May 6, 2020

A few weeks ago, Chinese manufacturing giant, Xiaomi, officially released its latest electric scooter. The Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter 1S comes with a 30km range and a maximum speed of 25km / h. Furthermore, it also uses a visual interactive dashboard and a double brake system. This scooter is now officially on reservation and potential buyers can register.

https://www.gizchina.com/2020/05/06/xiaomi-mi-electric-scooter-1s-now-available-for-purchase/

Argam Artashyan - March 17, 202

When the first Xiaomi electric scooter was out, many wondered how this brand could succeed in a niche that it had nothing in common. In fact, the first electric scooter of the company and its successors became best-sellers. Many were thinking the key to success is hidden in Xiaomi’s philosophy of making good products for all. However, only a few people know that Xiaomi has been investing in a company specializing in electric scooters and products in this segment. We are talking about Ninebot (Segway, No. 9, call it however you want). Today, the latter announced that the Ninebot electric scooter F25 will come in three days. This product is going to become another hot-seller.

https://www.gizchina.com/2021/03/17/xiaomi-to-launch-improved-ninebot-electric-scooter-f25-in-three-days/

Electric scooter giant Yadea remains largest two-wheel EV brand with 104% export volume surge

Peter Johnson - Sep. 1st 2022 10:10 am PT

Yadea, the world’s largest electric scooter maker, keeps the ball rolling in the first half of 2022 as export volumes surge 104%. Rising global demand for two-wheel EVs is driving Yadea’s overseas expansion.

You’re missing out if you’ve never ridden on an electric scooter. It’s one of the easiest, most environmentally friendly ways to travel, and it’s way more fun with an electric motor.

The global electric scooter has taken off in the past few years as more options hit the market and new incentives to reduce emissions are introduced. A recent study shows that the e-scooter market is anticipated to double from $20.87 billion last year to over $50 billion by the end of 2030, and Yadea is taking advantage of the new trend with a wide range of two-wheel EV options like electric scooters and e-bikes that make urban travel more efficient and way more exciting.

The EV scooter maker introduced standing electric scooters in 2021 with the Yadea KS5 and KS5 Pro. Both models are lightweight and easy to maneuver around busy city streets, a feature you don’t think of until you own one.

https://electrek.co/2022/09/01/electric-scooter-giant-yadea-remains-largest-two-wheel-ev-brand/

If you're thinking of riding one of those things, wear a helmet

By Katyanna Quach 8 Jan 2020 at 21:39

There were nearly 40,000 electric scooter injuries in the United States between 2014 and 2018, according to a study published in the journal JAMA Surgery on Wednesday.

https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/01/08/electric_scooter_injuries/

A lack of oversight may be partly to blame.

Jon Fingas, 8 January 2020

It probably won't shock you to hear that the rise of e-scooters and their matching services has led to more injuries, but researchers now have some more tangible proof. A UCSF study indicates that electric scooter-related injuries in the US jumped 222 percent between 2014 and 2018, with over 39,000 people hurting themselves. There were 'only' about 3,300 hospital admissions, but that's an increase of a staggering 365 percent. Most first-time injuries came to the 18-to-34 crowd. And yes, the lack of helmets was a problem – almost a third of injuries involved some kind of head trauma.

https://www.engadget.com/2020/01/08/study-says-scooter-injuries-quadrupled/

Sarah Buhr / 10:27 am PST • January 13, 2020

Taking a ride on an electronic scooter soon? Wear your helmet! According to a recent study published in JAMA Surgery, not wearing headgear or taking other precautions while riding is increasingly sending young people to the hospital — leading to over 40,000 broken bones, head wounds and other injuries.

https://techcrunch.com/2020/01/13/wear-your-helmet-concludes-new-study-showing-electronic-scooter-injuries-have-nearly-tripled-in-the-last-four-years/

A civil engineer looks at traffic data to improve road safety

Annie YJ Chang - Jan 27 2020

E-scooters continue to intrigue us. They’re new and unfamiliar, and they’re also everywhere. Perhaps this explains the sensationalized media coverage on e-scooters, much of which is driven by anecdotes of accidents. But an army of researchers has been itching to unveil empirical evidence to augment the e-scooter dialogue.

https://onezero.medium.com/demystifying-e-scooter-safety-one-step-at-a-time-956afcf12d75

The man installed not one but two AirTags on the scooter

Aug 16, 2021 12:02 GMT - Bogdan Popa

Apple’s AirTags come in handy in a wide variety of scenarios, and while they’re not necessarily supposed to be used this way, they can even come in handy when trying to track stolen goods.

Trail of Bits CEO Dan Guido has recently demonstrated how everything works, as he managed to track down and recover his stolen scooter after receiving information from the AirTags that were previously installed on the scooter.

“My scooter was stolen last week. Unknown to the thief, I hid two Airtags inside it. I was able to use the Apple Find My network and UWB direction finding to recover the scooter today,” Guido explained in a series of tweets published a few days ago.

“I hid two Airtags inside the scooter: one “decoy” in the wheel well and a second, more subtle, one inside the stem. Covered in black duct tape, they’re hard to see.”

https://news.softpedia.com/news/airtags-help-company-ceo-find-stolen-scooter-533780.shtml