Scooters are considered one of the most effective ways to navigate busy streets with minimum fuss. They owe this trait to their versatility and agility. Whether it’s going to your local store for supplies or exploring the outdoors, riding an electric scooter can be a great way to travel.
While they’re easy to ride in the summer, riding an electric scooter during winter requires far more caution. It’s important to know what type of scooter performs best in the winter, along with tips to keep you safe.
In this article, we’ll explore the technicalities of riding an electric scooter through snow and ice. Let’s get into it!
Best Scooter for Winter
Not all scooters are suitable for icy weather conditions. Before you buy a scooter for the winter season, check that it has the following features:
Water Resistance
Not all scooters have high IP ratings. This rating determines the resistance of various scooter parts to water ingress.
Water can damage your scooter, and this issue is more pertinent in winter due to wet ground. Ice and snow are also potential hazards during the winter season.
Therefore, consider buying scooters with IP ratings of IPX6 and up. Although, you’ll still get a decent amount of water protection with an IPX rating of 4 or 5.
Tires
Tires are by far the most crucial factor to consider before riding your scooter during winter. After all, it’s the only scooter component in direct contact with the road.
Make sure your scooter has pneumatic tires. They have a better grip and offer a smoother ride. You can also adjust how much tire surface area is in contact with the road by inflating or deflating your tire. We recommend deflating your tire a little before going out for a ride during icy conditions.
Also, check the tread pattern on your tire to ensure it’s suitable for winter. It’s advisable to fit your scooter with off-road tires before taking it out.
They have deeper grooves and will clear water easily from beneath the tire, reducing hydroplaning. The deeper grooves also increase grip, reducing the chances of sliding around on icy roads.
Dual Motors
Having motors at the front and back of a scooter can be a huge benefit. First of all, it offers better weight distribution. With higher weight distribution comes increased stability and traction.
High stability and traction are perfect for fast acceleration and control on slippery surfaces. It also improves handling, especially when going up and down hills with an electric scooter.
Braking
Another vital component to consider while riding an electric scooter during winter are your brakes. Since it’s more difficult to slow and stop on icy roads, your brakes end up being harder to operate.
It’s best to fit your scooter with disc brakes as they give strong braking power in both wet and dry conditions. Disk brakes are also lightweight and easy to maintain.
An additional feature to look out for is an anti-lock braking system (ABS). This braking system increases stopping power, especially on ice. It also prevents wheel lock-up keeping you from sliding out of control on slippery surfaces.
High-Quality Battery
Battery quality determines how far you can travel before you have to recharge. With that in mind, consider buying scooters with Lithium-ion batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries are light and of high density. Despite having a small size, they can hold a lot of power. They’re also easy to maintain and have a relatively low self-discharge.
Lithium-ion batteries are more resistant to the cold and will perform optimally in all conditions, thanks to their minimal need for maintenance.
Related Article: Choosing the Best Electric Scooter for Food Delivery
Winter Riding Tips: How to Ride Safely During Winter
Riding safely on Canadian roads during winter isn’t just about your scooter’s specs. The way you ride will determine your safety on icy, snowy roads.
Below are must-know tips for riding safely during winter:
Slow Down and Steer Carefully
It’s obvious that the faster you go, the harder it is to come to a stop. The faster you go, the harder it is to control the scooter if you lose control.
When riding your scooter during winter, avoid agile maneuvers and sudden movements that may lead to you losing control. Sudden movements reduce traction and make steering more dramatic.
Pay Close Attention
Riding an electric scooter during winter requires complete awareness of your surroundings. Be sure to look out for oncoming traffic. Other vehicles might lose control — which is very easy considering the conditions — and veer towards you.
You should prepare to act fast and decisively under any circumstance. You should also keep your eyes on the road to watch out for slippery ice that can make you lose control.
Prepare a Route Beforehand
After a heavy snowfall, most roads are challenging to drive on, even for four-wheel drives. That’s why it’s vital to get information about road conditions before you start driving.
Doing so helps reduce time wastage and reduces your chances of getting stranded due to bad conditions. You may also find that certain roads or pathways have been gritted and others haven’t.
Deflate Your Tires
Deflating your tires during winter increases your scooter’s performance. With less air, the wheels have a larger contact patch and will provide more grip.
Deflating your tires also makes your ride a smoother experience. A fully inflated tire provides a bumpier ride, considering it won’t absorb impact like a softer tire. Conversely, a slightly deflated tire will absorb bumps created by uneven snow on the road.
While we recommend deflating your tire, it’s important not to overdo it. An overly deflated tire has higher rolling resistance and will increase your scooter’s battery consumption rates.
Tighten the Brakes
Braking distance increases by 20% during the winter season. To account for this change in conditions, we recommend tightening your brakes slightly. This minor adjustment compensates for the slight increase in stopping distance, making your ride a lot safer.
You should also inspect your brakes and check that they’re in top condition. You want them to perform at their best exactly when you need them.
Battery Care
Scooter batteries don’t thrive in cold conditions. Cold temperatures generally slow down chemical reactions, making the battery sluggish. Consequently, there’ll be a corresponding reduction in your scooter’s maximum travel range.
The last thing anybody wants is to be stranded in the cold. Charge your battery frequently, and be sure it never completely drains.
You should also avoid charging the battery immediately after riding in the cold. Bring in the scooter first and let the battery warm up on its own for a while.
Finally, don’t store your electric scooter outside or in a cold garage during winter. Bring it into your home, so the battery doesn’t get too cold.
Cleaning Your Scooter
Under normal conditions, you can be less regular with your cleaning efforts. But it’s best to clean your scooter quickly during the winter season. Otherwise, you risk debris damaging your scooter’s components.
Similarly, it’s not a good idea for moisture to remain on your electric scooter for too long. Water adds to wear and tear, reducing the effective lifespan of your bike.
Must-Have Scooter Equipment for the Winter Season
The tips above will help you ride an electric bike safely during winter. But, you can go one step further by ensuring you have the required equipment.
Safety Gear
Your scooter attire isn’t complete without a helmet, elbow, and knee pads. This safety gear is important for any time of year, but it’s even more important when riding a scooter during the winter season. If you’ll be travelling near roads, then it’s a good idea to use a full-face helmet for maximum protection.
Dressing
Ensure you dress appropriately for the weather. Wear layered clothing to keep yourself warm.
Gloves are also quite important. Cold fingers are not only painful but can make it harder to steer and brake.
It’s best to wear reflective clothing while riding a scooter during the winter season. Even if you’re not travelling on roads, you want to be as visible as possible.
Lights
If your electric scooter doesn’t already have lights, install them. The ideal lights are bright enough to get the attention of oncoming traffic and pedestrians while illuminating the ground in front of you.
Fenders
Install fenders on your electric scooter in preparation for the winter season. Fenders prevent the tires from spraying mud and snow on your clothes.
Related Article: E-Bike & E-Scooter Regulations Saskatchewan
Final Thoughts
Whether it’s driving a car, going for a walk, or riding a bike, everything requires extra consideration during the winter. There is plenty to consider with a scooter, and it starts with making sure it’s suitable for icy conditions.
After that, you want to ensure you’re steering safely while also using the correct equipment. Once you’ve ticked all of these boxes, you can head out there with confidence.
Here at Epic Cycles, our online store is home to electric scooters that meet winter season requirements. Look through our collection today!
