As a parent, one of your greatest joys is to do everything in your power to make sure your kids are safe and cared for. So when you're thinking of buying them an electric scooter, your first instinct might be to do tons of research to make sure you're getting something that's safe.
Electric scooters are the latest craze to sweep the nation. Kids of all ages are riding these things everywhere from lit parks to grocery store parking lots. Whether you just want to get out there and cruise around or have a kid who absolutely needs one for their birthday, it's important for any parent to know about electric scooters’ safety before purchasing it.
So we know your question is: Are electric scooters safe for 6-12 years old kids? Well, we've got the answer for you:YES, electric scooters are safe for kids. In fact, they can be one of the safest ways for your child to get around town. Here's why:
First off, electric scooters are designed to be used by children as young as six years old. Kids that age can handle their own weight and speeds on an electric scooter without any problem whatsoever. They're also small enough that they can fit easily through doorways and narrow spaces, which means that even if your child takes a tumble off their scooter (which is extremely unlikely), they won't have far to fall before they hit ground level again.
In addition to being lightweight and small-sized, many electric scooters also feature a handbrake or footbrake that allows your kid to stop on a dime when needed. This helps keep them safe even if they do come off of their scooter at high speeds—and it also helps prevent accidents from happening in the first place!
Finally (and perhaps most importantly), electric scooters provide children with an opportunity to explore their surroundings without having to rely on other people or modes of transport such as cars or buses. So if your child wants to explore new places while still staying safe, electric scooters are a great option!
Electric scooters are not only safe, but they can also be a great tool for teaching kids about the dangers of the road. Electric scooters have been around for decades now, and the technology has come a long way since then. Newer models are made with safety features like lights that turn on automatically when it gets dark outside or when you're riding in a tunnel or underpass (which can help keep drivers from hitting you from behind). They also have bigger wheels than regular scooters so they're less likely to tip over on uneven terrain like gravel or grassy areas where there's no pavement to ride on.
We hope this article has equipped you with the information you were looking for, and now that you know that electric scooters aren't actually dangerous for kids, will let you make an informed decision about what is best for your family. We got a lot of electric scooters available for your kids so that they can enjoy their childhood to the fullest. Check them out on these kids electric scooters now!
Shared or personal use electric scooters (e-scooters) are common in cities and on college campuses across the United States. Much like bike shares, you can find them on the street, unlock them with a smartphone app and leave them at your destination. But there is a cost to convenience: e-scooter-related emergency room visits have spiked.
With the holiday gift-giving season upon us, it is important to be aware of dangers and regulations surrounding e-scooters and how to keep kids safe as riders or pedestrians.
If you fall off an e-scooter, which can travel up to 15 and 20 miles per hour, you are going to get hurt. Period.
The most common injuries are cuts, fractures and head injuries. Some of these injuries are severe. Many of these injuries are caused by incidents with motor vehicles or user-control issues of the e-scooter.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under 16 ? who are too young to have a driver’s license ? should not operate or ride on motorized or e-scooters.
If e-scooters haven’t reached your sidewalks yet, there are three types of scooters. Non-motorized human-powered scooters operate without a motor. The motorized scooter is a two-wheeled vehicle with a rechargeable battery. An e-scooter is a dockless two-wheeled vehicle s available for rent in various cities.
All scooters pose a similar ? if not increased ? risk of head injury compared with bikes. Helmets are the best way to prevent serious head injuries, but usage remains low. Consider:
A 2017 survey found that parents were less likely to make their child or adolescent wear a helmet while riding a scooter when compared to riding a bike. Only 57% of parents said they would make their child or adolescent wear a helmet while riding a scooter.
When signing up on the apps to rent e-scooters, riders are asked to wear helmets; yet helmets are not provided.
Images on social media often make it seem like it’s OK to ride a scooter without a helmet. Always make sure to wear a helmet when using an e-scooter, even if advertisements do not show riders wearing them. Parents should also wear helmets to model this positive behavior to children.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a study showing that there are about 14 injuries per 100,000 trips on motorized scooters. Some of these injuries were severe.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission in 2021, there were an estimated 42,200 emergency room visits due to e-scooter injuries. This number shows a 66% increase from 2020.
E-scooters were responsible for 68 deaths from 2017 through 2021.
E-scooter injuries in children are increasing, which is likely due to the rising popularity of e-scooter sharing apps. It is important that parents are aware of the dangers and regulations surrounding e-scooters.
The following are 10 important safety rules for all e-scooter riders:
Children under 16 should not operate or ride on motorized or e-scooters. In some cities, it is illegal for kids under 16 to use an e-scooter.
Wear a helmet and closed-toe shoes. Wearing a helmet may prevent or reduce the severity of e-scooter injuries. An adult who falls off an e-scooter is just as likely to hit their head as a child.
Wear protective gear. This includes elbow and kneepads and reflective gear when riding at night.
Start slow. The accelerator and braking tabs on the handles can take getting used to.
No texting and riding. Use both hands to operate the scooter.
No earbuds in. Be aware of your surroundings.
Use bike lanes when available. If not available, riders should stay on the right side of the road.
Do not ride e-scooters on sidewalks, beach paths or parks. This puts pedestrians at risk of injury as well as riders.
Do not operate an e-scooter while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or even some prescription medicines. Parents should set an example for their children in this regard.
E-scooters are not allowed on highways.?Many e-scooter accidents involve motor vehicles. Be aware when riding an e-scooter on busy streets.
Many cities set an age restriction for 16 years and up to operate e-scooters. Law enforcement can issue traffic violations to those who break those rules. A juvenile age 16 or over is treated as an adult for traffic offenses. For younger offenders, however, a court can require a parent or guardian to appear personally at court hearings and pay a fine.
If you live in a city with e-scooters for rent, make sure you understand how to operate an e-scooter safely before riding it. Riding an e-scooter is very different than riding a bike. They accelerate without you pedaling. They have a different center of balance that takes getting used to.
Understand that e-scooters are easily accessible to minors. For example, most cities do not have a way to verify a user’s age, so children and teenagers are able to sign up on an app without parental consent. Make sure your children know the rules and your expectations. Check their phone if you have concerns.
Talk with your college-aged children about the dangers of operating e-scooters while texting, listening to music, or while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
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Ashley Ebersole, MD, MS, FAAP, is a board-certified pediatrician and A dolescent M edicine specialist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Within the American Academy of Pediatrics, she is a member of to the Section on Adolescent Health and part of the Tobacco Consortium. Follow her on X/Twitter @AdolescentMD