Riding an electric scooter at night brings a fascinating experience. When the city streets become strange and mysterious in the dark, the cool air and the glow of the street lamps create a unique atmosphere. With the gentle hum of the wheels, you can feel the feeling of flying freely. However, dangers also come quietly. Riding on the dark streets may encounter obstacles or other vehicles that appear suddenly, which may lead to accidents.
The most common dangers of riding at night
Reduced visibility
Darkness greatly limits riders’ vision. Potholes, uneven surfaces or debris that are easily spotted during the day become hidden dangers at night. Equally concerning is that limited visibility makes it more difficult for motorists to see e-scooters and their riders, increasing the likelihood of a collision.
Increased road hazards
Even familiar roads can present unpredictable risks in the dark. Pedestrians crossing the road, objects accidentally dropped by other vehicles, or sudden changes in the road surface can all lead to accidents.
Lack of driver safety awareness
Car drivers are used to looking for large vehicles with bright headlights. At night, they may not instinctively foresee the presence of a smaller, less illuminated e-scooter. This lack of awareness increases the risk of e-scooter riders not being spotted in time.
Tips for safely driving an electric scooter at night
Before riding
- Check that the scooter’s battery and any electronic devices you carry are fully charged
Ride with others if possible - Check that all protective gear is in place
Plan your route ahead of time and avoid unfamiliar routes - Check that the scooter’s lights and brakes are working properly, ensuring that you can clearly see the road ahead and other vehicles at night.
- Check the brakes. They should be responsive, and at night, reaction time may be slower, so effective braking is essential.
- Check the tires, which should be inflated to the recommended PSI. Well-inflated tires provide better control, especially on wet roads that are common at night.
When riding
- Keep all lights on
- Always wear protective gear (such as helmets, gloves, elbow pads, knee pads, etc.)
- Wear reflective clothing or equipped with LED light strips
- Be careful and pay attention to potential hazards
- Stay in well-lit areas
- Slow down and avoid speeding so that you can brake or evade in time when encountering unexpected situations.
- Avoid using headphones when riding an electric scooter at night to avoid affecting your perception of the surrounding environment.
Types of electric scooter lights
Headlight
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Rear Brake Light
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Turn Signal
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Side Lights/Underdeck Lights
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Taillight
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Function
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Lighting, obstacle avoidance
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Alert others
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Alert others
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Alert others, show personality
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Improve nighttime visibility
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Importance
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The most important light to ensure rider visibility
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Make sure other road users are aware of your activities
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No matter the car in front or behind, they can clearly see the turn signal of the scooter.
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It can alert other road users in low-light conditions at night and is also a display of personalization.
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Help other vehicles and pedestrians better judge your location and direction of riding, improving road safety.
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Why are most electric scooters poorly lit?
- Some of the cheap electric scooters on the market aren’t exactly designed for nighttime riding
- The power for the scooter’s built-in lights comes from the battery, and the added load also reduces the total distance you can ride between battery charges.
Lumens
When an e-scooter has bright lights, it means the lights have high lumens. Lumens refer to the efficiency with which the received power (or watts) is converted into visible light. The term “LLMF” refers to the amount of light coming from the light source at a specific point in the future and is also the maintenance factor of the lights lumens.
Lumens
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Applicable scene
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Less than 100 Lumens
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Suitable for use on busy streets and well-lit areas.
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100 Lumens to 300 Lumens
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Best used in high-traffic and brightly lit areas.
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300 Lumens to 1000 Lumens
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Enough to ensure other drivers can see the e-scooter and the road ahead.
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1000 Lumens
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Provides high visibility, but costs more.
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Nighttime riding laws and regulations
Before riding an e-scooter at night, check the regulations in your area. Some areas completely ban nighttime riding, while others require specific lights and may have speed limits. Knowing the laws is essential for a safe and legal ride. For example, your area may mandate bright headlights and red rear reflectors. It may also limit your nighttime speed to below the daytime limit.