Electric scooter safety gear: helmets, lights and what to wear

Helmets: match it to your speed

Your head is the part of you that cannot be repaired. A helmet does its job only if it fits, is fastened, and was designed for the speeds you ride.

• Up to about 20 mph: a bicycle helmet. Look for a CPSC sticker inside, which shows it was made to the US bicycle helmet safety standard.
• 20 to 30 mph: a helmet made for higher speed riding, such as a downhill mountain bike helmet or an electric bike helmet with a chin guard.
• Above 30 mph: a full face motorcycle helmet with a DOT sticker. At these speeds a fall is closer to a motorcycle crash than a bicycle one.

Fit is simple to check. The helmet should sit level, about two finger widths above your eyebrows. The strap should form a V under each ear, and you should fit no more than one finger between the buckled strap and your chin. Shake your head: the helmet should move with it.

Lights and being seen

Most collisions happen because a driver did not see the rider. A small electric scooter is easy to miss, especially at dusk, at night and in rain.

• A white front light and a red rear light, on from dusk and in poor weather. Many models have both built in. Add a brighter clip on front light if yours only lights the ground near the wheel.
• A rear light that flashes during the day is easier to notice than a steady one.
• Reflective strips on your jacket, bag or ankles. Moving reflectors on your legs catch a driver’s eye quickly.
• A bright jacket or vest for daytime riding.

Check your local rules too: many places require a front light and a rear light or reflector after dark. See electric scooter laws: what to check before you ride.

Gloves

When people fall, they put their hands out. Even at 10 mph, pavement takes skin off your palms in a moment. Cycling gloves with padded palms are enough at commuter speeds. Above 25 mph, motorcycle gloves with knuckle and palm protection are the better choice.

Pick gloves that still let you feel the brake levers clearly. In winter, look for insulated gloves that are not so bulky that you have to hunt for the lever.

Pads, jackets and shoes

• Closed shoes with a flat, grippy sole. Sandals and heels slip on the deck and give your feet no protection.
• Knee and elbow pads for new riders, and for anyone riding above about 25 mph. Slim pads fit under trousers.
• An armored jacket on the fastest models, with protection at the shoulders, elbows and back.
• Long trousers help even on warm days. Denim resists a slide better than light fabric.

The one minute check before you ride

Good gear does not help if the electric scooter fails under you. Before each ride:

• Squeeze both brakes. They should feel firm and stop the wheel.
• Press the tires. Soft tires steer badly and puncture easily.
• Check the folding latch is fully locked and the stem does not rock.
• Turn the lights on and check the battery level.

The full routine is in our maintenance checklist.

Riding habits that prevent falls

• Keep both hands on the handlebar and both feet on the deck, one slightly ahead of the other.
• Slow down for potholes, cracks, curbs and rails, and cross them upright and straight.
• Brake early and gently with both brakes. Grabbing the front brake alone is a common cause of falls.
• Start in the lowest power mode until you know how the electric scooter pulls away.
• In rain, slow down by a third and brake even earlier. See riding in rain and winter.
• No phone, no headphones in both ears, and no passengers.

Maker figures, checked September 2026. Real range and speed depend on rider weight, terrain, temperature and riding mode.

Faster models need more gear. Read how fast electric scooters go before you choose a speed class, and browse the electric scooter shop to compare models.

Questions riders ask