Last Updated on February 11, 2022
Electric scooters are becoming more and more popular every day. More and more people are using them to commute to work or run errands. But can you ride an electric scooter in the rain? In this article, we will answer all of your wet weather FAQs!
Are Electric Scooters Waterproof?
Electric scooters are not 100% waterproof, but they can definitely hold up in light rain or mist. However, if you plan on riding your electric scooter in wet weather conditions that are more severe, we recommend using a water-resistant cover.
If you do get caught in the rain while riding your electric scooter, make sure to take extra care when braking and turning. Wet roads can be extremely slippery, so it’s important to slow down and proceed with caution!
And don’t forget – always wear a helmet when riding an electric scooter, no matter what the weather is like!
What Is IP rating?
IP, or Ingress Protection rating, is a scale used to rate the level of waterproofing an electronic device has. The IP rating for electric scooters can range from IPx0 (no protection at all) to IPx68 (protected against close-range high pressure jets of water).
Most electric scooters have an IP rating of either IPx54 or IPx56. This means that they are protected against dust and light rain, but not heavy rain or submersion in water.
If you plan on riding your electric scooter in wet weather conditions, we recommend looking for one with a higher IP rating. This will ensure that your scooter is better protected against the elements!
What happens when you ride an electric scooter in the rain?
An electric scooter doesn’t have a complex internal combustion engine, so it can deal with water much better than a traditional scooter. That said, you should still be careful about the level of exposure to water when riding an electric scooter in the rain. Most electric scooters are not completely waterproof and submerging them underwater may cause damage to their electrical components.
That said, most electric scooters are designed to cope with a little bit of water. If it’s just a light rain or mist, you should be fine riding your electric scooter as normal. Just make sure that you take extra care when travelling over wet surfaces and avoid any large puddles if possible.
If the weather is particularly bad and there’s a risk of your electric scooter becoming submerged in water, it might be best to err on the side of caution and leave it at home. Riding an electric scooter in the rain can be fun, but only if you stay safe!
When should I avoid riding electric scooter in the rain?
Low visibility
One of the main dangers of riding an electric scooter in the rain is low visibility. When it’s wet outside, visibility can be reduced significantly, making it difficult to see other road users and potential hazards. If you can avoid riding your electric scooter during periods of bad weather, we recommend doing so.
Riding an electric scooter in low visibility conditions puts both you and other road users at risk. It’s important to take into account that other drivers may not be able to see you as easily when it’s raining, so always ride with caution.
If you do have to travel in wet weather, make sure that you increase your following distance from other vehicles and wear bright clothing or using additional lighting to make yourself more visible.
If you’re riding an electric scooter at night, it’s also a good idea to wear reflective clothing in addition to bright lights. This will help other road users see you and avoid any potential collisions.
Never rely solely on your front or back lights during times of low visibility and always stay safe!
Heavy rain
If it’s raining heavily, you might want to consider leaving your electric scooter at home and taking public transport or walking instead. Heavy rain can make surfaces very slippery, which increases the risk of accidents occurring.
Even if you are a confident rider, we advise avoiding riding an electric scooter in heavy rain. The combination of wet weather and slick surfaces can be very dangerous, so it’s always better to play it safe.
Take care when travelling on footpaths and roads during times of bad weather – always walk where possible and only travel if conditions are safe.
Freezing rain and snow
Freezing rain is a type of precipitation that falls as liquid droplets but freezes into ice on contact with the ground or another surface. It may also be called glaze or sleet, depending on where you live in the world. Freezing rain is an important winter weather hazard for many countries worldwide, including Canada, Russia and northern parts of Europe and China. The most dangerous aspect of freezing rain is how it coats everything outside with a layer of ice, making driving conditions extremely hazardous because vehicles lose traction when they hit even very thin layers of ice on roads or pavements/sidewalks (pedestrians can slip over too).
Tips on How to Ride Your Electric scooter in Rain
Buy Fenders for Your Electric Scooter
Fenders are the perfect accessory for your electric scooter because they keep water away from you and off of other parts of the bike. You should be able to find a set that fits your model on Amazon or any online marketplace; just remember not every e-scooter will have fenders available as an option (we recommend buying them if it’s possible).
There are many different styles of fender but here’s some tips: Make sure there is a steady attachment point where they can mount securely without moving around while riding, check how much clearance exists between wheels/tires when mounted correctly before purchasing – don’t buy too short ones!
Make sure that you’re getting quality materials which won’t rust under the influence of rain water or salt build-up from road grime (aluminum, stainless steel).
A set should include at least one front and rear fender for each wheel as well as any necessary attachments/mounts needed – but keep in mind that some e-scooters are designed without rear shock absorbers so these might not be an option on those models; you’ll have to check compatibility before ordering anything online!
Make yourself visible to drivers
One of the most important things to remember when riding in wet weather is to make yourself as visible as possible to other road users, especially drivers. In general, wearing bright colors will help you stand out – but there are a few specific tips that we recommend for rainy days:
- Make sure your clothing is light-colored or reflective so that headlights can bounce off of it and show up better;
- Add reflective stickers/tape to clothing, helmet, bags etc.
- If using a backpack (or any other bag), ensure it has a rain cover which will keep everything inside dry;
- Use front and rear lights even during the day time as visibility is reduced in wet weather.
Correct the tire pressure
Another thing you should do as part of your pre-ride checks is to adjust the tire pressure according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. This will ensure that you have the best possible grip on the road, especially in wet conditions when adhesion is already reduced. A quick way of checking whether or not your tires are over-inflated (or under-inflated) is by seeing how deep a footprint they make in water – if it’s more than halfway up the tread, then they’re likely inflated too much and need reducing; conversely, if there’s hardly any mark at all then they might be insufficiently inflated and should be pumped up a bit more.
Lower your Speed
You should always ride at a safe speed, but this is especially true in wet weather. Make sure that you’re always riding within the posted limits and don’t go any faster than necessary for conditions on the ground (or road).
If there are puddles ahead of you then slow down before going over them – even if they look shallow enough to be fine; it’s better to err on the side of caution when it comes to riding an electric scooter because there could be hidden hazards lurking underneath such as pot holes or debris which might cause damage if not noticed early enough. You don’t want something like this happening during your commute!
What should I do if my electric scooter gets wet?
Cover it up
If you can’t avoid getting your electric scooter wet then the best thing to do is try and dry it off as soon as possible. This means removing any water that’s pooled in the battery compartment, under the deck and around electrical components. If there’s a lot of moisture present then you might want to consider using a vacuum cleaner or hair dryer (on low settings) to help speed up the process – but take care not to damage anything in the meantime.
Once everything is completely dry, apply a coat of waterproof sealant or spray wax to all metal surfaces (this will help stop them from corroding).
Maintenance
In general, you should always keep up with maintenance on your electric scooter so that it stays in good condition for as long possible. Wet weather can lead to rusting if left untreated – but there are some simple things which will help prevent this from happening:
- Regularly clean off any dirt and grime using a damp cloth or sponge;
- Use WD-40 twice per month (once before winter storage) to lubricate moving parts such as wheels/bearings etc.;
- Wash down wet surfaces after each ride; store indoors during heavy rain periods when not riding
Article conclusion
Electric scooters are a great way to get around, but it’s important to be prepared for wet weather before hitting the road. Make sure you have the right gear – including fenders, lights and reflective clothing/accessories – and adjust your speed and riding style accordingly. Be safe out there!
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