Set the minimum and maximum price limits to a budget range that suits your needs.
Range
Calculate the number of miles you will need to travel for your daily commute (round trip) and look for a scooter with a few miles more than that as a buffer.
| MPH | KM/H |
| 5 | 8 |
| 6 | 10 |
| 7 | 11 |
| 8 | 13 |
| 9 | 14 |
| 10 | 16 |
| 11 | 18 |
| 12 | 19 |
| 13 | 21 |
| 14 | 22.5 |
| 15 | 24 |
| 16 | 26 |
| 17 | 27 |
| 18 | 29 |
| 19 | 30.5 |
| 20 | 32 |
| 21 | 34 |
| 22 | 35 |
| 23 | 37 |
| 24 | 39 |
| 25 | 40 |
| 26 | 42 |
| 27 | 43 |
| 28 | 45 |
| 29 | 47 |
| 30 | 48 |
| 31 | 50 |
| 32 | 51 |
| 33 | 53 |
| 34 | 55 |
| 35 | 56 |
Battery
The higher the battery capacity, the greater the range.
But battery capacity (and scooter range) decreases over time.
Most batteries will last at least 300 to 500 charge cycles, and the best batteries can withstand up to 1,000 charge cycles before they start to degrade.
Motor Power
A 250W motor is more than adequate for flat surfaces and very small hills. If you live in an area with steeper hills, consider a 350 or 500 watt motor.
Top Speed
|
State
|
Riding rage
|
Regulations
|
Age
|
Protective gear
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Texas
|
It is legal to ride electric scooters on roadways with a speed limit of 35 km/h or less.
Whether they can be ridden on sidewalks is still under discussion.
|
Currently, e-scooter riders are required to follow the same traffic laws as motor vehicle drivers, including stopping at traffic lights, driving directions in lanes, etc.
Since the law only allows e-scooters to be driven on roads with a speed limit of 35 km/h or less, it means that they cannot be used on highways.
|
Not specified
|
Although there is no law requiring the wearing of protective gear (such as helmets) and electric scooter rental companies only recommend the wearing of helmets, judging by the injuries caused by past accidents involving riding electric scooters, wearing a helmet is still very important for riding.
|
|
California
|
California law requires that electric scooters can only be used in bike lanes.
The maximum speed limit is 15 mph everywhere, which is one of the few states in North America that has such a high speed limit. Speeding can result in a $250 ticket.
|
|
You must be over 16 and hold a valid motor vehicle license to ride an electric scooter on the road, otherwise you may face a $200 fine.
|
Riders under 18 must wear a helmet.
|
|
New York
|
You can drive on motor vehicle lanes and bicycle lanes with a speed limit of no more than 30 miles per hour, but you are prohibited from driving on sidewalks.
|
|
16+
|
All riders under the age of 18 must wear a helmet.
|
|
Michigan
|
Electric scooters can be driven on public roads.
|
Ride on the right side of the road whenever possible.
Do not ride more than 2 people abreast.
When required by local ordinance, use designated paths.
Do not ride between lanes of traffic. (MCL 257.660(1), (2), (3), and (4))
Unusually, you can ride on the sidewalk, but you must “give way to pedestrians” and you must “give an audible signal before passing and passing pedestrians.” (MCL 257.660(5)
If you ride on a roadway between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise, you must have a white front light that is visible at a distance of at least 500 feet and red reflectors or a red rear light that is visible at a distance of 500 feet…” (MCL 257.662(1))
|
Children under 12 may not ride an electric scooter or electric skateboard “on a public highway or street.” (MCL 257.658(9))
|
Only scooter or electric scooter riders who are under 19 years of age are required to “wear a helmet.” (MCL 257.658(4))
|
|
Indiana and Illinois
|
E-scooters cannot be ridden on sidewalks, cultural trails, or any greenway.
E-scooters must be ridden on the street, following all normal traffic laws.
|
You can ride on bike lanes;
You cannot ride against the flow on one-way streets
|
Not specified
|
Helmets are recommended but not yet mandatory
|
|
Arizona
|
No restrictions, no licenses, insurance or registration required.
|
It must have handlebars
The scooter must not weigh more than 34 kg (75 lbs)
It must not be ridden faster than 32 km/h (20 mph)
|
Not specified
|
Riders under 18 must wear a helmet
|
|
District of Columbia/Washington, D.C.
|
Riders are not allowed to wear headphones.
|
The speed limit is 10 miles per hour,
Riders are not allowed on sidewalks in the central business district,
and they are not allowed to wear headphones
|
16+
|
Not specified
|
|
Alabama
|
Scooters are legal, but the specific laws are determined by local municipalities. The permissibility of scooter-sharing programs depends on the city.
|
Speed must not exceed 25 miles per hour
|
16+, need to obtain a motor vehicle driving license.
|
Not specified
|
|
Alaska
|
E-scooters are classified as “motor-powered bicycles” and are subject to similar regulations as motorcycles, including licensing and power limits.
|
Speed must not exceed 25 miles per hour
|
Not specified
|
Not specified
|
|
Arkansas
|
Scooters are legal on the road, but there are certain age and speed limits. Regulations for shared scooters are set by local municipalities.
|
Speed must not exceed 25 miles per hour
|
16+, need to obtain a motor vehicle driving license.
|
|
|
Colorado
|
Can be used on streets with a speed limit of 30 mph or less, and in some cases on sidewalks.
|
Speed must not exceed 30 miles per hour
|
Not specified
|
Not specified
|
|
Connecticut
|
Electric scooters are allowed on public roads, but not on highways. Riders must obey traffic rules, including yielding to pedestrians and obeying traffic signals.
|
Speed must not exceed 25 miles per hour
|
16+, need to obtain DL/Permit motor vehicle driver’s license.
|
Riders under 16 must wear a helmet
|
|
Delaware
|
Driving on streets, highways or sidewalks is not permitted.
|
Speed must not exceed 25 miles per hour
|
16+, need to obtain a motor vehicle driving license.
|
Not specified
|
|
Washington, D.C.
|
Scooters are classified as “personal mobility devices” and have age and sidewalk restrictions.
|
Shared scooter riders under 18 are required to wear helmets, and the speed limit is 10 mph.
|
Shared scooter riders under 18 are required to wear helmets and the speed limit is 10 mph.
|
Shared scooter riders under 18 are required to wear helmets
|
|
Florida
|
Scooters are legal throughout the state, with similar age limits and rules as bicycles.
|
Speed must not exceed 25 miles per hour
|
16+, need to obtain DL/Permit motor vehicle driver’s license.
|
Not specified
|
|
Georgia
|
E-scooter laws place limits on weight, speed and location, with other regulations set by local municipalities.
|
Speed must not exceed 25 miles per hour
|
16+
|
Not specified
|
|
Hawaii
|
E-scooters are considered motor vehicles and must obey traffic rules and be driven on roads.
|
Speeds must not exceed 25 miles per hour, and e-scooters are not allowed on sidewalks, only roads.
|
15+, need to obtain DL/Permit motor vehicle driver’s license.
|
Riders must wear helmets
|
|
Idaho
|
Scooter laws are still being developed, and local governments are regulating their use.
|
Speed must not exceed 25 miles per hour
|
Not specified
|
Not specified
|
|
Iowa
|
May be used on streets, sidewalks and bike paths where the speed limit is 35 mph or less.
|
Speed must not exceed 25 miles per hour
|
14+, need to obtain DL/Permit motor vehicle driver’s license.
|
Not specified
|
|
Kansas
|
They are allowed on the road but are not allowed on highways or sidewalks.
|
Speed must not exceed 25 miles per hour
|
Not specified
|
Not specified
|
|
Kentucky
|
Scooters are treated similarly to bicycles, with age, lighting and location restrictions, but no registration, licensing or insurance requirements.
|
Speed must not exceed 25 miles per hour
|
Not specified
|
Not specified
|
|
Louisiana
|
Scooter riders need a valid driver’s license and must adhere to age, helmet and location restrictions.
|
Speed must not exceed 25 miles per hour
|
16+, need to obtain DL/Permit motor vehicle driver’s license.
|
Not specified
|
|
Maine
|
Scooters are road legal with regard to speed, lighting, wheel size, engine power and licensing restrictions.
|
Speed must not exceed 25 miles per hour
|
Not specified
|
Not specified
|
|
Maryland
|
Scooters are legal on the road and subject to similar laws as bicycles.
|
Speed must not exceed 20 miles per hour
|
16+, need to obtain DL/Permit motor vehicle driver’s license.
|
|
|
Massachusetts
|
Scooter riders must yield to pedestrians, wear helmets and follow sound signal rules. Licensing and speed limits apply.
|
Speed must not exceed 25 miles per hour
|
16+, need to obtain a motor vehicle driving license.
|
Riders must wear helmets
|
|
Mississippi
|
Scooter laws in Mississippi are largely unformed, with regulations left up to local municipalities.
|
Speed must not exceed 25 miles per hour
|
16+, need to obtain a motor vehicle driving license.
|
|
|
Missouri
|
E-scooters are road legal and, like e-bikes, can be used in bike lanes.
|
Speed must not exceed 30 miles per hour
|
16+, need to obtain a motor vehicle driving license.
|
Not specified
|
|
Montana
|
Treat e-scooters as e-bikes and follow e-bike regulations.
|
Speeds must not exceed 25 miles per hour
They are allowed on streets and bike lanes, but not on sidewalks.
Riders must yield to pedestrians and follow traffic lights.
|
Not specified
|
Not specified
|
|
Nebraska
|
E-scooter use is mostly unregulated across the state and does not require registration.
|
Speeds may not exceed 25 miles per hour
Cyclists should still obey traffic laws and avoid riding on sidewalks.
|
14+, a motor vehicle driver’s license is required.
|
|
|
Nevada
|
E-scooters are allowed on public roads but must weigh no more than 100 pounds.
|
Speed must not exceed 20 miles per hour
|
16+
|
Not specified
|
|
New Hampshire
|
Statewide regulations for e-scooters are lacking, but cities like Nashua and Portsmouth have laws governing shared scooters.
|
Speed must not exceed 25 miles per hour
|
16+, need to obtain DL/Permit motor vehicle driver’s license.
|
|
|
New Jersey
|
E-scooters are classified as “low-speed electric scooters,” and regulations for riding them on trails and sidewalks vary by city. No driver’s license, insurance or vehicle registration is required.
|
Speed must not exceed 19 miles per hour
|
16+, need to obtain a motor vehicle driving license.
|
|
|
New Mexico
|
Regulation of e-scooters is the responsibility of local municipalities, with a bill being considered for statewide governance.
|
Speed must not exceed 25 miles per hour
|
Not specified
|
Not specified
|
|
North Carolina
|
Electric scooters require registration with the DMV and a valid driver’s license.
|
Speed must not exceed 25 miles per hour
Scooters cannot be driven on roads with a speed limit exceeding 25 miles per hour.
|
16+, need to obtain DL/Permit motor vehicle driver’s license.
|
|
|
North Dakota
|
While not specifically regulated statewide, e-scooters in North Dakota are subject to existing moped legislation.
|
Speed must not exceed 25 miles per hour
|
Not specified
|
Riders under 18 must wear a helmet.
|
|
Ohio
|
Electric scooters are classified as “low-speed micromobility devices.”
|
The speed may not exceed 20 miles per hour.
You may drive on public roads and follow traffic signals.
|
16+, need to obtain a motor vehicle driving license.
|
|
|
Oklahoma
|
Regulation is left to individual cities, and Oklahoma City, Norman, Stillwater and Tulsa all have scooter-sharing programs.
|
Speed must not exceed 25 miles per hour
|
Not specified
|
Not specified
|
|
Oregon
|
E-scooters, like mopeds, are allowed to have motors up to 100 watts. Individual cities can set their own rules.
|
Speed must not exceed 24 miles per hour
|
16+, need to obtain DL/Permit motor vehicle driver’s license.
|
|
|
Pennsylvania
|
State-level e-scooter laws are in the works, with bills seeking to establish statewide rules. Currently, regulation is the responsibility of individual cities.
|
Speed must not exceed 25 miles per hour
|
16+, need to obtain DL/Permit motor vehicle driver’s license.
|
Brakes
A quality braking system is essential to maintaining safety and control while riding an electric scooter.
Electric Scooter Braking System Types
Suspension
The suspension smooths out bumps and dips in the road, improving ride comfort.
How to Choose the Right Electric Scooter Suspension for You?
Tires
Generally speaking, larger wheels are more stable and can get over obstacles. If portability is your primary concern, smaller wheels should be chosen.
Weight & Portability
It is recommended that the weight of the scooter should not exceed 30% of your body weight so that you can maneuver it easily and comfortably.
Rider Weight
Most electric scooters can handle 220 pounds, but riders over that weight should focus on finding a scooter with 500W or more.
Deck
The pedals of an electric scooter play an important role in the overall riding experience. When choosing a pedal, it is important to consider the size, shape, material, and construction of the pedal.
Lighting
The standard white high-mounted headlights and red taillights, bow lights and deck lights certainly do the job.
Is it Safe to Ride an Electric Scooter at Night?
IP Rating
If you’re planning on buying an electric scooter that’s suitable for all weather conditions, it pays to familiarize yourself with IP ratings.
Warranty & Customer Support
The warranty will be your lifeline if anything goes wrong later. Many companies offer some type of limited warranty on their e-scooters, so be sure to read the fine print to find out what’s covered before buying.
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