Electric Scooter Buying Guide for Daily commute

xkcd12345 on 23/11/2018 - 16:39

Hi all,

I'm starting to look at an electric scooter for my commute to and from work. I work in Pyrmont, so I can catch the bus in the morning from townhall, but thinking of getting a scooter instead. So the walk is 1.4km to where I work.

Given this info, what should I be looking at when I buy a electric scooter. Safety is paramount, as is a battery that won't be worn down (too much) over a few years. I see that OzBargain had some scooters for $600 over the past few months. When I google it I've seen some in the $2000 range as well. I don't mind the $600 mark. It's probably cheaper and less sweaty than getting the lime bikes.

The other option is to wait for Lime or some other provider to drop scooters, but this might be a while away and is most likely going to cost me more than $600 over a year (2x$1 x 5 x 52 = $520).

So basically my question is:
1. What to look for when buying a scooter?
2. Any recommendations given a 1km daily commute. I could probably charge it at work so ignore any power costs.

Find Me A Bargain

Comments

  • tanksinatra on 23/11/2018 - 16:46
    +3

    The other option is to wait for Lime or some other provider to drop scooters, but this might be a while away and is most likely going to cost me more than $600 over a year (2x$1 x 5 x 52 = $520).

    I don't think they will unless the legislation changes. At this stage they are illegal in NSW, and can only be used on private land.
    https://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/pedestri…

    • pegaxs on 23/11/2018 - 16:58
      +4

      Came here to say this. Electric scooters are illegal to use in public areas in NSW, as are electric skateboards. Best OP could hope for is an electric assist bicycle.

      Or, you know, it’s 1.4km to work. Just walk. Buy a nice pair of walking sneakers.

      • John Kimble on 23/11/2018 - 17:04

        Or rollerblades/skates?!

        • pegaxs on 23/11/2018 - 17:10
          +1

          Or a regular scooter/skateboard.

          • scotty on 23/11/2018 - 17:17
            +4

            @pegaxs: Yeah 1.4km will be very quick on a regular scooter, and would be lighter to carry around as well than battery powered ones.

  • SydStrand on 23/11/2018 - 18:12
    +1

    1km is <10 minutes, even at modest walking speed. A scooter may get this <5, but the saving is barely worth the trouble to pack up and plug in. Maybe give yourself a little extra exercise and sunlight every day, listen to music, podcasts, etc.

    • xkcd12345 on 23/11/2018 - 18:55

      I'm a slow walker. So my commute is actually 15 minutes. But to be more specific I need the time saving to get to the train on time on my way to the gym. It will be saving me 10 minutes. Or better yet scoot all the way to the gym.

      • jjjaar on 24/11/2018 - 08:43

        Jog and consider it a warm up for the gym?

  • Quantumcat on 23/11/2018 - 18:35

    What's wrong with a normal bike? If you have somewhere safe to park am electric scooter you should have a safe place to keep a bike.

    • xkcd12345 on 23/11/2018 - 18:56
      +1

      Are we talking about the same thing? Scooters you can fold and take with you. No parking involved.

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