• Safety
Electric Skateboard Safety
Most people think they’ve mastered the basics—until they realize the key safety and performance tips they’ve been missing. Do you know them? Read on to find out!
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Written by
Edison Chen
Overview
CONGRATS!!! 🎉🎉🎉 You've built your own electric skateboard and you're ready to full send it, but before starting you need to know how to safely ride in order to ensure the best experience. Riding an electric skateboard may seem simple, but understanding the right techniques and safety measures will help prevent accidents and keep you in control. This guide covers topics from getting familiar with your skateboard’s key components to avoiding common mistakes made by beginners.
Lectec's Electric Skateboard Kit
Understanding Your Scooter
Before we get into how to ride your electric skateboard, it's important to know what you're riding. Electric skateboards have five key components: the motor, electronic braking system, deck, trucks, and wheels. Think of it like this: the motor powers the board, allowing it to accelerate and maintain speed; the
electronic braking system helps you slow down or stop safely; the deck is where you stand and balance while riding; the trucks connect the wheels to the deck and allow you to turn by shifting your weight; finally, the wheels let you roll smoothly over different surfaces. These parts work together to ensure a controlled and enjoyable ride.
Lectec's Electric Vehicle Battery Pack with Built in Fire Extinguisher
Electric skateboards also have a remote control. It controls the actual movement of your skateboard by sending a signal to the motor and braking system. Interested in learning more about how signals work? Click here to check out our lesson on signals on our LMS! As an extra precaution, Lectec’s electric vehicle is equipped with a built-in fire extinguisher in the battery to ensure fire safety and prevent any battery fires.
Safety Equipment
Now that you've gotten to know your skateboard, it's time to learn about safety equipment. Having the right safety gear will make a significant difference in preventing injuries. A helmet is a must—according to the CDC, wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of serious head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, by up to 55%. Followed by knee and wrist pads to protect riders against scratches and bruises caused by falls. Luckily, Lectec offers a starter bundle option for our DIY electric vehicle kit, which includes a helmet, wrist pads, and knee pads to ensure maximum protection while riding.
Safety Pack that comes with Lectec's Starter Bundle; Helmet, Wrist Pads, Knee Pads
Stance
After equipping yourself with the proper safety gear, how should you even stand on your skateboard? Finding the right foot placement is crucial as it will determine your comfortability and safety while riding. There are two stances: goofy and regular. When your right foot is at the front and your left is at the back, it’s called a goofy stance. The opposite—left foot in front and right foot in the back—is called a regular stance. Despite the name, regular does not mean it is the correct stance—it’s just the most common. The most important thing is choosing a stance that feels the most comfortable and natural for you.
Lectec's electric skateboard's deck showing foot placement
Avoiding Common Mistakes
After equipping yourself with the proper safety gear, you need to know how to ride safely. To prevent unnecessary injuries, be mindful of common mistakes like starting or stopping too suddenly. When starting, push off gently before lightly increasing the speed on the remote, allowing for gradual acceleration. Remember to avoid jerky movements that could cause instability. When stopping, gradually pull back on the remote control to slow down, rather than braking too suddenly, which can throw you off balance. Another key factor is posture—leaning too far forward or backward can lead to loss of control. Lastly, reduce distractions, such as using a phone while riding, as it will take your attention away from the road. Need a visual? Click here to watch our video on riding safety!
Two girls from CSIU helping one another with balancing on Lectec's electric skateboard
Final Tips
You're almost fully ready to start riding, but there are just a few more things to know before you head out. It's good to perform a pre-ride safety check to ensure everything is in working order—inspect the remote control's battery levels, skateboard's battery levels, brakes, and wheels before heading out. Always stay aware of your surroundings, anticipate movements of pedestrians and vehicles, and ride responsibly. Now that you are fully equipped with the proper gear and safety knowledge, go have fun riding!
Kids getting ready to ride their built Lectec Electric Skateboards
Why just ride when you can build? With Lectec’s DIY electric vehicle kit, you’ll learn STEM concepts while assembling your own electric scooter or skateboard. Building your own ride helps you understand how each component functions, making it easier to diagnose and fix issues while also improving overall safety. Our starter bundle comes with safety gear, so you’re ready to ride from day one!
Did you get a scooter instead? Although the experience is similar, there are different things to keep in mind to have the safest ride. Click here for our article on scooter safety.
