Scooter rides are fun. You may be using an e-scooter or bike to commute, run errands or even for leisurely rides. Of course, e-scooters benefit you in several ways. It’s easy to use, helps you cut travel costs, saves time during city commutes, etc. But on top of all that, many people opt for scooters because they’re easy as opposed to getting stuck in traffic. Ever wonder who’d enjoy riding scooters more than you?
Kids. Yes, your kid might be longing to get their hands on a downsized version of your e-scooter. Whether you inspired them or they got interested some other way, most children would love to have their own little fun scooter to zoom around the neighbourhood. Besides, it’s always great to help them practice at a young age.
However, you must consider a few things before getting your little loved one a scooter. There are several types of models available in the market. In this post, we will share four things you need to check before buying a fun scooter for your child. Let’s dive in.
Safety First
When looking to buy a scooter for kids, ensure that it meets the required safety standards. Check out raisingchildren.net.au to find out about the safety information and standards that apply to two-wheelers and rider equipment in Australia. Cross-verify labels on the scooter models to ensure that they adhere to existing safety standards. This way you know that you’re getting your kid a safe and fun ride.
Scooter Dimensions
Although an obvious consideration, choosing a scooter of the right size should be included on this list. Kids scooters are designed in a way that children of average size could ride them comfortably.
A very important dimension you need to check before buying a kid’s scooter is its footboard height. You may already know or come across the term tread height. Riding a scooter with a footboard that’s too high means your child will have to squat a lot, which will cause their legs to ache. To ensure comfort and a smooth ride, it is recommended that you choose a scooter that has a tread height less than 7cm.
Next up, check for adequate footboard length. Be sure to choose a scooter that features a board that is neither too wide nor too long. A wide footboard would make it hard for your kid to push the board forward. Also, it increases the chance of their little foot getting stuck if they try to push while taking a curve. Whereas an excessively long footboard would act against the scooter’s ergonomic efficiency.
Type Of Wheels
If you take a look at the wheel sizes of commuter scooters, you’ll realise they’re relatively way smaller and comparable to skateboard wheels. This means the wheels fitted on kids’ scooters would be rather small. This, in turn, means that they are unlikely to perform very well even on ordinary pavement or moderately rough surfaces. These scooters might do well inside the house (if your kid’s got permission to ride indoors) or smoothly concrete out in the driveway or open garage.
However, several kid scooter models feature wheels with inflatable tyres. These might be a little heavier than the former but they’re not anything that a healthy child could not handle. These scooters can be ridden over pretty much any surface just like adult scooters, except for rough terrain.
Check The Braking System
Make sure that the scooter you choose for your child has working and good quality brakes. Also, check if the brakes aren’t too tight or large for an average kid’s hand size. Even though a kid’s scooter won’t pick up great speeds, children might ride their scooters on slopes or slanted surfaces. Working brakes are a must in such cases to avoid accidents and injury.
To Conclude
The first thing you might check before buying something will be its quality and brand. No matter how these factors influence your buying decision, always be sure to look for the above mentioned things before you get your child a fun ride. Remember, safety always comes first, followed by features that’d ensure riding comfort, stability and longevity.
Iesha is a loving mother of 2 beautiful children. She’s an active parent who enjoys indoor and outdoor adventures with her family. Her mission is to share practical and realistic parenting advice to help the parenting community becoming stronger.