Are Electric Longboards Safe?
If you’ve ever wondered to yourself “Are electric longboards safe” you’ve come to the right place. While there are some dangers involved in the sport, longboarding is a very safe activity. In fact, very few people suffer injuries while longboarding. When accidents occur, usually it’s a result of riders hitting obstructions or riding downhill with too much speed and not being able to stop.
This is why we always tell people that electric longboards and skateboards are actually safer than conventional longboards, because you’re always in control of the board’s speed and its ability to brake and stop because the board is powered by a easy-to-use hand-held remote. You can slow down in an instance if you feel in danger or need to stop.
Braking on a longboard
The best way to prevent accidents is to practice proper braking. One of the biggest differences between a conventional longboard and an electric longboard is the built-in braking system that electric longboards have.
If you want to slow down or stop on an electric longboard, all you have to do is pull back on the toggle switch on the remote control – this will allow you to travel at speeds that are suitable for your riding ability and stop in an easy, efficient manner.
When it comes to slowing down on conventional longboards you’ll have to do it manually. There are a number of different techniques that require practice and experience to perfect. Some of these include:
- Using your body weight to slide the back end of the longboard out
- Dragging your foot along the ground, this is called foot braking
- Jumping off your longboard and running until you slow down
- Waiting for an incline to ride up and lose the forward momentum the board has until you slow down or come to a stop.
The stopping techniques mentioned for riding a conventional longboard all take skill, practice and experience to get right and ride away without injury. These methods are much harder than applying the brakes and slowing down on an electric longboard, which only requires understanding how to use the remote.
It doesn’t take much experience or skill for someone to ride an electric longboard. Anyone can hop on and ride, regardless of skill level. The braking system alleviates anxiety when it comes to slowing down and stopping, once the rider is travelling at high speeds. Riding down a hill on a conventional longboard requires the rider to have a grasp on how to stop the board – they must be able to perfect one or more of the braking methods previously mentioned or they’ll risk injuring themselves.
An Electric longboard is much safer and easier for a beginner to grasp, especially when it comes to riding down hills or at high rates of speed in public or amongst traffic. The speed and braking is totally controlled by you with the hand-held remote.
Protective gear on all boards helps
Protective gear is essential for longboarders and electric longboards alike. In addition to proper protective gear, longboarders should wear the appropriate footwear. Skate shoes with flat bottoms allow for maximum comfort and maneuverability while riding. These can help protect you from any foreseeable accidents. In addition to this, a helmet, knee and elbow pads are important. Make sure to keep yourself safe with protective gear.
Longboarding in the city
Riding in traffic and being aware of surroundings is something that both conventional riders and electric riders have to keep in mind. While longboarding in traffic, it is always wise to stay in your lane and ride slowly, especially if you’re not used to it.
Keeping in the bike lane can make your next move more predictable. Respect the rules of the road. Never go against the flow of traffic, turn only when permitted, and use reflective gear and lights at night. Remember, the more visible you are, the less likely you’ll be to get hurt. Get your own longboard headlights and tail lights.
The best way to keep longboarding safe is to practice in a safe environment. It’s best to avoid riding in the rain, which can make your board more vulnerable to damage. Water weakens wood and can cause layers to split. Rain and wet conditions can also cause damage to the battery and ESC on an electric board. Some boards are better suited for wet conditions than others – check out the Shaboardz Summit XT our high-performance longboard.
Freeriding is the most dangerous activity on a longboard. It involves downhill riding at high-speeds. It can reach speeds of up to 90 mph. Since there are no brakes on a conventional longboards, riders must slow down by sliding their hands on the road or a cliff. This type of riding should only be done be experienced riders. Aside from helmets, it’s important to wear knee and elbow pads. In addition, riders must also be able to roll into a fall safely.
Like anything you do in life, there are certain risks when it comes to longboarding. Whether you’re riding a conventional board or electric board, there are certain safety measures that riders should consider before heading out.
The biggest difference between riding an old-school longboard and an electric longboard is the control the rider has – there’s no question that an inexperienced rider or a beginner would have an easier time riding and commuting on an electric longboard because of the braking system offered by this new technology. Conventional boards require more practice to gain the skills required to ride a longboard at an intermediate to high skill level, especially when it comes to picking up speed on hills.
So, is riding an electric longboard safe? Yes! With the things we’ve outlined in this article, we believe anyone can jump on an electric board and ride. How about old-school longboards? If you’re willing to take the time to learn proper braking techniques and other skills required to ride a longboard with no brakes, then yes, it’s also safe! Whatever type of board you choose, make sure to protect the melon and at the very least wear a helmet when riding.
