Getting Around by Foot Scooter

Walking three kilometres one way, and then back is easy. It takes about half an hour for me. If I walk fast then it takes less time. For me, walking is easy. Using the foot scooter is more of an effort too because it requires the use of different muscle groups, than walking, cycling, and running.

I find that when I go a certain distance on the scooter my hip muscles get more tired. With one leg you’re pushing forward, so it feels normal. With the second leg, on the scooter, you can feel the strain. That’s why I like to swap from one leg to the other.

With the e-scooter I wear a helmet, and I go on the road. With the foot scooter I don’t bother. It is much lighter so if you do fall you have more control.

One of the inconveniences with my foot scooter is that the wheels are small. If they hit a curb or another obstacle they’re more likely to come to a stop, and throw me forward. That’s why I always look ahead and try to anticipate obstacles. I put a foot down, lift the front, pass over the obstacle, and then continue.

My route, yesterday, had be going along where road works are not complete so there are small ledges and obstacles that I need to be wary of. I also noticed that in one or two places the surface is so rough that the part holding the wheels could come loose.

Folded Away

The advantage of the foot scooter, in contrast to a bike, is that if you have a small one it folds away, and is easy to keep out of the way in a bar, restaurant, or work place. With a bike you lock it up, leave it outdoors and hope no one takes it.

Easier than Skate Boarding and Rollerblading

It’s easier to learn to use the foot scooter. It comes with a handle and to brake you put your foot on the brake pad above the wheel and slow down. It has a simple, easy to learn design

Electric VS Foot Scooter

Having tried an electric scooter and a foot scooter, I find that the foot scooter is more comfortable than the electric version. The reason for this is that with a physical foot scooter you can be on the pavement. With an electric scooter you have to be on the road or cycle lanes.

The thing I miss most with the electric foot scooter is indicators. I really feel that foot scooters need indicators. If we’re on the road it isn’t safe to take a hand off the steering column to indicate. I also find that I am constantly checking behind me, to have good situational awareness. With the foot scooter we don’t need to behave in quite the same manner.

And Finally

In my experience scooters are good for short hops. From home to the bus, and from the bus to the train, and from the train to work. They’re not so good for longer journeys. Three kilometres is quite long on a foot scooter.