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Safety Tips and Gear for Kids Scooting

A scooter is an incredible ride-on wheeler that has been at the forefront for many years in the toy industry. We bet you’ll agree such a vehicle is a game-changer when it comes to playtime. A scooter is a fascinating screen-time alternative, which is easy to operate and it’s available for kids of all ages. However, as it goes for any type of vehicle, you should be aware of general safety tips on how to ride a kid’s scooter properly.

Don’t underestimate abiding by the rules. Safety guidelines are made for a specific reason – to provide extra safety and avoid unwanted accidents. Especially when it comes to kids riding, it’s for your good to rest assured your child is protected while they are on the streets.

Thus, we’d like to outline the major safety tips for kids scooting. In addition, check out the list of the riding gear recommended to wear while your little buddy is having a blast with a scooter.

little boy is on green scooter

Scooter Safety for Kids: What You Need to Know

When you’re about to purchase the best scooter for kids, you should bear in mind a few crucial aspects in terms of safety. If your child is a rookie scooter rider aged 2 to 3 years old, it’s better to consider investing in a three-wheeler that provides more stability. If your youngster is old and experienced enough, try switching to a two-wheeler.

Soon after, when your kid feels quite confident riding a kick scooter, you may surprise them by presenting a motorized scooter, which is faster and looks out of this world. As soon as the toy is chosen, it’s time to teach your child some safety tips.

bot is trying a three-wheeler

Before Your Child Hops On a Scooter

  • Check if the wheeler is fully assembled. Some models may come with a few parts detached, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to put everything together. If you see detail is missing, don’t neglect to contact the seller right away. And of course, don’t risk riding a defective scooter.
  • Examine the ride-on toy for loose screws and bolts. If you notice one, tighten it immediately. You should check all of the screws from time to time, so they’re set duly. If you notice a missing screw, replace it with a new one. But don’t use the parts made for other scooter models.
  • Check the braking system for defects. Check the brake cable isn’t wobbly. If you notice the brakes don’t work, don’t let your child ride the scooter.
  • Adjust the wheeler in a way, which is comfortable for your child. Set the handlebars and the T-bar at the appropriate length and height. The handbrake should be placed at hand, so it could be used in no time. Check the steering tube is locked when you finish assembling.
  • Check the wheels work fine. They should spin flawlessly. Don’t forget to occasionally clean the wheels from grass and dirt to enhance their longevity.
  • Don’t forget to put safety equipment on your child every time your youngster is riding. Choose the age-appropriate gear that will sit sleek and comfy.

boy and girl are crossing the lane

General Scooter Safety

  • Don’t let your little kids ride a scooter with no supervision. Especially when you’re close to the motorway, you can’t predict the traffic flow, so watch your child carefully. Hence, don’t let your child scoot on the roads.
  • Don’t ride a wheeler on trails not suitable for scooting (e.g. sand, rocky area, etc). Check in advance which types of surface the vehicle can handle. This will prolong the longevity of the toy.
  • Make sure your little one knows how to kick, brake, and steer their scooter and they actually use these skills properly.
  • Don’t let more than one child ride a wheeler. You can see how parents share a deck with their children, or siblings scoot together, but this isn’t right. It’s recommended every youngster has their own vehicle, or offer them to ride in turns.
  • Don’t let toddlers ride a scooter designed for teens or adults. It could be too speedy for them, so your child may be scared and end up falling off the wheeler.
  • Don’t let your kids go wild if they are not experts yet. Lots of kick scooters for kids feature a remote control, so you’re able to set the speed limits. Once your child hones their riding skills, you can change the settings.

boy is going to school by scooter

Safety Tips When Scooting to School

  • Plan ahead the route to school. Your child should feel extremely confident about the directions and whether the path is scoot-friendly.
  • For the first time, you can ride with your kid together to assess the route’s safety and notice some necessary waymarks. If something goes wrong, perhaps you’ll need a plan B.
  • Don’t use the handlebars to put the kid’s schoolbag on. This may lead to losing the balance control and falling off the wheeler. Thus, put the bag on your child’s back before they standing on the vehicle.
  • Don’t let your youngster tie their shirt around their waist. It may end up getting stuck and induce an accident.
  • The same goes for shoes. Watch your child’s shoes are tied when they are on the wheeler.
  • Don’t let your little rider wear earphones while scooting. This could be highly distracting and dangerous.
  • Don’t forget to wear protective gear to reduce the risk of severe injuries. Even though the path to school takes a couple of minutes, don’t be playing with fire.

siblings are riding scooter safely

Riding Gear for Kids: What You Need to Consider

  • Riding Helmet. The very first thing you need to study. Search for a certified headgear, which is tested and proven.
  • Riding Gloves. A pair of solid gloves features shock absorption and heat control. Use gloves of different materials depending on the season.
  • Knee and Elbow Pads. Protect your kid’s open body parts by putting scooter pads on arms and legs. Such gear may prevent from scratches and serious wounds.
  • Light It Up. Make your youngster notable enough on the street by adding some lights. Classy and safe, what a win-win!
  • Use a Bell. Put a bell on the vehicle to inform the rest of the pavement users of your scooting.
  • Riding Boots. Choose footwear wisely while riding. It’s recommended to wear sleek shoes with a snugly fit. No-lace design is a perfect choice.

scooter with big tires close up

Conclusion

No doubts, riding a scooter is fun, whether it’s a kick scooter or an electric wheeler. But you should also be aware of riding safety, no matter where you use your vehicle. Kids’ attention may be divided when it comes to playing games. Therefore, you should teach your loved ones how to operate the wheeler duly, so you could let them have a ball with no worries.

Check out these useful tips to nail scooter safety for kids. Don’t forget to use proper riding gear to make sure your children are protected enough. You may also like the article on how to travel with a kid’s scooter. Stay safe!

Jerry is a former motorcycle mechanic. He’s dedicated his life to nuts and bolts of two- and four-wheelers. Pottering around in the garage - that’s, Jerry claims, the best way to spend all evening long. Currently, Jerry Kidd is a consultant at CFMOTO dealer in Chicago, IL, that offers high-performance ATVs and UTVs. The company has been serving for more than 30 years to provide its customers of all ages with heavy-duty vehicles.

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