Staying safe

While testing the scooters, our experienced rider was almost knocked on to the road by three car drivers and a pedestrian. Two elderly ladies in a Rover changed lanes without indicating and nearly sideswiped the Cordi R, while several kilometres later a couple in a small Holden indicated right before suddenly diving into a car park on the left – again endangering the Cordi R.

The (bright red) SportCity 50 narrowly escaped being t-boned by a woman in a Mitsubishi leaving a shopping centre. Finally, a man dropped his mobile phone in the middle of the street and decided to try to pick it up just 20 metres in front of the eCruiser electric scooter. Sudden counter-steering saved the pedestrian, the scooter and the rider.

This highlights the dangers of riding scooters, the need for good protective riding gear, and the benefits of honing riding skills.

Safety tips

• Be seen. Wear bright clothing and a bright helmet to increase your visibility, and help avoid accidents.
• Wear good safety gear. A full-face helmet is more likely to protect your face in an accident than an open-face one (and it'll keep you from swallowing flies or bees on your travels). Gloves, a riding jacket and protective trousers are also advisable.
• Ride defensively. Assume other motorists haven't seen you.
• Avoid white lines and slick tar on wet roads.
• Maintain your scooter. Periodically check the safety features of your scooter, especially brakes, indicators, and lights.
• Practise. The more you ride, the more confident you'll get.
• Take a riding course. Many clubs such as the Auckland Motorcycle Club or Victoria Motorcycle Club hold rider-training days, and they can also put you in touch with other rider-training operators.

For more safety information, see our full Scooter safety report.

Report by Marc Wendelborn.