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Posts: 9

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Q: Would you ever buy an electric scooter?

Considering it. Hate public transportation. Safety is the only issue I guess. Also no need for driver's license.

Many of you have one?

11 years 35 weeks ago in  Transport & Travel - China

 
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Posts: 747

Shifu

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I have a electric scooter. Handy to get to work then trying to find a taxi or walking in the heat. When you do drive it you need to keep an eye out on everything that is around you.

And you are right no need for a license. 

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11 years 35 weeks ago
 
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I have had one for over one year now, and they do perform a service for the user, except when it rains.......

But if you are considering to buy one, better learn a few rules of usage that have helped me.

1.- do not speed, cruising at 20 to 30 kms will take you there safely, with plenty reaction time.

2.- avoid riding in a group, locals have difficulty driving straight.

3.- forget all you may know about right of way.  no one will give you that, so be prepared to step on the brakes all the time.

4.- drive defensively at all times.  be prepared for no one to stop, you are expected to be the one to stop.

5.- and if you are riding next to a car, bus, truck or whatever, be prepared to slow down and let them get ahead, otherwise they will hit you when they do make an unannounced turn at the next corner.

6.- all other drivers will never look at you.  They feel that if they do not see you, they will not be at fault if they hit you.

7.- and just because you do not need anything to drive an ebyke, anyone with or without knowledge and or experience, from 10 years to 100 years, can climb on one and drive it.  So, be prepared for the worst always.

GuilinRaf:

Even a regular bike can be dangerous.

I got t-boned by a fellow teacher last month, and we were riding regular bikes. I was on the road, while she was emerging from the schools gate.

Glad i had a helmet!

11 years 35 weeks ago
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11 years 35 weeks ago
 
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Yes I would and I did. If you have experience riding a powered two wheeler (motorbike to you and me) that helps, especially with the crazy drivers, and being situationally aware is essential. Two points though:

 

Range - when new and with good batteries typical range between charges is 30 - 45Km

Theft - theft of bikes is rampant, get a good solid lock and an alarm and NEVER leave it in an unsupervised parking space, pay the extra for a supervised area.

 

The power is usually either 36Watt or 48Watt obviously 48 is better, faster and increased range. You can get 72Watt but apparently they are illegal and the police will confiscate them if they find out. 

 

P.S. I am not an electrician so the power things above were from what an electrician friend told me.

P.P.S I am an ex biker, real bikes.

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11 years 35 weeks ago
 
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If you do not need a license to drive an electric scooter...what if you are drunk...they can still give you trouble?

Hugh.G.Rection:

The law says a hefty fine and up to 15 days in jail.

11 years 35 weeks ago
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11 years 35 weeks ago
 
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Nope. Sorry. I'd rather walk. I have officially dubbed those who ride scooters in China the "Suicide Squad." But obviously, others here are more daring than I. laugh

giadrosich:

"Damn the torpedoes and full speed ahead!" Be safe, be brave, and wail like a banshee!

11 years 31 weeks ago
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11 years 35 weeks ago
 
Posts: 887

Shifu

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Prefer a mountain bike, hate scooters etc...all those fuckers, silent killers!

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11 years 35 weeks ago
 
Posts: 1201

Shifu

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no

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11 years 35 weeks ago
 
Posts: 68

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I think they are the best form of transport, wish they were more common in my home country UK....

Ive had 4 different ones in 3 different cities over the last 4 years, they are great and i have been able to find many places to recharge for free...especially if you are a friendly foreigner (just ask a security guard in an underground parking place or something)

I usually drive full speed throttle fully back unless there are many cars/bikes very close. Make sure to use the horn and indicator lights often even if others never use them and always keep your eyes open and alert, im almost always the first off from the lights (safer that way i guess) only ever had one crash the first month with my first one someone drove into me head on out of a blind alley (no broken bones just a bent basket). 

Didn't have any of my bikes stolen but i always take care to lock it, 2 of the bikes i owned were second hand which i think helps prevent theft and they work almost just as well with a huge price cut (although increased repair costs). 

I use everyday in all weathers, a perfect form of in city transport.

 

If considering buying one i certainly suggest you do!

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11 years 35 weeks ago
 
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  I have one, a little piece of crap electric hairdryer with wheels, but i wouldn't do without it. Can't give in to road rage, which would be easy though as there is no 'give way' and no 'right of way' in china.

  The way i see riding on the roads here is cars, buses, large vehicles in general are elephants, lions and tigers. Bicycles and scooters are deer and antelope. No point pretending you're a lion if you don't have claws, just let them crazy critters cruise on past and go your own way. I don't find the roads dangerous if you know what to expect.

  It's not actually mayhem as such, more ordered chaos. Certainly room for improvement.

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11 years 35 weeks ago
 
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I had an electric one, really good one.  It supported me and my friend and combined we are over 220KG (We are body builders not fat).  It was ideal where I lived as I was in the sticks studying.

 

I had it for almost 3 years, then sold it.  I never changed anything on it and had the original battery all the way.

 

I moved to Shenzhen, and within 1 month I saw a coach run over someone on a scooter.  Truthfully, I think I saw death.  Seeing that thought how easy it could have been me.  As I was in the sticks I hardly any encounter any problems...

 

I would judge the area you live in before buying also it may look uncool but wear a helmet or some sort of protection, I know if a bus hits you probably got no chance but it raises the % a little.

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11 years 35 weeks ago
 
Posts: 259

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i already bought one last year.

here some advise:

buy 60w battery instead of 48. will increase the range and therefore flexibility.

buy a recognized brand to ensure quality.

 

actually u need a license, just nobody cares. but take care, sometimes police stops even electric bikes... 2 people riding on 1 bike is actually already illegal. and yeah, official allowed speed limit is 15km/h lol...

 

u can buy good looking helmets for 40 rmb on taobao... once u see some victims of accidents lying on on the floor, passed out and bleeding, u might think about buying one... especially when it is raining it can be very dangerous.

 

anyway, quite convenient and fast form of transportation on short distanges. but as mentioned by others, keep ur eyes open and expect everything to happen.

 

stay safe fellas!

 

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11 years 35 weeks ago
 
Posts: 1153

Shifu

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the way these people drive you want to risk your life

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11 years 35 weeks ago
 
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Yes, I had a 48 volt 20 amp scooter that looked like an old Vespa. It was great. It was fast enough, could hit 50. I've always had motorcycles, but for city the ebike is good enough. It suited me fine for my daily driving. For just driving it for fun, I did 60 klm one day and still had a full charge, yet other days when I just trashed it I might get 30.
A note about helmets, I looked for along time for a proper helmet. Chinese helmets are no better than a hard hat that I see so many fools wear, even the full face helmets I looked at did not have a shock absorbing material (styrofoam) in them or full padding. With a good helmet you should not feel anything from the impact. With a Chinese helmet you would not feel anything because your head would be crushed.

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11 years 35 weeks ago
 
Posts: 1989

Peasant

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i have one and i love it because i don't need a license to drive itand i can charge it anywhere ..ETC

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11 years 31 weeks ago
 
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have you ever heard of Extreme Sports?  I believe that is the term in the West...

 

well, I often participate in the Ultimate Extreme Sport...    :-p

 

I ride e-bike taxi in Shenzhen.. hoo haw. along with riding petrol-powered Honda AirBlade many years in Isaan / Lao...

 

there is nothing wrong with riding scooters in Asia. just don't complain when u r smushed into a type of grisly hamburger meat along your merry way...

 

youtube pilippino motorbike if u need clarification..

 

before u ask,,, Yes, it always happens to someone else.

 

 

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11 years 31 weeks ago
 
Posts: 583

Shifu

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yes..If someone will guarantee that it will be not stolen..

Once in Wuhan..i saw outside a vegetable market in day time that..a big Van arrived and 5 local people came out and put 2 electric scooter in their Van and ..Go..Went...Gone..They took just 5 second..

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11 years 31 weeks ago
 
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Shifu

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of course silly....

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11 years 31 weeks ago
 
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http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-bird-scooter-vandalism-20180809-story.html

 

Liberals in California are supposed to be into sustainablility, mother earth, going green and all that bullshit diatribe but they don't like electric scooters around and bragging about throwing them into the sea and polluting the water. The clean ocean view is more important. This reminds me of the Kennedy and Kerry democrats that did not want a windfarm in Massachusetts blocking the view and getting in the way of their yachts.

Liberal mother earth democrats, go crank up your fossil fuel burning plane and fly to some far away country and bitch about it some more, while you there, get a passport and stay there you useless piece of carbon. The unintended consequences of public versus private access beaches, unintended consequences that should have been considered when they passed these laws.

 

 

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5 years 33 weeks ago
 
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