This is what I learned from riding an electric scooter

In an effort to reduce carbon emissions, my city has seen the rise of countless bike lanes and an increasing number of gadgets. There is a lot of new technology for transportation, from electric bicycles and scooters to e-boards and futuristic-looking unicycles. Wanting to see what the electric vehicle (EV) craze was all about, I decided to buy an entry-level e-scooter to drive to work in the summer. Was the commute as fun as it looked? Here are five things I learned by riding an electric scooter for the first time.

Read more: Electric scooter buying guide: everything you need to know

It’s easy to learn to ride a scooter

To the uninitiated, it may seem daunting to overtake all the EVs whizzing down the road. Rest assured, however, that there are surprisingly few learning curves for riding an electric scooter. I decided to de Gotrax GXL V2 ($348) because it was an affordable model for novice riders and had twice the range I needed to get to the office and back home on one charge.

When it finally arrived, the Gotrax GXL V2 was easy to assemble and after four hours of charging it was even easier to ride. As a cyclist I found a familiar handbrake and bell on my left. To my right a tantalizing thumb throttle that I kept pushing to press. My first test run was around the desks in our open-plan office space (which may have forced some of my colleagues to noise canceling headphones), and then I took it out for a real road test.

With one foot planted on the scooter and the other pushed off the ground, a simple twist of the throttle was enough to gain speed and maintain balance. As for slowing down, I found the brakes on this model to be somewhat inconsistent, sometimes slow to stop and sometimes too abrupt. The higher your speed when braking, the faster they wear out and require maintenance.

Turning is easy enough, especially if you can afford a large radius. You can’t really signal your turns though, as you need both hands on the handlebars, although some newer more expensive scooters have added glowing signals for this reason.

Invest in practical features

The first thing I felt when riding my Gotrax was every bump and crack in the road. One feature my e-scooter lacked was suspension, and my knees would have certainly appreciated some support. Even if your commute is mostly flat, I recommend investing in suspension or thicker tires to smooth out any surprises on the street.

The second thing I noticed was the speed reduction on the slightest inclines. The 250W motor would struggle to climb hills, and it took a few push-kicks to propel me up. Hills will also drain the battery faster, reducing the maximum range. Look for a 350W or even 500W motor if you want to cover longer distances or over rolling terrain.

While the scooter is nice under the sun, I don’t expect to use it for most other seasons on the west coast as it isn’t waterproof. As soon as it started to rain, it quickly became slippery under the wheels. There is also concern that any splashes could damage electrical components. If you live somewhere wet, look for a model with an IP rating of at least five but preferably six (IP5X or IP 6X) for protection from the elements.

Finally, there is the portability factor. While the Gotrax GXL V2 only weighs about 25 lbs, the folding clip (or lack thereof) made it difficult to carry. The plastic latch failed the shake test and would fly open unexpectedly. If you plan to transport your scooter in transit or through public areas, take my advice and invest in one with a strong enough lock to keep the scooter folded, such as the Gotrax G4.

Initially I wasn’t sure about speed limits, and it seems most municipalities don’t know what to look out for either. My city is in the midst of a three-year electric scooter pilot program and threatens to fine anyone driving faster than 25 km/h on the road. Still, that doesn’t stop some riders from doubling that with more expensive models. However, most budget-friendly options have an engine limited to ~25 mph, which puts you on the safe side of the regulations.

There was also the issue of where I was allowed to ride my e-scooter. For example, I was looking forward to driving along the seawall of Stanley Park, only to find that it was restricted to bicycles and pedestrians.

Finally, certain areas have different night driving rules. If you plan on driving around in the dark, buy a scooter with a good headlight and reflectors. While most e-scooters have a headlight, you’ll usually find reflective stickers that can wear out over time. For added security, some helmets now have LED lighting to increase visibility.

It’s faster and more fun than transit

I used to take the bus everywhere, but now I never go back unless I have to. Feeling the wind as I cross the bridge into downtown, and the quiet satisfaction of passing cars stuck in traffic will never get old.

An electric scooter is perfect for a quick commute until you have too much to carry. Riding with a backpack isn’t a problem, but if you need more cargo space, you might want to consider a bag attachment to hang on the front handlebars. If that isn’t enough storage space, there is always the option to purchase an electric bicycle. Although it is more expensive, you can carry heavier loads on the front and back of your bike.

Our guide: What you need to know about electric bikes, plus our top picks

It made me long for more

While the Gotrax was a fun and safe introduction to the world of electric scooters, it left me wanting more. Having already tested a few models, I can say that it is worth paying a little extra for some advanced features. Look for suspension or thicker tires for a smoother ride, a safe folding clip and better water resistance. The fewer plastic parts, the longer your scooter will last.

After a week of riding, I gained confidence that I could handle more speed and power. One of the frustrating things was not being able to pass slower cyclists or scooters on the bike path. The inability to pick up speed also made me feel unsafe to dart out of the way of traffic in an instant. Some models, such as the Segway Ninebot Max, have multiple speed modes, allowing novice riders to raise the bar after a little practice. With longer range, you can also drive for longer without worrying about charging.

EVs are only getting more popular as technology gets better. If you’re considering getting one, there’s no better time than summer to dip your toes into the surging world of electric micromobility. And if storage space isn’t an issue, a good e-scooter is the way to go.