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Most People Don’t Know How to Ride an Electric Scooter in Rain
Riding electric scooter while raining is challenging
Most people don’t. They end up ruining their ride experience, destroying their e-scooter or get injured. So, please don’t be one of them. You’re in the right place if you want to learn more.
Manufacturers advise you not to ride your electric scooter in the rain. On the other hand, you can see businesses like Bird and Lime are using these despite Armageddon rain…
And, of course, you might be confused…
What on earth is going on?
There are so many unanswered questions:
- Can electric scooters be used in rain?
- Is an electric scooter waterproof or not?
- And what should I believe?
And even if you find answers –they turn out to be a half-truth…
In this post, you’ll find out which electric scooters can be used in heavy rain and which one can be used only in wet conditions.
Also, you’ll learn how to take care of electric scooter components (battery, brakes, etc.) if you get caught in the rain and you’re on an electric scooter.
Once and for all, you will learn what the difference between water-resistant and waterproof electric scooters are.
Thus you will no longer be confused and can start thinking about your needs and make the perfect choice accordingly.
E-scooter Rental Businesses Know How to Ride Electric Scooters in Rain - or Do They?
Before we start, I want to tell you one thing about renting an electric scooter in the rain. These businesses don’t care too much about how long these electric scooters remain in good condition.
Let me explain.
You and I want to have our electric scooters in perfect condition for several years – even more. But businesses know that every electric scooter will pay off after only a few months.
And as everybody knows, the show must go on. A little rain can’t stop business from rolling. Also if you ride e-scooter for food delivery, you will ride even if there is rain outside.
However, when ordinary people (like you and me) buy an electric scooter, we want to know how to behave to keep our ride in perfect condition.
And not only for a year or two, we want a smooth ride with minimal breakdowns several years down the road.
How to Ride Electric Scooter in Rain - Water Resistant & Waterproof E-scooters
Learn the difference, and when the time comes, you will know exactly what to choose without asking.
Or even you do need to ask, and you won’t need to make the decision based on someone else’s opinion.
You need to use your head and trust yourself. Don’t listen to just anyone.
Focus on the facts that you know. Here are the facts about this topic that we want to share with you.
Important Info about Water-resistant & Waterproof Electric Scooters - IP Ratings Explained
IP ratings show you the level of water resistance that your electric scooter has.
After IP are two numbers.
The first one indicates how resistant it is when it comes to solid objects (dust, foreign bodies, etc.).
The second one shows how resistant the e-scooter is when it comes to water (moisture, sprinkles).
- protected from solid objects over 1mm
- limited protection from dust
- totally protected from dust
- protected from water splashes from all directions
- protected from low-pressure water jets from any direction
- protected from high-pressure water jets from any direction
- protected from short periods of immersion in water
- it can withstand long periods of immersion in water
Here’re the most common examples you can come across:
- IP 66 – this one is totally protected from dust and high-pressure water jets from any direction
- IP65 – this one is totally protected from dust and low-pressure water jets from any direction
- IP 56 – limited protection from dust, protected from high-pressure water jets from any direction
- IP 55 - limited protection from dust, protected from low-pressure water jets from any direction
- IP 54 - limited protection from dust, protected from water splashes from all directions
Quick Tip
If your scooter is rated 3 or 2…
...you can forget about riding it in wet conditions.
Well-known Water-resistant & Waterproof E-scooters
If you’re confused a bit about these numbers, hang in there.
It is really easy to ask people who want to sell you a scooter. Or you can make an effort to look for these numbers on the box or in the manual.
When you spot these numbers, you’ll know exactly how to behave with your electric scooter in wet conditions.
Even if your electric scooter is water-resistant, you will have to maintain it properly.
Don’t worry, we will share simple tricks to prolong the life of your ride with you.
Here are some well-known electric scooters:
As you can see, price is not something you can rely on when it comes to determining if a certain electric scooter is waterproof or not.
You may pay a lot of money for only a resistant one.
So, pay attention when you’re choosing your next ride.
3 Most Common Fears after an Electric Scooter Gets Wet
Some people like to ride in the rain. Others might be caught in the middle of a storm.
Either way, here’re the three most common fears people have.
What If You Get an Electric Shock?
I wouldn’t worry too much about this. Grips and the standing deck are made of rubber, and you have shoes.
Even if an enormous amount of water gets into the battery case and your electric scooter is not waterproof, you won’t get shocked. It will only stop working in the worst-case scenario.
That brings us to the next fear.
What If the Electric Scooter Dies While Riding?
It can totally break down if the rain is extreme and you drive your scooter through big puddles and if your e-scooter doesn’t have IP ratings that can withstand wet conditions.
You’ve learned all about IP ratings above, and now you know what to expect depending on which electric scooter you have.
What If the Front Tire Slips?
Wheels are tiny, and if you don’t have treads on your tires (or if your tire is worn out) on a wet road, that might be an issue.
However, we are all more careful when it comes to riding on pavement and over metal manhole covers on the streets when it is raining.
And the truth is that you won’t fall when you try to corner with your e-scooter in the rain.
Yes, you need to be more careful, but you’ll get the hang of it quickly, and you will be able to ride without stress after a few minutes.
There is a bit of a learning curve, and you won’t be as relaxed as when you’re riding in perfect conditions.
Those are the facts you need to understand whether you have best waterproof electric scooter or not.
If You Don't Know How to Ride Your Electric Scooter in Rain
A smooth and dry surface is ideal if you want your e-scooter to last forever.
Areas without moisture are also great.
Also, that is not always realistic. In some areas, it is impossible to avoid these scenarios.
- you will hit that puddle
- you will get caught in the rain, or
- moisture will creep in your battery case
Here are some problems that you need to be prepared for.
Internal Problems
These are the problems that are not visible at first sight. And because of that, you have to be careful.
Even if your electric scooter is water-resistant, remember, water, and moisture are not your friends, especially if you want to use your e-scooter for many years with minimal problems.
From time to time, you want to check on these things:
- Corrosion on wires
- Corrosion in the battery case
- Corrosion on batteries
For this, you will need some tools and basic DIY electric scooter skills.
Corrosion will drain the power out of your battery, and it will shorten battery life.
Often, you will hear people talking about how an electric scooter won't start after rain, but they miss these steps.
You want to be sure that if there is any corrosion that you to visit a workshop.
And in extreme cases, you’ll need to change these parts if there is too much corrosion.
External Problems with Waterproof Electric Scooters
These are the problems that you can spot right away.
As soon as you take a look at your or someone else’s electric scooter, you can see these problems.
Now and then, do a quick inspection for:
- Corrosion on frame
- Corrosion on disc brakes
- Moisture in lights
Not only can you find dampness in lights, but you can see even a little bit of water on the inside.
You can easily spot these issues, so don’t neglect these signs.
If you see some corrosion on these parts, it’s a matter of the time before your perfectly functioning electric scooter becomes a piece of trash.
4 Voltage Rider Reasons for Avoiding the Rain
We’re here to help you ride your electric scooter in the rain. The thing is that riding in the rain is possible. Sometimes it is even fun and, in some cases, necessary.
However, sometimes it can be dangerous and utterly impractical. Because of that, we have this section for you.
Here’re some good reasons to avoid riding an electric scooter in rainy conditions.
Reason #1 - Dangerously Poor Visibility
I know that this will seem funny. But this is not directly your problem. Even if there is some rain, you’ll see where you’re going. Don’t forget, you’re not going 60 mph and those raindrops are not a big deal.
However, others on the road have greater difficulty observing entire traffic. That is because they have watermarks on their windows.
Don’t forget that, often, you can see car windows fogging up in the rain. And that is extremely dangerous.
You need strong lights on your electric scooter if you want to be safe in conditions like this.
And one more thing. A lot of drivers are extremely anxious about driving in the rain. That’s just a fact.
The thing is that you will be less visible to other people in traffic. And don’t forget that all of them are protected in their boxes and you’re not.
Reason #2 - Emergency Situation Response
You have to admit; there is something special in hitting your brakes as hard as you can. It doesn’t matter if you’re doing that in your car, bike or electric scooter, especially if you do it for fun and not because you’re trying to avoid hitting some prick that tries “something smart” in front of you.
Now, when it comes to sudden braking situations in the rain, you can say goodbye to that. If you don’t have ABS (anti-lock breaking system) and you hit your brakes hard (like on dry surface), you will fall immediately.
You need to know that your stopping distance is significantly longer. And stability when you’re trying to stop suddenly is technically possible, but very hard to pull off in reality.
Reason #3 - Making a Mess
After your rainy ride, be sure to avoid coffee shops, markets and stores. The main reason is that you will make a mess.
Even if you take a few minutes to clean and dry your electric scooter, there will be few drops here and there.
The point is clear: You will be the main attraction if you carry your wet e-scooter and leave traces of water and dirt, and you don’t want to do that. Be thoughtful.
Reason #4 - It’s Not for Clumsy People
Riding an electric scooter in an urban area is not a drama-free experience. After a few minutes of riding, you’ll notice that potential danger is everywhere. You need to be careful and expect anything.
Even if you’re careful and slow, someone can jump in front of you easily. In that case, you need to act fast, brake, and in some situations, you need to jump off your electric scooter.
Also, manhole covers, potholes and speedbumps can be pretty unpleasant. You need to have good reflexes and be alert all the time. Riding an electric scooter is for a skilled person who is ready to act in a split of the second.
Tips on How to Ride Your Electric Scooter in Rain
Most common mistake - electric scooter left out in the rain
It doesn’t matter if you’re caught in the rain, or you choose to go outside when it is raining, if you want to ride electric scooter while raining, this is what you need to do.
Buy High-quality Electric Scooter
If you buy a cheap electric scooter and leave it out in the rain, you will see lots of rust in a short time.
The best electric scooter for the rain is the one that is expensive and waterproof, not water-resistant.
You need the best waterproof electric scooter if you’re ready to ride your electric scooter in bad weather.
Are Fenders a Must?
If you want to ride your electric scooter while it is raining, you need fenders.
Most manufacturers add these, but if you don’t have one, get one. You don’t want to end up dirty.
If it’s raining outside, you will get wet, but if you don’t have fenders, all the dirt from the road will end up on your legs and back.
Avoid Freezing Rain
Riding an electric scooter in rain is okay if you have a proper machine and you’re dressed accordingly. But if it is freezing outside and rain will hurt your fingers, it’s time to give up.
Also, it is not good for battery and components, either. However, you might be an extreme electric scooter rider and, in that case, read our blog post dedicated to those who want to ride their electric scooter in the winter.
Make Yourself More Visible
Obviously you need a raincoat or waterproof jacket to ride your electric scooter. Besides that, you need one that is high-visibility.
Traffic in urban areas is a mess, especially when it’s raining, so you need to make yourself visible enough.
That’s the only way to stay safe. Avoid buying dark (gray, black) raincoats and jackets.
Correct Tire Pressure
You know that correct high tire pressure is essential if you want reasonable range.
However, in this case (when it’s raining), you need to choose slightly lower tire pressure. Lower tire pressure on wet surfaces does help.
When you decrease the tire pressure, you increase the contact area between tire and road.
That way, you will get better grip and you will be safer when cornering. Also, the possibility of slipping will be reduced.
Pro tip: When it stops raining and the surface is not wet, don’t forget to increase your tire pressure.
Use Dielectric Grease
That is silicon-based grease that repels moisture and protects electrical connections when it’s raining. It will prevent corrosion and dirt from getting into electrical connections.
It doesn't matter if you have the best waterproof electric scooter or not, if you do not pay attention to this, you will reduce the lifespan of your scooter.
The golden rule is not overdoing it when it comes to using dielectric grease.
Go Slower
It’s not just that you need to go slower, but you also need to avoid making sharp turns when riding.
Also, I always accelerate like crazy, but when it’s wet outside, that is not an option. Going slower, you will have more time to react if needed and you won’t slip off like some amateur.
Don’t listen people who say to ride slower scooters. I like fast scooters, I just needed to learn how to control my throttle.
After few nasty falls, I learned pretty fast.
Avoid These
Avoid slippery surfaces that are painted like crosswalks, lines and slippery metal manhole covers or slippery railways.
When it’s raining, these might end up being fatal to you. Watch where you ride, keep your eyes on the road.
And then there’s still speed. When you go slower, you have enough time to react and be safe.
Things to Do after Every Ride
You need to clean and dry your electric scooter after every ride. If you have some technical questions, here’s where you can learn a lot – how to maintain an electric scooter.
Your electric scooter won't start after rain? Here's what you need to do.
You need to get your e-scooter inside. Find a place that is dry and warm, then try again.
There is nothing worse than an electric scooter left out in rain. If you do that, you’re going to notice corrosion a few days later and might not be able to start your little friend.
Equipment for Riding Electric Scooter in Rain - Xiaomi M365 Rain Gear
Get ready for riding an electric scooter in rain
The right way to ride an e-scooter in rain is to protect yourself and your electric scooter.
Check out all about Xiaomi Mijia m365!
Here’re some things you need to have if you’re planning to ride in rain:
These are the things that can make your ride more comfortable and less dangerous. Check out our in-depth post about electric scooter accessories and choose the best accessory for your e-scooter today.
And that is all you need if you’re in traffic in the middle of the rain.
You can also get e-scooter rain cover.
Waterproof & Water-resistant Electric Scooters - Our Top Picks
If you failed to learn IP ratings from the beginning of this post, here is a shortcut for you.
You’ve learned that electric scooters can be used in the rain.
And here are the best options when it comes to waterproof and water-resistant e-scooters.
Best WATERPROOF electric scooters:
For EMOVE Cruiser - Use Coupon code voltagerider7 for 7% Off
Best WATER-RESISTANT electric scooters:
- Xiaomi Mijia m365
- Unagi
- Ninebot
You’ll notice that there is a significant price difference between waterproof and water-resistant ones. That is because the cost of production when it comes to waterproof e-scooters is higher.
These are premium electric scooters, and you can be confident that these are immune to water and dust. And if you want to ride without fear of rain, you need to pay a higher price.
Also, there is a less expensive alternative, and that is a water-resistant electric scooter that you can ride in wet conditions, but you need to avoid heavy rain and deep puddles.
Check out these expensive electric scooters and take a look at IP ratings to see if these are ready for rain or not.
FAQs about Riding an Electric Scooter in Rain
Can you ride a scooter in the rain?
Of course you can, just need to pay attention to IP ratings. Those show you the level of resistance to water that your electric scooter has.
Can you ride a Razor electric scooter in the rain?
We suggest not riding these in rain. Razor electric scooters are not fully protected from the rain.
Are Bird scooters waterproof?
No. These scooters are water-resistant. Not waterproof. Learn the difference in this post. Go through the entire post and you will learn the difference most people don't know that.
Can you ride a Segway Ninebot in the rain?
Even though these are water-resistant electric scooters, we suggest not riding these in the rain. That's because these are not waterproof.
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Final Thoughts
There are only two options for you if you want to ride an electric scooter in rain — buy a cheap electric scooter and only ride in wet conditions, avoiding heavy rain and puddles, or purchase expensive options and ride without overthinking.
One thing is sure, manufacturers will continue making waterproof electric scooters in the future because people want to have all-weather electric scooters. I don’t know about you, but I won’t stop riding in the sun, rain or snow.
And I bet that is the case for some of you as well. That is why these will be less expensive in the future and affordable for most people.
Enjoy and be safe!
