Many believe that scootering is much more difficult than riding a bike or running. But it can be quite easy using the right technique.
Below you will find a few simple suggestions that will help you enjoy your scooter to the max.
CORRECT POSTURE
Relaxing will save you lots of energy. When scootering, you should be comfortable, slightly leaning forward with one foot on the deck (the entire sole of your foot should be planted on it!). Firmly but calmly, grasp the handlebar and do not lean too much on your arms to avoid getting unnecessarily tired.
CORRECT THRUST
The length and frequency of thrusts depends on what you expect from the scooter. You should use different thrusts if you want to travel long distances or beat speed records. The technique changes if you are climbing, descending or on a straight.
The basic method corresponds to straights where you can save energy and go a long distance without having to take public transport with the scooter under your arm.
Straighten the thrusting leg towards the front wheel. Touch the ground with the front part of the sole and make relaxed, flexible thrusts. The handlebar should also be gripped in a relaxed manner, without putting too much pressure on the elbows. Do not thrust too frequently and, after finishing each thrust, return the leg toward the rear wheel. This way you can enjoy the entire route freewheeling.
LEARN HOW TO ALTERNATE YOUR LEGS
The most common beginner error is using just one leg. This habit provokes unilateral fatigue and tends to tire the whole body quickly. After a short period of use, you will realise that the supporting leg on the deck will start to hurt, as if you had jumped on it during the entire route, even if, apparently, it has not moved.
There are two different techniques for alternating your legs. Choose the one you like most and do not forget to regularly alternate your legs. To use your legs equally, you can also count the individual thrusts. In any case, we recommend you change legs every five thrusts on straights. You should try out what you prefer most.
While alternating legs may seem a little clumsy at first, learn it before really using the scooter, Then, when you’re riding, try not to focus on your legs but on the road in front of you.
ALTERNATING LEGS BY “TWISTING”
Twisting, that is, turning the soles of your feet, is a simple technique suitable for beginners. As one leg always supports you on the deck, even less-skilled riders can do it without risk of falling.
When changing legs, the toe of the supporting foot must be turned outwards and is then replaced by the toe of the other foot. While the supporting leg is moving away from the deck, the other occupies the deck with the entire sole. The same procedure can be used by turning the heel of the supporting leg outwards, with the other leg replacing the previous heel.
ALTERNATING LEGS BY “JUMPING”
As the name suggests, this technique involves alternating legs with a little sideways jump. It’s a more difficult technique to master, but once you’ve learnt it, it is more effective because it does not interrupt your thrust cadence. The leg change occurs immediately after the thrust. The thrusting leg jumps on the deck immediately after the thrust while the other supporting leg jumps away from the deck. This technique is difficult to describe, but everyone learns it after a few tries.
FAST METHOD
If you want to reach high speeds on long distance stretches, make longer, more energetic thrusts. Put the front thrusting leg as high as possible and, making the thrust, use all the strength you can. The longer the thrust, the higher the speed. Short and extremely frequent thrusts can be useful for breaking speed records but will tire you immediately.
UPHILL METHOD
Scootering uphill is quite challenging. On the other hand, it really helps you get in shape. 🙂 To be able to scooter uphill, we recommend you use short, continuous and frequent thrusts. Alternate your legs more often, even after just three thrusts. Straighten your thrusting leg by putting it in front of the supporting leg (about a foot’s distance) and end the thrust behind the supporting leg (about the same distance). Save energy and do not put too much energy into thrusts, otherwise, you will become tired very quickly.
DOWNHILL METHOD
It is comfortable to descend short stretches in the basic body position, i.e., with one leg on the deck and the other free leg next to the first, possibly resting on the edge of the deck. You can start to make thrusts straightaway in this position, if necessary.
In the case of longer stretches, it is better to stand with both legs diagonally next to each other parallel to the direction you’re travelling in, as if you were on a snowboard. This way you can relax and have more fun!
Grip the handlebar firmly with fingers ready to pull the brake levers as if it were a bicycle. If you want to improve your aerodynamics, then jump back and lean your body slightly forwards.
These techniques may appear difficult, but don’t be scared to try them. You will soon see that you will go further using the same amount of energy and be able to enjoy your scooter to the max!
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3 comments
Join the conversationron - October 14, 2022
I broke my foot so bought a scooter to ģet around, where I could rest that foot on the scooter so I don’t have to limp when walking. Scooting also gets me around faster than limp walking. I can stand on that foot for a few mins only so have to get off scooter every few mins, but in that time I’d have covered a good distance.
After limping for a few mins, I’m back on scooter, so don’t have to worry about swapping feet.
One technique I picked for extra boost is lean forward when pushing with the good foot, while pushing handle bars forward for max. acceleration. Then after the kick, I throw my foot forward and hold it just before fully extended, then retract it a little, as if pulling an invisible rock. At the same time, I press the scooter foot’s toe forward as if falling backwards. This gets me to lean backwards a bit, without getting off balance and falling back. The effect of this is scooter gets slipped forwards, giving double boost.
A caution about this technique is to keep holding handle bars with both hands to stop falling backwards. If a roll is coming up, then straighten up slowly AFTER rolling begins, else scooter will get pulled back due to momentum conservation and speed will reduce in proportion to your mass.
Eliana Ruby - August 21, 2021
That’s right, I have a folding scooter, which folds up in an instant. I haven’t tried other models, but I’ve seen that you sell pretty serious large-wheeled models on your site. I’ve only tried my friends’ scooters, but those are also foldable scooters that you can take on public transport, with 20- to 25-cm diameter (7- to 8-inch) wheels.
Shirley Batten-Smith - April 10, 2021
Very helpful thank you. I went out on my new Osprey scooter and had to get off 5 times I was so out of breath – but I was using the same leg all the time. I got more relaxed and confident on my return journey but will practice the foot change because it makes perfect sense. This is definitely a better way to get fit than cycling! I was exhausted after a really short run that never affected me in the same way riding my bike.