How To Ride A Kick Scooter For The First Time?

Have you ever seen someone riding a kick scooter and thought, “That looks like so much fun! I wish I could do that.” Well, good news! Riding a kick scooter is very easy, and anyone can learn how with a little practice.

If you’re new to kick scooters or have never ridden one before, this guide will teach you everything you need to know about how to ride a kick scooter. We’ll go over every basic, from choosing the right scooter and putting on your safety gear to taking your first steps to stop and perform the trick.

By the end of this guide, you’ll learn how to be a pro kick scooter rider in no time!

Let’s get started.

How To Ride A Kick Scooter For The First Time

Kick scooters are a great way to get around. They’re easy to use, fun, and can actually be quite fast once you get the hang of them.

However, with a step by step guide, you can master this skill in less time. So let’s get into it:

Choose The Right Kick Scooter

Not all kick scooters are created equal. There are actually quite a few different types of kick scooters out there, and each one is designed for a specific purpose.

For example, there are kick scooters for stunt riding and tricks, kick scooter for commuting, and even electric kick scooters that can reach speeds of up to 20 mph!

So before you even start thinking about how to ride a kick scooter, you must first figure out what type of scooter is right for you.

No worries, we’ve previously made a guide on how to choose a kick scooter which you can check out.

Once you’ve chosen the right scooter, it’s time to get geared up.

Kick Scooter Safety Gear

Before you start riding, you must ensure that you’re properly protected. That means wearing the proper safety gear, such as a helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads.

Wearing safety gear may not seem like the most fun thing in the world, but trust us, it’s worth it. After all, you would rather be safe than sorry if you happen to take a spill.

Practice Area

Now that you have your kick scooter and safety gear, it’s time to find an excellent spot to practice.

A smooth, flat surface like a driveway or sidewalk is ideal. Avoid grass or dirt, as these can be uneven and make it more challenging to balance.

As you’re a beginner, it’s best not to ride in high traffic areas. Once you get more confident on your scooter, you can move to busier areas. But for now, it’s best to stick to areas where there aren’t a lot of people or obstacles. Such as an empty parking lot or a quiet street.

Learn To Stand Up

The first thing you need to do is learn how to stand up on your scooter. This may seem easy, but it’s actually the most important part of riding a kick scooter.

If you can’t stand up correctly, you’ll never be able to ride the scooter. So take your time and practice this step until you feel comfortable.

To stand up on your scooter, start by placing one foot on the deck in the middle of the scooter. Then, put your other foot on the front wheel and start to straighten your legs.

As you straighten your legs, your weight will shift forward, and the scooter will start to balance itself. Keep practicing this until you can stand up on the scooter without wobbling.

Also, note that once you start riding the scooter, your weight should be evenly distributed between both feet, and you should bend your knees slightly for better control. Also read how to balance on a scooter for more on this.

Pushing Off

Now that you learn to stand on a scooter, it’s time to learn how to push off. This is actually pretty easy, and once you get the hang of it, you’ll be riding in no time.

To push off, simply place one foot on the scooter deck and one foot on the ground. Then, push off with your foot on the ground and glide forward.

As you’re pushing off, make sure to keep your weight over the center of the scooter. This will help keep your balance and prevent the scooter from tipping.

Also, don’t push too hard at first. You want to start off slow and gradually increase your speed as you get more comfortable.

Turning

Now that you know how to push off and ride straight, it’s time to learn how to turn. Turning is pretty easy, and you can do it in two different ways.

The first way is to simply lean your body in the direction you want to turn. For example, lean your body to the left if you turn left. This will cause the scooter to turn in that direction.

The second way to turn is by using the handlebars. To turn left, simply push the left handlebar forward. To turn right, push the right handlebar forward.

Remember, when you’re turning, it’s essential to keep your weight over the center of the scooter. You’ll lose your balance and fall over if you lean too far to one side.

Also, don’t turn too sharply at first. Start off with gentle turns and gradually turn sharper as you get more comfortable.

Switch Kicking

If you want to go far distances on your scooter, you will need to learn how to switch kicks. This is a bit more advanced than the other techniques, but it’s not too difficult once you get the hang of it.

Switch kicking is when you alternate your feet while kicking the ground. So, you’ll push off with one foot, then switch to the other foot and push off again.

You want to keep a good rhythm while switching kicking and make sure to push off hard with each kick. This will help you maintain your speed and travel further distances.

Learn To Stop

Last but not least, you need to learn how to stop scooter. There are two different ways you can do this, and it really depends on your personal preference.

The first way is to step off the scooter simply. To do this, slow down and then place one foot on the ground. This will cause the scooter to stop, and you can then step off. However, also note that this method works only for low speeds.

The second way to stop is by using the handbrake or rear fender wheel brake. To use the handbrake, simply squeeze the handbrake lever, and this will cause the rear wheel to brake.

To use the rear fender brake, simply step on the rear fender with your foot, which will cause the scooter to stop.

Remember, it’s important to practice both methods of stopping and find the one that works best for you.

If you want your kids to start riding kick scooters you can prefer our guide on how to teach a child to ride a scooter.

Conclusion On How To Ride A Kick Scooter

And that’s it! These are all the basics you need to know to ride a kick scooter. Just remember to start slow and gradually increase your speed as you get more comfortable.

If you focus on these basics and practice regularly, you’ll ride like a pro in no time. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start scooting!