Electric scooters have become very popular with young and old alike for sightseeing and enjoyment. Many metropolitan areas, such as New York City, have electric scooter rental providers for residents and visitors to zip up and down the city streets.
With rental services, riding a scooter through Central Park is a great way to soak up all tourist sites. However, many riders wonder can you ride an electric scooter in the rain? The answer is – it depends on two factors: how strong is the rain and whether the scooter is water-resistant.
Are Electric Scooters Waterproof?
Electric scooter manufacturers have studied electric scooters in the rain and other inclement weather to discover their effectiveness. If you examine electric scooters, you’ll see that most have an Ip rating, which is a water resistance rating.
For example, an IPX5 rating in the Segway scooter we use means that the scooter is safe to ride in light rain without permanently damaging the machine. However, even scooters with an official water resistance rating can withstand light rain without malfunctioning.
Complete submersion in the water can damage or destroy a scooter, but as long as you are just riding the scooter through the rain, you will be perfectly safe, and the machine will continue to function when riding in wet weather.
Look for the electric scooter’s IP rating on the machine. If you opt to ride an e-scooter in the rain, remember that the wet conditions will impact the scooter’s braking distance because the tires won’t have as effective a grip on the pavement. The scooters tires can easily hydroplane in wet conditions. When considering whether electric scooters get wet, view the IP rating.
Standard IP ratings:
- None: It may have water resistance, but there is no guarantee, so avoid riding the scooter in the rain.
- IPX4: Rides well on wet ground or in the fog. Can tolerate light or infrequent rain.
- IPX5: Rides well in light rain or through puddles.
- IP34: Tolerates wet round, fog, mist, rain, and dusty conditions.
- IP54: Light reight, damp ground, condensation, moisture, and off-road conditions.
- IP55: Constant rain, off-roading, and puddles.
- IP65: Constant rain, wet weather, and all-terrain tough.
- IP67: Heavy, constant rain with some water immersion. This is a rating for a scooter with an excellent water-resistant electric scooter.
What Happens When You Ride a Low IP rating Scooter in the Rain?
Yes, you can ride electric scooters in the light rain because most are somewhat water-resistant and splash-resistant but not completely waterproof. If you ride the scooter through extreme conditions or submerge it, then the scooter will be rendered inoperable. It will not electrocute you, but it will stop operating. The damage done to the scooter from excessive water is usually permanent, and the scooter will not work again. Since electric scooters were allowed in Central Park this question is one of the most popular – whether you can’t ride in the rain or not.
Can you Drive a High IP Electric Scooter Through Water?
The engines of a high IP electric scooter are protected in casings which helps render them somewhat waterproof, but the batteries are not. If you ride the scooter for an extended time in the rain or overly wet conditions, the battery will start to discharge rapidly and fail. You might be left stranded. Also, the battery may not recover from the exposure to the rain and will no longer hold a charge.
Remember, water-resistant electric scooters might tolerate excessive moisture, but the battery won’t stand up to the exposure. Leaving a scooter in rain is never a good idea. You should always park it in a covered area for protection or cover it with a tarp. Even a rainproof electric scooter can sustain damage if left outdoors in inclement weather.
Why We Choose Segway
Central Park is one of New York City’s crowning jewels and a must-visit. However, it is enormous, spanning 843 acres. You’ll encounter sweeping lawns, meandering streams, lakes, and woodlands. Throughout the NYC park are winding paths that are excellent for riding a Segway scooter.
You can even take a guided tour of Central Park on a Segway if you don’t want to ride the park alone! When riding Segway, you should be up to 300 pounds (including additional backpacks, etc), but the weight is just a recommendation. Most Segway guides report that they have had riders who weigh only 60 pounds and others who weigh over 360 pounds with no issues. Riders must be 16 years old or older to ride in New York state.
The Segway is wonderfully easy to ride with self-balancing features for added stability. You can quickly zip down the pathways of Central Park. Fancy Apple rents scooters to enjoy Central Park, or you can enjoy one of their guided tours.
Benefits of Fancy Apple scooter rentals:
- We are conveniently located right next to the park.
- Our scooters feature long-lasting batteries, pneumatic tires for optimum shock absorption, LED lights, rear disc brakes, back fender brake, and front e-brake for safety. The scooters are built of light aluminum for easy maneuverability.
- Make an easy reservation online.
With Fancy Apple scooters, you’ll enjoy the freedom to zip around the park without missing a beat. See all the sights and enjoy the lovely weather with ease.
Types of Weather To Avoid Riding Electric Scooter
NYC is known for its fickle weather. One minute the sky might be sunny and then an afternoon thunderstorm moves in. In the spring and fall, freezing rain is often a chilling occurrence. Fog can also roll in and reduce visibility. If you are depending on an electric scooter to get you from place to place then you’ll want to ensure that the scooter can handle the task. If you are worried about a malfunction or the weather becoming too severe then you’ll want to arrange another mode of transportation.
Heavy Rain
Yes, you can ride an electric scooter in diverse weather conditions, but you should avoid heavy rain, rendering the battery useless. Also, heavy rain can make stopping difficult because the scooter’s brakes get wet, and the tires can easily hydroplane across puddles. If you have to ride in the rain, then take things slow and easy for safety.
Freezing Rain
Even a rain proof electric scooter should not be ridden in freezing rain. When the rain freezes, it forms patches of black ice, which become incredibly slippery. The scooter can easily slide and not stop across the surface of the ice, which makes riding conditions very unsafe and dangerous.
Low Visibility
Fog is expected in Central Park and can make visibility almost null. You should not be zipping along on an electric scooter if you cannot see where you are going. Most manufacturers and Fancy Apple scooter rentals recommend riding only when visibility is good.
Riding Electric Scooter in a Rain Tips
If you ride an electric scooter in the rain, then you should take safety precautions.
- Always wear proper clothing that will not get caught in the scooter’s wheels or fly out behind you, causing an obstruction. Ideally, you should wear long pants and a long sleeve shirt to provide more protection if you crash. Avoid riding if you wear a dress or a long coat that can get caught in the scooter.
- Wear a helmet. Most electric scooter rental companies such as Fancy Apple provide riders with helmets along with the scooter.
- Choose paths carefully to make sure they are paved well, safe, and well-maintained without obstructions.
- Remain focused and drive slow in the rain to avoid accidents. Remember, visibility is reduced in the rain, so maintaining a slow pace will avoid possible accidents.
- Cover the waterproof electric scooters when you park them to avoid the scooter from getting overly wet. A Scooter left out in the rain can suffer water damage to the battery.
Riding an electric scooter in light rain on a warm day is an enjoyable experience as long as you take the necessary safety steps.