Does Anyone Commute to Work on an Electric Bicycle/Unicycle/Scooter?

How do you find the commute, have you had any problems and is it legal in your area?

Comments

  • +2

    I commute to work on an electric scooter… It's legal because it is registered… But I am guessing you mean electric kick scooter (Ninebot, Segway, Xiaomi, etc).

    • Hey,
      I'm interested in getting a scooter soon for travel to work (live close to CBD, 10 mins travel on tram road to work using a car). I've had a motorbike before so I know that petrol and maintenance is very cheap compared to a car. Are there any advantages to getting an electric scooter over a normal petrol one? Keen to hear about your experiences.

      • +2

        I like the electric scooter. It’s just sit on, turn the key and twist the throttle.

        I can take the battery out and charge it anywhere. It’s great that I can just get on it and ride. I don’t have to stop at the fuel station and it takes up almost no space. Super easy to park and quiet to leave the house on my 5.30am starts. No oil to leak, no fuel to stink, no need to warm it up.

        Rego costs are around $200 including greenslip and charging it costs a few pennies overnight or nothing if I charge it using solar during the day at home.

        Downsides, it only does 55km/h. Great if you live in 50 zones all the way to work. Not much chop if you live in 60+km/h commute or live in an area with hills. Range on its highest power setting on flat roads and at max throttle is about 30km. Not an issue because charging it is so easy each day. Only problem with charging is it takes 8 hours if it is dead flat. There is no fast charge option.

        The only thing I would do differently next time is buy something a little more powerful. I really like the Fonazarelli Arthur 3. It does 80km/h and has a much longer range (up to 100km) and regen. It also costs about the same as an equivalent sized scooter.

  • +2

    I have a Ninebot Max and use it everyday to get to work. Parking is a nightmare around where I work so I fold my scooter up, put it in the backseat of my car and park my car in free parking a few kms away from my work. Then I just use it to take me the extra distance, there is even a charging station for e-bikes/scooters. And yes it is legal here.

    • And yes it is legal here.

      Here being Wollongong? In NSW ? I would like to see the legislation that allows electric kick scooters in NSW.

      NSW Road Rule 240 (2)(c)

      240 Wheeled recreational devices and toys not to be used on certain roads
      (2) A person must not travel in or on a wheeled recreational device—
      (a) on a road that is declared, under another law of this jurisdiction, to be a road on which wheeled recreational devices are prohibited, or
      (b) on a road at night, or
      (c) on a road at any time while any person travelling in or on the device is wholly or partly assisted in propelling the device by means other than human power.

      NSW abandons electric scooter trial because minister ‘not in the mood’

      • +2

        Old location.
        Here being ACT.

        • +1

          Oh ok. ACT is a lot more progressive than NSW, the nanny state.

    • I do the same in Brisbane, electric scooters are legal in Qld.
      My Ninebot E45 folds up small enough to store under my desk.
      One downside is they aren't meant to be ridden in the rain, so if it's raining when you need to get home you might need an alternative means of travel.

      • I have ridden it in the rain before, the Ninebot Max is IPX5 (which can handle a low pressure water jet from all directions) and it is also IPX7 to its core components.

        In saying that, I have taken mine on the bus before because it isn't ideal in the rain. On polished walkways in the rain it can be hella slippery.

  • +1

    I have a Ninebot ES4 that I ride to work in Brisbane. I ride along Veloway 1 and it’s about 9km. My battery lasts both ways, but I top it up at work (we have free charging spots for eBikes and scooters), as the top speed is reduced the further the battery depletes. Only problem is I won’t ride in the rain, as grip from solid tyres is poor and cornering tends to slide out. I also have a Super Soco TC electric motorcycle for longer distances or riding when it’s raining. Both are solutions to avoid paying the $27 ‘early bird’ daily parking rate in the city.

    • Wow, $27/day is ridiculous!

  • +1

    Xiaomi m365 pro. 15km one way to work battery drops too around 45% (normally only 60% but I upgraded to 10 inch tyres recently)….. charge it at work and 15km back. Average speed around 24kmph… 45 minutes each way . Loads of fun and better than standing on the train with a face mask

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