Yet another beginner safety question

[Bakkegaarden]

I'm new to EUC, in fact not yet owning one. I have a Ninebot Mini Pro that I've been using for some month but really are intrigued to get a EUC and learn this skill as well. 

I'm 46 years old and have been running motor cycle for 20 years. Always with the risk of accidents(even fatal) in my mind, but I'm a cruiser and do not ride for speed. So always been able to argue for my self that I have a big impact of the risk management by being aware, keep speed within reasonable range and proper maintenance of bike. So far, never a single accident. (touch woods)

Now with EUC I guess similar applies in terms of speed, be aware etc. But the maintenance and technical malfunctions puzzles my brain. I fell that I have little to none impact of these, and have a hard time to settle with my self how high the risk of this is. 

Secondly. You also tend to see what you are looking for. So when I try to search for safety, accidents, fails I get a lot of scary stories and pictures.

Now: Can I ask. Are there experienced EUC riders out there, that never had accidents?

  

[Funky]

Hello there.

Worst case i think would be high speed cutout - where wheel just stops working and you go flying on ground.

You can't "run out" of it.. Wheel simply stops balancing and drops dead. In my case ~300km ridden. All my "accidents" have been at walking speeds.. Not enough of lean going over a curb and wheel don't get enough power - it simply stops and drops sideways. Same time i simply step forwards, because of said lean.

Or to fast mount off.. Same thing, wheel simply drops sideways.

There is always that dark feeling back of mind. That euc batteries could catch on fire, burning down my house - very rare, but still could happen.

In euc only moving parts are "bearings".

Of course batteries, motor, motherboard could die.. And if that happens while riding - Good Luck, say hello to ground.

Once a year, if you feel like, you could open the wheel.. And expect wire connections, soldering connections, what not.. But other than that, euc are zero maintenance. (If you don't count fixing flat tire, bearing change.)

If you don't ride like crazy.. You watch out what's in front of you.. Slow down at blind stops. - Only thing that could go wrong would be faulty euc, where it simply stops working.. But that happening suddenly are very rare. But still nothing in world are 100% safe.. Going to store you could be mowed down by drunk driver. Possibilities are endless.

If you wanna feel better about it, my 55 old are riding his ks16s daily to work. Whole trip is around ~6km(3.5miles). Be snowing, raining, storm with ZERO protection gear. Has done around ~3000km(1860miles). Aside from "learning" falls, he has had zero accidents. (Knock On Wood - for future zero accidents)  

Same here, i at work days only use wrist guards.. Small trips and going true people, you can't really "speed up". For fun rides, i take my full face helmet, wrist/knee guards. And are going 30-35kph(18-22mph). But those speed only on flat, smooth ground. Also not a speed demon..

Edited April 19, 2022 by Funky

[mrelwood]

This was discussed in the topic that was titled something like “EUC riding seems/is/looks dangerous” or something like that. Several people joined the discussion with their opinions whether one could ride without ever crashing. I believe it to be possible, but in addition to wheel care and very good traffic habits I think that it might need some luck as well.

 After the initial learning period my crashes have all been self inflicted. But I ride protected, so no harm done.

 The most important part of wheel care is to react if anything in the wheel changes. Doesn’t charge up to full, range decreases, makes new sounds etc. And of course replace the tire when the time comes. Replacing bearings is not something that you are expected to do. Unless there’s a design issue or a faulty bearing included, they will outlast the wheel.

 The important parts of the wheel’s safety is in the firmware, and there’s nothing you can do about that but to choose a manufacturer that seems the safest bet to you. None of them have a clear conscience though.

 As @Funky thankfully added at the end, a wheel to suddenly stop working is extremely rare and is always investigated, at least by the safest two of manufacturers, Inmotion and KingSong. Fearing of that to happen is unfruitful, as there’s nothing you can do about it but to choose your wheel’s manufacturer well and to take good care of your wheel.

[Tawpie]

46? You'll be fine, you still heal relatively quickly!

On a more serious note, I know where you're coming from as I'm almost 20 years your senior and don't heal quickly anymore. I've been 3000+ miles in 18 months, and yes, I have crashed once and 'crashed' a million times. My one real crash was at relatively low speed, and thanks to having spent lavishly on gear, I was uninjured. Do invest and wear your gear, you look silly but better than you will with a big cast, no teeth and road rash. I prefer off road trail riding, so I experience a half dozen or more unplanned dismounts (maybe crashes, usually not though) per session. These are all very low speed, even though I do end up on the ground. Gear, gear, gear.

My wheels have been flawless in their operation—operator, not quite as dependable.

So in my experience, if you are always aware of a few of things, you can keep the chance of a serious injury pretty low. The things I keep in mind:

1. I will lose any altercation with a motor vehicle. Badly
2. Each wheel has limits that are not negotiable, respect this
3. It hurts to fall on the ground, and going faster than I can run means I'll probably fall on the ground… speed is a lot of fun, it had better be worth it
4. Knees bent, ride loose
5. A cutout can be avoided (see 2 and 4 above), but when it happens it happens so quickly that there's nothing you can do except rely on your gear. Especially the chin bar on your helmet.
6. Preventive maintenance is an investment… an hour or two every 2-3 months to inspect and tighten is time well spent (things rattle loose, they just do)
7. I am not nearly as good at this as I think I am. Don't push it too far.

In my miles, I had 1 entanglement with the wheel at 0 miles per hour that put me off it for 3 days. This was about 1 week into learning and resulted in the arrival of a lot of armored moto gear. Other than that, a few barked shins is all I have to show.

Get a wheel! You won't be sorry (provided you get quality gear and wear it)

Edited April 19, 2022 by Tawpie

[RockyTop]

I was 48 when I started. That was 4 years ago. I think I’m 42 now. Made 10 years younger. 

[gon2fast]

On 4/17/2022 at 2:33 AM, Bakkegaarden said:

Can I ask. Are there experienced EUC riders out there, that never had accidents?

Nope, but don't let that discourage you!

 

On 4/17/2022 at 2:33 AM, Bakkegaarden said:

So when I try to search for safety, accidents, fails I get a lot of scary stories and pictures.

Keep in mind that "worst case scenerio" situations always get the most hits. If you are not pushing your wheel to its limits, have proper safety gear and take the learning process slowly the mishaps will result in more laughs than cries.

[Hellkitten]

I started riding the end of last October. I’ve clocked over 1700 miles now. This device has transformed the way I travel in my city in a way that I was hoping, but didn’t expect. I turn 50 next month, had many low speed “crashes” nothing scary so far. 🤞🏻Already drooling over getting a more powerful one.      

If you’re a motorcycle rider, love cruising and are already riding a ninebot. I personally think these are safer than a motorbike, but like any device you need to learn their limits. Get yourself a decent wheel and safety gear. Meet up and do some group rides, try some wheels see what’s out there. Have fun....................

join us. 

[.....]

On 4/19/2022 at 11:44 PM, Hellkitten said:

I started riding the end of last October. I’ve clocked over 1700 miles now. This device has transformed the way I travel in my city in a way that I was hoping, but didn’t expect. I turn 50 next month, had many low speed “crashes” nothing scary so far. 🤞🏻Already drooling over getting a more powerful one.      

If you’re a motorcycle rider, love cruising and are already riding a ninebot. I personally think these are safer than a motorbike, but like any device you need to learn their limits. Get yourself a decent wheel and safety gear. Meet up and do some group rides, try some wheels see what’s out there. Have fun....................

join us. 

Safer than a motobike? Surely ye jest!

@Bakkegaarden I've a few miles on a couple euc's. I have fallen off of every last one of them...repeatedly. However, the only injuries I have suffered so far is bruises and some worn muscles. I'd say its comparable to blazing the trails on a bike and coming off it from time to time. I havent hit pavement at speed yet, but i am not so silly as to think it wont happen. Skill helps minimize crashes, but its not gna be a given. Just remember, when we suffer equipment failure on one wheel, we dont simply roll to a stop. The longer I ride, the more likely it becomes, that I will eat pavement. It has a lot to do with gaining comfort and unfounded trust in the devices. JUST when you think you have it figured out, you push it a bit and quickly realize that the gremlins don't care what you think.

Regardless, its a fun hobby. I'd say its about as fun as motorcycles. Of all the hobbies I enjoy (paramotoring, motorcycles, ninebot), I am certain that the euc is the most dangerous of the bunch. Even so.... its been worth it so far. Of course, ask me again once I'm in a hospital bed, facing facial reconstruction surgery on the tax payers dime. Luckily, Im already ugly and aint too worried. DUct tape, superglue, zipties... theyll put humpty back together again...

 

[RockyTop]

I am 52. I have hit the pavement at over 30mph several times. Um?…  Without much protection.  Just a motorcycle helmet. It hurts! Very minimal road rash on shoulders and hips. … None on the hands, go figure. I come from a dirt bike history. “ If you ain’t wrecking, you ain’t riding” You don’t tend to  get the same crash skills on a street bike. A friend of mine 55 years old had back problems that went away after learning to ride an EUC. I think he just needed a stronger core. After several years of riding he was bumped by a truck backing out of a driveway. He twisted and “hit hard”. The fact that it was only a slow crash got to him and now fears high speed crashes. He pretty much gave up his EUC. … And now his back problems are back. 

For me? I have to live before I die. 

[The Brahan Seer]

On 4/17/2022 at 10:33 AM, Bakkegaarden said:

I fell that I have little to none impact of these, and have a hard time to settle with my self how high the risk of this is. 

This is a question I asked myself too at the start. Speaking to friends in IT and from experience most electronics are very robust. Think about how long computers typically last, and even the electronics in cars and bikes etc, Mobile phones 5-10years+ maybe. Of course its a gamble too. You will hear of many people who have wheels that are years old and others with teething problems at the start which are more to do with the design of initial new models rather than durability. This is a great hobby and from my perspective it is safer than a motorcycle. This is because I was able to learn my wheel and develop the skill to ride it in a much safer environment than a bike and to a much higher standard because it is so much fun to do. Having the road-craft from your motorcycle experience will make it safer for you too (53 years old, 1 year: 2300 miles).

[mrelwood]

And here we have two motocross riders with the attitude how one must live before one dies (love you guys…) saying that surely you will eventually crash… 

But… @RockyTop described a situation where the EUC rider had too much trust in car drivers to be vigilant, and @ShanesPlanet mentioned how it’s about getting to comfy and taking things for granted. Both are human behaviors that are not even very hard to avoid.

@The Brahan Seer mentioned the lifetime of computers and mobile phones. But they always end because of software and compatibility, not because of a physical failure. Using an EUC doesn’t degrade it’s software in any way.

This supports my stance that the rider can fail, and other humans can fail, but the wheel itself is a solid piece of gear that is the least of our problems. Fix humans and you have a very safe mode of transport. 

[Robse]

Get a wheel asap  !    and as already mentioned in this thread;  The risk factor is 99,99% human.  Respect the wheel  (dont try to go past its limits... wont work )  , keep aware of your surroundings, gear up^E10  . And remember: All the other road users only have one thing in mind; they will kill you as soon as there is an opportunity for it.    Watch out for pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, dogs, children, (Karens....)     I'm 60, and one of the greatest pleasures is when i meet another person who has never seen an EUC before, and i take of my sunglasses and full face helmet, and that person realizes that i'm not a teenager   that makes me 19 forever again.

[Robse]

On 4/17/2022 at 11:33 AM, Bakkegaarden said:

I'm new to EUC, in fact not yet owning one. I have a Ninebot Mini Pro that I've been using for some month but really are intrigued to get a EUC and learn this skill as well. 

I'm 46 years old and have been running motor cycle for 20 years. Always with the risk of accidents(even fatal) in my mind, but I'm a cruiser and do not ride for speed. So always been able to argue for my self that I have a big impact of the risk management by being aware, keep speed within reasonable range and proper maintenance of bike. So far, never a single accident. (touch woods)

Now with EUC I guess similar applies in terms of speed, be aware etc. But the maintenance and technical malfunctions puzzles my brain. I fell that I have little to none impact of these, and have a hard time to settle with my self how high the risk of this is. 

Secondly. You also tend to see what you are looking for. So when I try to search for safety, accidents, fails I get a lot of scary stories and pictures.

Now: Can I ask. Are there experienced EUC riders out there, that never had accidents?

  

Never had an accident....  ehhhh... just except when I broke my little toe ... because I had to practice driving backwards in the kitchen on a rainy day,  and got to drive one pedal into the stove, with my toe as a bumper

[mrelwood]

2 hours ago, Robse said:

Never had an accident....  ehhhh... just except when I broke my little toe ... because I had to practice driving backwards in the kitchen on a rainy day,  and got to drive one pedal into the stove, with my toe as a bumper

I’m sorry but I just have to ask for a clarification:

 How on earth do you use your toe as a bumper while you reverse??

[Robse]

24 minutes ago, mrelwood said:

I’m sorry but I just have to ask for a clarification:

 How on earth do you use your toe as a bumper while you reverse??

well... erhmnn   the Ninebot one is such a little nifty wheel, you can throw it around - and from 0 to 10 its fast, damn fast! (low weight), and especially, when making fast shifting from going reverse and forward and reverse while holding a gulp and shouting to sqauw: "loook at mee, im good " and then suddenly going from 0 to 10 mph forward and hitting stove with one feet in the air  , thanks to kids for not having this on video... 

[mrelwood]

9 minutes ago, Robse said:

well... erhmnn   the Ninebot one is such a little nifty wheel, you can throw it around - and from 0 to 10 its fast, damn fast! (low weight), and especially, when making fast shifting from going reverse and forward and reverse while holding a gulp and shouting to sqauw: "loook at mee, im good " and then suddenly going from 0 to 10 mph forward and hitting stove with one feet in the air  , thanks to kids for not having this on video... 

Oh… wow…

I’m not into watching people getting hurt per se, but that I’da video Is part to watch. Seriously! Just for the psychology of the events if nothing else. 

[RockyTop]

10 hours ago, mrelwood said:

And here we have two motocross riders with the attitude how one must live before one dies (love you guys…) saying that surely you will eventually crash… 

I will surely crash. You bring up great points tho. 

In life and on EUCs, some people seem to always land on their feet while others always land on their heads. Risk is always there. I would hate to encourage the person that broke their arm on a refrigerator door to pick up EUCs. 

I prefer reverse phycology.  "You are not tough like @Tawpie and @pico. (true respect intended )" ...    Prove me wrong and I am thrilled. Prove me right and I might have saved you a bit of trouble. I think it is a good thing that people have to believe in themselves to succeed in riding an EUC. I see it as a right of passage and an acceptance of ones own risk.    

My daughter has about 2,000 miles in without a crash. ..only a few step offs. no ground hitting.  It kinda scares me. 

[Mike Sacristan]

I consider electric unicycles to be very safe and very low maintenance. I like riding fast so I prefer fast wheels with big batteries.
My Nikola Plus 2664Wh is somewhat dangerous to me as I am often at it's limits. The EXN HS less so.
My Nikola failed me once with me on it... the motherboard died and I went down at around 32kmh. Just a nice slide and all was good except I had PTSD for almost a month. After that I was back to riding like an idiot again.

I normally stick to my skill level with some slight pushing of my comfort zone. If I am testing limits I will plan accordingly.

I am more a danger to others than I am to myself.

When it comes to riding on the streets I follow the motorcycles mentality. Aware of my surroundings, invisible, etc. I do not ride in the gutter or off to the side of the street so that cars can graze past me... and usually I will keep speed with them or leave them far behind me. If I do 60kmh on a 30kmh road here in the suburbs I choose the right time. If I am on a 50kmh road technically a car can do 67kmh without losing their drivers license so it happens quite frequently. The EXN HS can keep pace. When it comes to the 70kmh roads I am screwed though.

On bike paths I act like a fast bike and I expect pedestrians to stick to their side of the path. I won't play chicken with them but I won't bend over backwards for them either.  Bike lanes I prefer to avoid and stick to the road instead. Cars are more predictable than cyclist and pedestrians since cars have rules and laws they actually follow.

I'm 48... have taken some falls most of which were technical error or user error from my side. Slipping out on mud past midnight after a downpour. 100% my fault. Sliding out on an icy road carving like an idiot. 100% my fault. Motherboard died on my Nik. Not my fault. 

The most I ever hurt myself was doing a one armed handstand press 10 years ago. Then comes some martial arts stuff, then work, then relationships, then my mountainbike, my parents, working out, inlines skating, running, diving off a cliff, framing art, cutting glass, answering an e-mail angrily. So yeah... electric unicycles are great and if you have decent self preservation everything will work out fine.

[Elliott Reitz]

What could possibly be more dangerous than an Electric Unicycle or a Crotch-Rocket Motorcycle?

Well an e-scooter of course!  This one can go 32mph.  I got it for their lunchtime dog walker to use. 

 

[.....]

22 minutes ago, Elliott Reitz said:

What could possibly be more dangerous than an Electric Unicycle or a Crotch-Rocket Motorcycle?

Well an e-scooter of course!  This one can go 32mph.  I got it for their lunchtime dog walker to use. 

 

If you want to be a true menace, you need to buy a powerful e-skate. Be sure to loan it out to newbies and tell them how easy it is. I still think the euc is more dangerous than a scooter, but I've a little scooter and its mean as hell. The REAL issue is that you automatically assume a scooter is simple, whereas you know an euc isnt. Sounds to me like you need grab a 60mph wheel, so those doggies can get a real chance to fly....

[Elliott Reitz]

3 hours ago, ShanesPlanet said:

If you want to be a true menace, you need to buy a powerful e-skate. Be sure to loan it out to newbies and tell them how easy it is. I still think the euc is more dangerous than a scooter, but I've a little scooter and its mean as hell. The REAL issue is that you automatically assume a scooter is simple, whereas you know an euc isnt. Sounds to me like you need grab a 60mph wheel, so those doggies can get a real chance to fly....

My husky Loki has done 27 mph going up a grassy road after he saw a deer.  I was on my 100V MSX and it was me who chickened out on speed.  Hi probably would have topped 30mph.  Wow!  And the little one?  I've done 25 max with them togeather.  20mph togeather on vid commonly.  

Oh hay, back on-topic!  Is it DANGEROUS or a SAFETY issue to ride with dogs?  What about snow?  

 

[.....]

5 minutes ago, Elliott Reitz said:

Oh hay, back on-topic!  Is it DANGEROUS or a SAFETY issue to ride with dogs?  What about snow? 

Umm. you are the expert on that. Sit and think about it, ask the dogs a few questions, and get back to us on the REAL answer....

Edited May 7, 2022 by ShanesPlanet

[Elliott Reitz]

I think my dog loves it!  I'm even enjoying watching him on my own video - like when I was there!

 

[.....]

11 minutes ago, Elliott Reitz said:

I think my dog loves it!  I'm even enjoying watching him on my own video - like when I was there!

 

He's probably excited that your old ass is finally letting him get a brisk pace for more than 20 feet. Born to run baby! Teach him to drag your ass back to the house if he needs to, and you're golden! Just don't eat the yellow snow.

Edited May 7, 2022 by ShanesPlanet

[Elliott Reitz]

Damn that scooter really is dangerous trying to ride it with them.  Just got back from a ride shortened by the chain getting loose suddenly.  hmmm.