Ask anyone what the most exciting scooter or gadget they’ve ever ridden is, and they’re likely to say hoverboards. Hoverboards were introduced in 2014 by a Chinese-American entrepreneur and inventor, Shane Chen.
Since then, these self-balancing scooters have gained rapid popularity. Research shows that the global market value of hoverboards was 2.77 billion U.S dollars in 2017. And these statistics have grown drastically since then; the market value stood tall at 3.44 billion U.S dollars in 2021.
If you’re interested in learning how to ride these gadgets, we’re here to help you. You can learn how to ride a hoverboard in 10 minutes with this guide:
Stepping On the Hoverboard
Before stepping on the hoverboard, follow these steps:
- Read the instruction manual.
- Turn the scooter on; the on button is probably near the charge port. Push it once you spot it.
- Ensure your hoverboard is charged and has a full battery. If not, charge the scooter right away.
- Position your hoverboard near something you can hold onto while balancing. This will allow you to balance it.
Once you’ve followed the above steps, you can finally step on the hoverboard. Hold onto a nearby object and step on it with one foot. If the light next to the battery gauge turns green, it’s safe to step on. If it turns red, switch off the hoverboard and try again.
After securing your first foot on it properly, carefully place your other foot too. Now, while putting your second foot, the board might stumble or move a bit but don’t panic. Reposition yourself and begin again; keep doing this until both your feet are on the hoverboard.
Once you balance yourself, point your toes forward to start moving.
How to Maneuver the Hoverboard?
Moving forward on a hoverboard is comparatively easier than the rest, but it will take you some time to manage that without help. However, once you do that, you can practice turning. If you want to turn clockwise, put the toes of your right foot down only. It is critical to keep your opposite foot horizontal; otherwise, the turn will counteract, and you may lose your balance.
Similarly, if you want to turn anti-clockwise, put the toes of your left foot down.
Since leaning your toes forward will take you ahead, lean back to go backward.
Safety Tips to Remember While Riding a Hoverboard
Hoverboards are thrilling gadgets to ride, but you must be careful with them. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind while riding a hoverboard.
Know Where to Ride
When riding a hoverboard, perhaps the most crucial thing to remember is where to ride them. Sure, you can ride these scooters in parks, neighborhoods, and in most places where bike riding are skateboard are allowed. However, some cities have banned hoverboards on streets, so you might need to check the local laws.
For instance, New York State has banned hoverboards since they’re considered vehicles that can’t be listed with the Department of Motor Vehicles. These scooters were also banned on many American airlines back in 2015 for safety reasons. So, ensure you’re familiar with your state laws before riding your hoverboard in public.
Practice Before Hitting the Roads
If this is your first time riding a hoverboard, hitting the road isn’t a great idea. Sure, you’ve probably learned how to ride one in just 10 minutes through the guide above, but you’ll need some practice before you finally ride your scooter in a public place.
The most crucial skill for riding a hoverboard is balance since a lack of balance can make room for falls and trips. Moreover, getting on and off the hoverboard is also imperative since you have to do it one foot at a time. A helpful tip to ensure you don’t trip while getting off the scooter is to step backward rather than forward.
In addition, remember your dominant foot should take the lead. While practicing, focus on keeping your posture straight and your knees bent. Also, keep your feet close together. This stance and keeping your gaze straight ahead should provide you with the best balance on the board.
Even if you decide not to wear safety equipment which you should, you should wear it during practice sessions and until you’re confident enough to ride it.
Be More Careful While Riding at Night
Like bikes and other vehicles, hoverboards also have headlights for nighttime visibility. However, the issue with these lights is they’re low and not vivid. As a result, if you’re riding at night, you must be even more cautious than usual.
A safety tip for your nighttime adventures with your scooter is wearing white. You could also consider wearing light-up shoes since they can light up the area. These shoes contain little ion batteries, just like the ones in phones and computers. You can charge these shoes to keep them lit.
You’re probably expecting only the soles to light up, right? Well, they keep flashing and shifting colors. As a result, they attract more attention than the single-colored lights on your hoverboard, and you become more visible to others on the street.
Charging The Hoverboard Overnight is a Bad Idea
Since you must charge hoverboards to ride them, people often leave them on charge overnight. Unfortunately, this is the biggest mistake you can make and can be risky. Overnight charging means no monitoring while you sleep. Most hoverboard batteries require four hours to charge completely. If they remain plugged in, the risk of fire increases.
Many riders charge their batteries once they finish riding, even if they don’t enough hours to charge them. We do the same thing with our phones and computers, that use the same battery types. The aim is to keep your scooter charged enough to ride it. It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on it while it’s charging.
If you’re ready to ride your hoverboard safely, don’t forget to check out the best professional hoverboards of 2022 on our online platform.
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