Electric scooters offer a fun, sustainable and convenient way to get around – but the question we get asked the most is, are they worth it?

It’s official. Electric scooting is on trend and becoming more and more popular each year. They give a slicker and speedier alternative to walking, for people of all ages. But more than that, they offer riders a cheaper way of getting to work and other places – there’s no petrol to pay or insurance to consider. Once the initial purchase has been made, the only other costs to consider are those associated with the energy used to charge the scooter and the low maintenance costs.

Not only do electric scooters save riders money but they also offer a daily dose of exercise. When travelling by electric scooter, the rider must be firm and hold balance, which is great exercise and builds core strength. On steeper surfaces, the rider might need to push the scooter which definitely helps to burn calories and keep fit. 

It doesn’t really take much practice to figure out how to ride a scooter safely. Storage is simple too – electric scooters are easily stowed away when not being used, so if space is limited this is an added bonus. 

And it’s not just the rider that feels the benefit of electric scooting – there are no harmful carbon emissions so the environment benefits too. 

It’s not surprising then, that scooter sharing companies like Lime and Bird are joining the scooting revolution and cornering the market. But for those who don’t want to rent scooters, Micro Scooters has the answer. 

The Micro Merlin takes electric scooting to another level. Lightweight (just 15kgs) yet fast, nimble and packed with features that, we believe, will give users the ride of their lives! 

It has four speed settings to suit every type of journey, cruise control to make rides effortless and integrated dual suspension for ensuring a comfortable ride on any terrain. 

In terms of battery life, it has an impressive three-hour full recharge that is backed up by Micro’s smart regenerative braking that pours energy into the battery as riders brake. It’s innovative LCD handlebar display gives riders information on speed, distance covered, battery level, outside temperature and many more metrics. 

Distance and time don’t pose a problem either, with an impressive top speed of 15mph and a 15 mile range on a single charge. 

The streets are there for conquering with Micro’s most advanced electric scooter yet. And when the journey or day is over, it can be folded and carried with ease. 

The Merlin is Swiss designed and engineered, offering uncompromising attention to detail and is built to last. It is tested to withstand the toughest adventures but just in case, all parts are replaceable. 

To find out more, visit the Micro website 

Things to consider when investing in an electric scooter 

There’s lots of questions to consider before taking the plunge and investing in an electric scooter. Here, we answer some of the most commonly asked questions. 

Are electric scooters legal in the UK? 

Electric scooters are classed as Personal Light Electric Vehicles in the UK, which means they are only permitted to be used legally on private land. The law which restricts electric scooters on the pavement is from the 1800’s (full details here). We believe the law should be updated to reflect 21st Century living.

What sort of journey do you need an electric scooter for?  

How far you want to go, how often and how fast are the key things to consider when buying an electric scooter. You should look at battery life and travel time to see if your scooter of choice will be able to handle the journey in both directions without needing a recharge; meaning you don’t have to carry a charger around.

Also, what terrain will you cover – are there hills and different surfaces? If so, consider a scooter that is light to push and has good suspension. 

Are electric scooters waterproof? 

Most electric scooters should not be used in the rain or left in standing water. Water ingress will affect the battery and could lead to the scooter not working properly.

Can electric scooters be used manually? 

Yes some electric scooters can be used manually. The Micro Merlin adult electric scooter obviously works best in electric mode but if the motor isn’t actively switched on it can be used as a push powered scooter.

The Micro Sparrow electric scooter for kids can be used in electric and push powered quickly and easily by the flick of a switch. You can see more about our kids range of electric scooters here >>> 

Can electric scooters go up steep hills? 

Yes, the higher the power the quicker the electric scooter will go up a hill. Some electric scooters like the Micro Merlin have different modes you can switch to depending on the terrain.

What electric scooter is fastest? 

If metrics matter, you might want to invest in a scooter that can give you plenty of feedback. The Micro Merlin gives data on speed, distance covered, battery level, outside temperature and many more metrics.

How much should you spend on an electric scooter? 

This is a tricky one and it boils down to personal preference and budget. Generally speaking, those at the higher price offer higher speeds and longer battery times. If though, you’re only looking to use your scooter for a few minutes every day, you might prefer to spend less.

Can electric scooters be charged at home?

Yes the majority of electric scooters come with a UK plug which means you can charge the scooter at home or at work. The charge time on the Micro Merlin adult electric scooter is 3 hours for a full recharge. This should give you a 15 mile range on pedestrian mode.

How fast do electric scooters go?

Depending on the manufacturers electric scooters can go as fast as 40mph. We totally disagree with this speed and make sure our scooters do not go at this speed. The fastest our current range of electric scooters for adult go is 15mph. Our current children’s range of electric scooters have a top speed of 9mph.

Will electric scooters become legal in the UK?

As we all know current legislation involving electric scooters is antiquated (it is in fact based on a law from the 1800’s – you can see more about that here >>).

As a leading manufacturer and retailer of electric scooters for adults and kids we would like to work with legislators and wider communities to devise a sensible plan for legal use of electric scooters in the UK.

We believe legislation needs to keep up with behaviour. We see electric scooter use as part of the solution to the very real issue of urban congestion, air quality, obesity and more and would welcome and update and clarification on the current legalities. You can find out how and why we think electric scooters should be legalised in our Micro Manifesto for Micro Mobility.