STACK #190 Aug 2020

FEATURE LIFE TECH

So how do they work? An e-scooter is made up of three essential components: a rechargeable lithium ion battery; a motherboard – the brain of the scooter that regulates acceleration, speed and brakes; and the electric motor. Early electric scooters used an outboard chain-driven motor, but modern quality models use a hub motor situated in the wheel. The benefits of a hub motor include greater sound reduction, better torque and power, and faster response time. When the user presses the accelerator or brake control, the motherboard recognises the command and relays the message to the motor, and off you go.

Please Note: Each State and Territory in Australia has a different set of rules and regulations pertaining to the usage of e-scooters and e-boards (including where e-scooters and e-boards can legally be used and whether e-scooters and e-boards need to be registered with the relevant road traffic authority). Any user of this product must ensure that they check and abide by their local by-laws and use responsibly. Ride with caution and always wear a helmet and protective gear when riding your e-scooter and e-board.

work. Incredibly, 28 per cent of those surveyed lived in the same postcode that they worked in, while 55 per cent lived within 10kms of their place of work. By utilising an e-scooter for your daily commute, or indeed just to pop down to the local shop, you’re helping to reduce congestion on the road and cut carbon emissions. Tone Up! We know what you’re thinking. Of course you’re not going to get the same level of workout as a riding a bike, but keeping consistent balance works your core, legs, arms and back muscles. And the other major health benefit of 2020 is being outside in the fresh air and not sardined on crowded public transport. Safety Approved headgear protection is essential when using any form of rideable. It’s also vitally important to check your state legislation before taking to the road; laws do differ quite considerably from state to state. Fun factor Let’s not forget one of the greatest reasons to own an e-scooter – it’s fun! E-scooters are easy to ride, with a very shallow learning curve. We’ve already mentioned the nostalgia factor, the feeling of riding a magic carpet down the road, but whether you’re commuting to work during the week or heading off on an adventure over the weekend, riding an e-scooter is exceptional fun.

Why should I get an e-scooter? Once the preserve of urban tech-heads, more and more people are warming to the idea of using an e-scooter. It makes perfect sense.Why? Read on…

Convenience Portability is a huge selling point here. If you live within a few kilometres of a train station or even a bus stop, battling with car parking spots can be a nightmare. E-scooters fold down for handy transportation once you’ve reached the bus or train, and at the other end can be easily stored in the workplace. If you’re fortunate enough to live within a reasonable distance to work or you just want to visit a favourite café, hopping onboard your e-scooter and cruising down the pavement cuts out the hassle of being stuck in a traffic jam. With a battery range of around 24 kilometres, your commuting or adventure options are wide open. Cost effectiveness The affordability of e-scooters has dropped considerably in the wake of their increased popularity. Once you’ve made the initial outlay,

the only costs you’ll incur are electricity (the savvy economist will wait to charge their unit at home during off-peak night time rates). Beyond that, there’s no registration or insurance costs attached, and e-scooters require very little maintenance. The biggest saving, of course, is fuel. Petrol prices in Australia fluctuate with more regularity than the ASX, so it’s not just time saved when you’re stuck in traffic during the daily commute, there’s a big saving in the back pocket too. Environment According to a report from the Climate Council, close to 87 per cent of Australians travel to work by car and travel emissions have increased 63 per cent since 1990. Further research conducted by Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) reveals that the average city commute in the big Australian capitals is 66 minutes to and from

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