Can You Ride an Electric Scooter for Adults with Seat in the Rain?
Dec 01, 2022
There is an increasing number of electric scooters on the streets, and electric scooters are becoming a commuting option for more people, especially for short distances, as an alternative to public transportation or private cars.
Sometimes, it is inevitable to run into rainy weather. So at this time, can we still ride electric scooters to travel? Can electric scooters be ridden in rainy weather? What is the waterproof index?
Are electric scooters for adults with seats waterproof?
As we all know, most scooters come with an IP rating, which means they are waterproof to some extent. However, do you know what the IP ratings mean?
For example IP65
The first digit indicates the level of protection that the enclosure provides against the ingress of solid foreign objects.
The second digit defines the protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against various forms of moisture (drips, sprays, submersion, etc).
So, we only need to pay attention to the second digit. Here is a chart for you to better understand the IP rating.
| First Digit | Intrusion Protection | Second Digit | Moisture Protection |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | No protection. | 0 | No protection. |
| 1 | Protected against solid objects over 50mm, e.g. accidental touch by hands. | 1 | Protected against vertically falling drops of water, e.g. condensation. |
| 2 | Protected against solid objects over 12mm, e.g. fingers. | 2 | Protected against direct sprays of water up to 15 degrees from the vertical. |
| 3 | Protected against solid objects over 2.5mm, e.g. tools & wires. | 3 | Protected against direct sprays of water up to 60 degrees from the vertical. |
| 4 | Protected against solid objects over 1mm, e.g. wires & nails. | 4 | Protected against water splashed from all directions, limited ingress permitted. |
| 5 | Protected against dust limited ingress, no harmful deposits. | 5 | Protected against low-pressure jets of water from all directions, limited ingress permitted. |
| 6 | Totally protected against dust. | 6 | Protected against strong jets of water, e.g. on the ships deck, limited ingress permitted. |
You can discover that most scooters come with an IP54, which means they only have the waterproof function degree like 4: Protected against water splashed from all directions, limited ingress permitted.
Therefore, it is not waterproof, even if they have the 6th level of waterproof degree.
Since the battery, screws, and other inner parts of the scooter are not waterproof, it would be damaged by water if the rain is too heavy, and the rain might go into the scooter.
Damage to the battery cannot be easily wiped out with a dry cloth.
However, the scooter with IP54 can handle small rain, like water splash. If you happen to a light rain outside, you can still ride your e-scooter at a slow speed.
Light rain riding tips
If you have to ride in light rain, here are some tips to help you ride on wet and slippery roads more safely.
- Always wear a helmet, no matter how light or heavy the rain is. The helmet is basic gear for your safety.
- Slow down. Reduce your riding speed due to the slippery and wet road. Lower speed can upgrade your safe ride and prevent water splashes into the scooter and damaging the inner parts.
- Brake ahead of time. Since the slippery road, the braking distance will be longer than braking on the dry road, so it takes longer to finally stop the scooter. Therefore, brake earlier can prevent accidents and dangers to yourself and others.
- After the ride, remember to carefully wipe out the water on the scooter with a dry cloth asap. Also, don't forget the dust or rocks on the scooter.
Types of weather to avoid riding electric scooters for adults with seats
- Heavy rain
You can ride in different weather but don't try to ride in heavy rain. The water is a problem, and it is hard to stop safely since the road is too wet and slippery. If you have to ride in the rain, slow down and take care.
- Fog weather
Walking outside in foggy weather can be difficult as you can barely see the surroundings and pedestrians. Not to say ride your scooter or drive a car. Don't try to zip along on your escooter on a foggy day, not safe and not wise.
- Snowy day
The rain can make the road so slippery and hard to brake your scooter. So does the snow. Sometimes, there is ice on the road, and it is more slippery to ride on than on rainy days.
Conclusion
Even the electric scooter for adults with seats has some degree of waterproof functions, but they are not 100% waterproof. You can sometimes ride your scooter in the light rain at a low speed. And don't forget to wipe down the dust and water on the scooter.