The Electric Skateboard: A Temporary Trend or The Future of Urban Transport?

Most of us agree that an electric skateboard is a pretty cool thing to own! Over the last few years, electric skateboards have been getting more popular than ever before. Sales have been booming, but many are wondering if this trend is temporary, or are these powerful high-tech devices here to stay?

Owners are finding they ride much faster than a traditional skateboard, with some allowing you to keep up with traffic. They have a built-in braking system, which helps you to stay in control and help you manage your speed, even if you are going up or down a hill. 

Traditional skateboards tend to take a long time to get used to, however, you can easily maintain your balance as you don't need to push when riding an electric skateboard. Beginners find it easy to master electric skateboards, and this is one of the main reasons why they have been very popular. 

If you are considering purchasing a board, check out this electric skateboard comparison. 

What exactly is an Electric Skateboard?

Although the design of an electric skateboard looks similar to traditional skateboards, the differences are:

• An electric skateboard has an electric motor built in: These motors are either built into the board's wheels or it is mounted on the back of the board. 

• It has a battery pack attached to it: Some people like to customize their batteries

• A control unit: This helps control the board's speed and also manages the battery usage. 

Some electric skateboards come as a package, ready for the customer to ride. However, others like to build their own by purchasing and installing the motor, battery, and control unit themselves. 

Just like traditional skateboards, these too come in a range of different colors, some with logos and images on both the front and back to make them look even cooler! It is possible to buy plain boards so you can create your own personal design yourself. 

Electric Skateboards are Great Fun!

For anyone who has dreamed of owning a hoverboard like Marty McFly used in the Back to the Future movies, an electric skateboard is the next best thing! Although you are still on the ground, it does feel like you are hovering around the place. This is probably the case because you don't need to put your feet on the ground at any stage while you are riding. You can enjoy long rides without having to do much, as the motor will do all the hard work for you. Rather than focusing on having to gain motion, you can concentrate on your balance and enjoy your surroundings. 

If you are making your own electric skateboard, enjoy installing all the equipment. Taking it for its first ride will be even more exciting than purchasing a complete electric skateboard. 

Skating for some is a way of life. Adrenaline junkies are constantly searching for new ways to feel that rush they constantly crave. There is a great social side to skating, and it is a great way to meet new friends. 

Skating is Good for your Health

There are many health benefits to skating such as:

• Helps you build muscle and improves your strength: You have to be able to balance while on an electric skateboard, so you will find yourself getting physically stronger in some areas, especially in your legs. 

• Improves your nervous system: Your nervous system is going to be called into action when trying to balance yourself on an electric skateboard. 

• Stress relief: Riding around the streets, taking in the atmosphere while the wind blows through your hair is a great way of reducing some stress. 

You might find yourself spending a lot more hours out in the fresh air, which is very good for you physically and mentally. Many teenagers like to spend hours in front of computer games, televisions, and smart devices, so owning an electric skateboard can help motivate them to go outdoors more often, breathe in some fresh air, and get the blood pumping!

Electric Skateboards are Eco-Friendly

One thing that makes electric skateboards even cooler is that they are 100% eco-friendly! Because they run on rechargeable batteries, they don't cause pollution or smog that other methods of transport do. 

Choosing to take your electric skateboard for a ride to pick up some things at your local store is a much better option for the world's atmosphere in comparison to a car. Even if you're feeling lazy, an electric skateboard doesn't take much effort to ride. In the long run, you will probably end up saving a mini fortune on fuel. 

One of the main reasons some people feel that electric skateboards could be the future of urban transport is because they are one of the most environmentally friendly modes of transport with an engine.

They are Fast!

If you are looking for speed, some of these electric skateboards are extremely powerful. Some are believed to go at speeds of 22 miles per hour! In an urban area, 22 miles per hour is fast! Cars and other vehicles in towns and cities don't tend to go over 30MPH, and with a skateboard being able to move in and out of traffic, chances are you'll get to your destination quicker than other forms of transport. Again, this is another major reason for electric skateboards' recent success. 

Not only will the board get used to going over potholes and bumps, but they tend to be safer than traditional boards. 

There are speed controls built into each board that allows the person who is riding to stay in control. These controls make it easier to go up hills as it will help increase the speed, and it will lower the speed when you are coming downhill. You don't need to worry about losing your board while coming down a big hill. The majority of electric boards alert you when you have hit the top speed. 

Electric Boards are Cost-Effective

In comparison to other forms of urban transport, electric boards are a much cheaper option. Here are some of the reasons owning an electric skateboard can help save you money:

• They are not too expensive to buy: Whether you are buying a complete packaged electric skateboard or perhaps you are deciding to build your own, you will find it is much cheaper than purchasing a moped or motorbike. 

• Cheap to maintain: Replacing batteries, damaged wheels, motors are not that expensive. Before purchasing, you might want to check out how much the spare parts cost, in case something needs replacing in the future. 

• Save you money on fuel: Anyone who owns a car will tell you how expensive fuel costs are. With an electric skateboard, all you need to do is charge the battery pack and away you go! Most electric skateboarders like to keep a spare battery pack as a backup.

Summary

You might be thinking that an electric skateboard is just a lazy man's skateboard, but you do have the option to turn off the board's motor and use it as a traditional board. You can enjoy a skate around the park, and if you are tired on the way home, you can easily switch the motor back on.

Unlike most other modes of transport, an electric skateboard is easily portable. They easily fit inside a bag, and it is an ideal device to bring traveling. So, without having to rely on overpriced taxis while you're on your holidays, just bring your trusty electric skateboard in your luggage.