Skateboarding is a world-famous sport that’s been around for a long time. While most people use traditional beginner skateboards for fun, others use them as a means of transportation. The advancement of technology has also brought us a new interesting trend in skateboarding today, which is the electric skateboard.
How Do Electric Skateboards Work?
The electric skateboards look almost the same as normal skateboards. You also need to get the same accessories that you’d get for traditional boards. Just like there are regular skateboard helmets, there’s also a range of electric skateboard helmets, and you need to invest in one before you can ride.
It’s only when you lift the skateboard up that you’ll notice the electric motor underneath and you can see the difference. These skateboards are powered by a battery and a motor that is placed under the deck or inside the wheels. You don’t need to take your feet off the board in order to push forward or break. The skateboard is controlled by remote control and will do these commands at the push of a button. This lets you enjoy the ride as a passenger as the electric motor drives you around.
To make turns you need to simply shift your weight to your toes or heels. Shift your weight to your toes if you want to make a front side turn, or lean on your heels to make a backside turn.
Compared to normal skateboards that people mostly use for doing tricks, electrical skateboards are only used for transportation. You can use them for commuting to work or to take an enjoyable and relaxing ride in the countryside. They weigh around 10 kg and reach a hefty speed that ranges from 16 – 50 km/h.
Surprisingly, the first motor-driven (gasoline-powered) skateboard dates back to the seventies. However, today’s electrically driven skateboards look much more modern and attractive.
What Are the Basic Components of an Electric Skateboard?
The basic components of an electric skateboard are the deck, trucks and wheels. The deck is the largest component and it’s essentially the platform that you’re standing on when you’re riding. It usually consists of 3 to 12 plies of hardwood. The best type of wood for a skateboard deck is maple wood. To add more strength and rigidity, some manufacturers use a layer of fiberglass or carbon over the wood. Others create the whole deck out of fiberglass or carbon to make it more lightweight, stronger and more durable.
The trucks are metal parts that create the axis of your e-board. They transfer your body’s weight from the deck to the bearings and wheels. Trucks are an essential part of a skateboard because they allow you to make turns.
The wheels of an electric skateboard are made from polyurethane. They vary in size, shape and colour to suit different preferences. Skaters usually prefer larger wheels, because they move more easily on rocky and uneven terrain, as well as allow you to pick up more speed.
Essential Protective Gear to Stay Safe
Before stepping onto a skateboard, you need to put on the right protective equipment to avoid any potential injuries. This is especially important if you’re riding an e-board. They move at significantly faster rates than normal skateboards, which increases the risk of accidents. No matter if you’re riding on busy streets or empty roads, make sure you’re equipped with the proper gear that’s specialized for electric skateboards.
The first thing you need to pay attention to is the variety durable electric skateboard helmets. The design of these helmets is much different from ordinary skateboard helmets. They’re low profile, lightweight and consist of several layers made from high-quality materials.
They’re made from a hard ABS outer shell that protects from impacts and an inner EPS liner. The comfortable inner liner consists of hard foam that adjusts to your head’s shape and absorbs the energy from impacts. Accidents caused by riding an e-board tend to be more serious and cause more damage to our bodies – and the helmet protects our most fragile body part.
Apart from keeping you safe, the modern electric skateboard helmets also serve to improve your style while skating. Their sleek and minimalist designs are available in different colours and patterns to match your skating aesthetic.
To ensure the safety of your other body parts, don’t forget to equip yourself with wrist guards, elbow pads and knee pads. The wrist guards are the second most important piece of protective gear. Often times when we fall down, we use our hands to catch ourselves and soften the impact, which results in a lot of wrist injuries. A pair of well-designed wrist guards will protect your hands in case of a fall.
Learn How to Fall
By falling properly off of your skateboard you minimize the damage done by injuries. A good way to practice this is to try purposely falling off of your e-board while moving. Use an old mattress to soften the fall and try landing on the fleshy areas of your body (such as the stomach, thighs, etc.) and then rolling out of the bail. While any type of falling will result in bruises and cuts on your skin, it’s better to land on these body parts than on your joints and bones. Falling on purpose does seem like a silly exercise, but many people use it to prepare themselves for the dangers of the road.
