How to Ride a Hoverboard

Hoverboards or self-balancing scooters are a popular transportation being bought worldwide. These hoverboards have become excessively popular in the past decade thanks to technological advancements. While pop culture references from sci-fi movies like “Back to the Future” have featured these hoverboards pretty clearly— they’ve become prevalent recently.

Investing in a good quality hoverboard is an ideal option for most people because they’re smaller, efficient, and provide optimal experiences. However, you need to learn some hoverboard safety rules before you start riding them.

Nearly 40% of hoverboard accidents result in fractures, mainly because individuals are not very careful while riding them. Hoverboards also injured over 250 individuals in 2016 and 2017—back when they were not as common.

The primary reason for these accidents is that people are too hasty. They even try to exceed the speed limit, increasing the chances of collision. If you’ve just bought your hoverboard or have no prior experience with riding them, this guide is for you. We will discuss tips on how to ride a hoverboard for beginners and some tips to make the process easier.

Steps to Ride a Hoverboard Properly

The quickest way to learn how to ride a hoverboard properly is to segment it into smaller steps. It may seem easy, but it’s not if you don’t know how to maintain your balance. You can always invest in self-balancing scooters, but you can also ride traditional scooters instead.

Getting on the Hoverboard

Riding the hoverboard on a flat surface and a rocky one is different—practice accordingly. You can start practising on your private property before heading onto the road.

  1. Start by placing the hoverboard on a straight surface because starting on an uneven surface initially makes it challenging to balance during movement.
  2. Place your foot on the hoverboard (we recommend placing your left foot first, as it’s dominant for most people)
  3. Always begin stepping on the hoverboard on a flat surface because the gadget will start moving as soon as there’s pressure on it.
  4. Place your other foot on the hoverboard and build your balance on it.

Moving Forward

To understand the movement of the hoverboard, you should first understand its mechanism. Hoverboards have weight sensors, allowing them to move as soon as someone steps on them. Once you have followed the first three steps mentioned earlier, you need to start adjusting your weight.

The best way to ensure safe hoverboard movement is correct foot position matters the most. Hoverboard riders should place their feet wide apart as it provides the most control for the riders. Once in that position, stand straight and keep your gaze straight.

It might feel a bit weird initially, and you might even feel anxious. Just try to relax and concentrate on standing as normally as possible. To move forward, simply shift your weight forward, and the hoverboard should start moving. Never shift too much weight, or the hoverboard may move too quickly, increasing the chances of slipping.

Moving Backward

Moving backward on a hoverboard works exactly opposite to moving forward, but the principle remains the same—weight placement. You need to shift your weight backward by tapping your heels on the hoverboard slightly. However, you should always be cautious while moving backward because you have slightly lesser control.

For instance, you could bang into an object behind you. So it’s necessary to ensure there are no obstacles to avoid accidents. Remember not to bend your waist while backing up, or you could have an accident.

Turning

Moving forward and backward are basic moves you should learn on your hoverboard. Once you have done that, you are ready to learn how to turn left and right. With a bit of practice, you can master this as well.

Turning is slightly more complicated because you need to twist your foot in the direction you want to turn to. For example, if someone needs to turn right, they turn their foot left and pushed their toes forward.

Similarly, to turn left, you must hit the foot pedal right and turn the hoverboard accordingly. Once you get used to this movement, you can master hoverboard turning in no time. You can even run the hoverboard at its maximum speed. Hoverboard owners who want to make sharper turns must hit the pedal with both feet and turn it easily.

Find a Practice Spot

We’ve discussed most details on how to ride a hoverboard for beginners, but it all comes down to the element of practice. You need to master the basic movements on the hoverboard before advancing to the more challenging ones. The best way to do this is to find a spot to practice.

Ideally, an area with a smooth surface can be the perfect choice for you. Begin by strolling on your private property, such as in your driveway. Once you have enough practice, move around your neighbourhood and ensure you have sufficient control. Even if there are some uneven surfaces on the roads, you can navigate around safely. Don’t try to speed up too much, or you could fall.

How to Set Up a Hoverboard

Setting up your hoverboard is the next step after you learn how to ride it. For starters, you need to charge the hoverboard. These hoverboards are rechargeable; all you have to do is connect them to the power outlet. Most hoverboards require 2-4 hours to charge, so you should never leave them to charge overnight.

There’s a risk of the hoverboard chargers causing a fire. We also recommend charging the hoverboard in a slightly open area so that no flammable items are in contact or range. Let it stay on charging for a few hours, ideally during the day, before you take it out on the road.

We recommend connecting the hoverboard’s Bluetooth to stream music if it supports the feature. You can stroll around the area on your hoverboard and enjoy music simultaneously.

Safety Measures to Take

Hoverboard accidents are slightly more common than you might think. The main reason for these accidents is people not knowing the right gear and safety items. Moreover, knowing the right hoverboard safety rules is just as essential as learning to ride it. Let’s discuss some of the main safety measures you should take.

Find The Right Protective Gear

Protective gear is the smartest way to ensure-on road safety. Therefore, we recommend knowing your options. With the popularity of hoverboards, we’ve advanced from standard helmets and have special options designed for your hoverboards. Here’s a list of basic protective gear items you should consider:

Increase your On-Road Visibility

A primary reason for road accidents is that hoverboard riders aren’t visible. You can wear glowing clothing or even install a green light (LED light) to be visible on the road. This way, you can minimize the chances of incoming traffic slamming into you during nighttime. 

Avoid Over speeding

The best way to drive safely is to stay in control. You are likelier to lose control if you try to hit the maximum speed as a beginner. Maintain a balanced speed, especially if you have off-road hoverboards, because the rocky surface is more dangerous.

Summary

Knowing how to ride a hoverboard for beginners greatly impacts your overall experience. It’s a wonderful experience if you perform it correctly. With the tips and tricks we have mentioned in this article, you’ll be able to ride the hoverboard safely. Ensure practising the basic movements before advancing to turns.

Also, purchase the necessary safety gear from a reputable brand. For instance, Hoveroo is a leading brand in the hoverboard manufacturing industry with top-quality products, like Elektra Hoverboard, that provide amazing experiences for riders. You can also find the latest hoverboard accessories and safety gear on the website.

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