Up until the eighties, kick scooters were a part of every household with kids. I am sure most of you will remember spending hours on those 2, 3 and 4 wheeled contraptions designed to offer as much fun, although not speed, as bikes. In fact, they were often considered the prelude to bikes and skate boards.
However, today these scooters, which were mere toys then, have evolved into a viable transportation option. Actually, they are now in competition with bikes and even skates as the most eco-friendly, affordable and urban-friendly personal transportation vehicles.
But, when two products are pitched against each other, it makes sense to compare their pros and cons before making your choice. So, all those who have been wondering if buying your kid a kick scooter would be better than purchasing a bike, continue reading to know the results of the kick scooter vs. bike rumble.
First, a crucial question? A kick scooter for commuting to school or college…Really?
Yes, most kids and even youngsters would consider it a bit far-fetched to use a kick scooter for their commute to school. But, there are some distinctive advantages to this form of transportation. For instance:
Faster: Depending on how fast your kid/teen can kick, these kick scooters can be 3 to 5 times faster than walking. So, yes your kid will still get to his/her classes on time.
No need for anything special: Yes, a helmet is certainly recommended and should be used but otherwise you don’t need any special protective gear when using a kick scooter. The simple fact is that even at maximum speed, kick scooters are not fast enough to cause trouble.
Get past traffic: Whether it is bicycle traffic or foot traffic involving kids bustling to get through the campus and into their classes, the compact size and maneuverability of a kick scooter allow it to get past it all, without causing any trouble for the rider and those around him/her.
Made for short commutes: The biggest advantage of kick scooters is that they are designed for short commutes. So, if you are looking for a transportation method that is healthy, safe and affordable and will get your kid to school on time, a kick scooter will fit the bill perfectly.
Just as eco-friendly as biking: For all Greta Thunbergs in the making out there, kick scooters also happen to be just as eco-friendly as bikes. In fact, more so if you consider the low need for maintenance hence the reduced requirement for replacement parts like tires and seats.
Now that you know how and why kick scooters work as a viable means of transport for school and college going kids. Let’s talk about how they fare when pitched against bikes.
The Kick Scooter vs. Bike Battle: Who Wins?
1. Distance
Kick scooters have nothing on bikes in terms of the distance the two can cover. Your bike can even take you across city and state lines, not that a kid would want to travel that far.
But the best that a kick scooter can do is about 1-2 kilometers; at the most a mile. So, think of these as simplistic contraptions that are just right for school or to take you to a junction from where you hop onto another form of transportation like the bus or the train.
Bike: 1 Scooter: 0
2. Energy
If you thought a bike ride in the morning is invigorating, wait till you try out a kick scooter. According to a University of Brighton study, you burn about 350 calories an hour while kicking your way on your scooter.
In fact, even 10 minutes of scooting can make you spend about 80-100 calories, which is more than what you would expend when cycling. So, for the health conscious and even for youngsters who want to build strength and stamina or turn fitness into a habit early on in life, a kick scooter is the most non-intrusive and natural option for staying fit.
Bike: 1 Scooter: 1
3. Speed
This is one factor in which a kick scooter cannot hold a candle to a bike. After all, with a cycle you can easily do 10-15 mph, depending on your fitness level. But scooting comes up to just 50%-60% of that. So, you’ll never go faster than 5-8 mph, and that is for youngsters and adults.
The best that kids can do is about 2-3 mph, which is still about twice as fast as walking. Now, the thing is that when it comes to kids scooting to school, slower is definitely better than faster. So, it’s a tie on this front!
Bike: 1 Scooter: 1
4. Maneuverability
The wheels are smaller as compared to a bike, even on adult scooters, and you control them with a stable handle bar as you stand. So, undoubtedly a kick scooter can be maneuvered with more ease and safety in crowded places. Plus, its low speed means that you have greater control over the scooter than you do on a bike.
Bike: 0 Scooter: 1
5. Portability
Although a lot of schools and colleges now have special bins to park/store kick scooters, these portable contraptions can simply be folded and carried around if need be. They are really that light and compact. And that is something you simply can’t do with a bike.
Bike: 0 Scooter: 1
6. Compatibility with other forms of transportation
When you ride a bike, you are basically stuck with it. Although some cities do allow bicycles on public transportation, most commuters are less than pleased to have a bulky contraption in scarce space.
But a kick scooter is another story. It’s small and can be carried on the back or simply held in one hand like a duffel bag. So, whether you intend to ride all the way to school or only to the nearest bus stop or train station, a kick scooter will be ideal for you.
Bike: 0 Scooter: 1
7. Maintenance
This is another front on which scooters score over bikes. While a lot can go wrong with a bike, particularly high-end models, scooters are virtually maintenance free.
Bike: 0 Scooter: 1
8. Cost
Depending on the model and make of a bicycle, you can end up spending between $300 and $1,000 on a bike. You would pay considerably less for a kick scooter at $70 to $250. Also, in terms of annual maintenance and operational cost, a scooter is a better bet.
Bike: 0 Scooter: 1
9. The learning curve
For most kids, there is a learning curve when it comes to a bicycle. This is not to say that your kid should not learn to ride one. In fact, I firmly believe that every kid should know how to ride a bike. But it takes a while to master the balancing act needed to use a bicycle.
In contrast, just about anybody can get the hang of scooting within an hour of using it for the very first time.
Bike: 0 Scooter: 1
10. Comfort
Finally, we come to comfort. You get to sit and ride a bike while you will be standing all the way on a scooter. Since you will be sitting through all your classes in school or college, standing at the beginning and the end of the day for about a half an hour actually seems like a more comfortable option than occupying a bicycle seat. But, if the happenings of the day have tired you, a bike will prove to be both faster and more comfortable. So, it’s a tie on this one too.
Bike: 1 Scooter: 1
And the grand total is: Bike: 4 vs. Scooter: 9. Looks like we have a clear winner here.
Take it from the mother of three rambunctious boys; kick scooters do make for a safe and viable transportation option for kids. It’s more affordable and storage is easy.
Also, very few people are interested in stealing a kick scooter. So, it’s pretty much a win on all fronts for the humble kick scooter!
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