Buying a city scooter – what should you consider?

City scooters for adults are also known as scooters or kickboards , the latter being a registered trademark of the manufacturer Micro Scooter. In comparison to a city scooter, a kickboard is equipped with three wheels, whereby the front two can be steered with a handlebar and by shifting your weight. City scooters have two large wheels and a rigid footboard with a brake. A foldable handlebar with two handles is used to control the front axle. Since the 1990s, scooters have conquered the cities and streets of Switzerland and are now an indispensable part of everyday life for children and adults. After the classic foldable city scooter, which is mainly used in the city, other models have been developed in recent years. The mini scooter for children is adapted to the needs and size of small children and offers fun and exercise for the whole family. The stunt scooter for teenagers and adults is a particularly robust model and is best suited for riding in skate parks. Superlative freestyle opportunities await you on halfpipes, quarterpipes, kickers, rails and other obstacles.

City scooter – the most important features

1. The handlebar

All of our city scooters are height-adjustable. Depending on the model, the handlebar height can be adjusted in 3 or 4 levels and can therefore be adapted to the rider's height. Most scooters are suitable for children and tall adults alike. The handlebars of almost every city scooter can be folded in using a folding mechanism and can therefore be conveniently stowed away on the train, bus or in the office. Foldable city scooters are the perfect companion for everyday work as a supplement to public transport.

2. Large and low running board

An optimal footboard has a relatively low center of gravity and thus ensures that the scooter rides smoothly. The footboard is wide and, in combination with an anti-slip coating, offers a secure footing. The low center of gravity makes city scooters very easy to ride for children and adults, and even longer distances can be mastered without much effort. Most models have one of the brakes above the rear wheel, which can be pressed with the foot.

3. Suspension

The advantage of a scooter with suspension is obvious. Unevenness in the ground is compensated for by the shock-absorbing effect. However, not every rider likes scooters with suspension, as the ride is a little less direct and a small amount of the drive energy can be lost. Pay attention to this feature when buying a city scooter if you value particularly comfortable rolling even on uneven ground.

4. Folding mechanism yes or no?

Many city scooters have a folding mechanism that allows the scooter handlebars to be easily folded down. What saves space when storing can also be a weak point when subjected to heavy loads. For intensive use, we therefore recommend a city scooter without a folding mechanism, or even better, buying a robust freestyle scooter .

5. Wheels / rollers

Wheels for city scooters are available in the dimensions 125mm, 145mm, 200mm, 230mm. The 200mm size is the standard for adults, while the two smaller sizes are intended for children and teenagers. City scooter wheels are usually made from a PVC core which is coated with PU rubber (polyurethane). Good to know: Large wheels allow you to reach higher speeds and have a more comfortable ride, as bumps are better compensated for. We recommend the following wheel sizes for your city scooter:

• City scooter for children: 125 mm wheel diameter
• City scooter for teenagers: 145 mm wheel diameter
• City scooter for adults: 200 mm wheel diameter

Maximum load

Almost all city scooters for adults are tested to 100 kg according to the EN 14619 standard and are equipped with large wheels. Heavier people should preferably buy a stunt scooter , because although these are also only tested up to 100 kg, they are of significantly higher quality and designed for greater loads.

protective gear

We therefore recommend that you always wear a helmet and protect particularly vulnerable areas such as knees and elbows with pads. When riding a scooter, always pay attention to bumps in the road and always keep a watchful eye on the traffic. You can find further tips for using a city scooter safely on the following website.

Weight / Safety

City scooters for adults usually weigh between 4 kg and 6 kg and are designed for people weighing a maximum of 100 kg. To ensure that transport is as comfortable as possible, we recommend choosing a lightweight model when purchasing. High-quality scooters are made of aluminum and are therefore particularly light, but still robust. When riding a city scooter, we always recommend wearing a suitable scooter helmet to reduce the risk of injury in the event of a fall.

How much does a city scooter cost?

A city scooter costs between CHF 79 and CHF 139. The quality of the individual components and the materials used have a strong influence on the price of the scooter. The following applies: the higher the price, the higher the quality. It is usually worth investing a little more money in a city scooter if you get better brakes, ergonomic handles or a stable folding mechanism. The differences are often not noticeable at first glance. But they become apparent over time with regular use. Especially if you ride a lot, you will have a lot of fun riding your city scooter over a longer period of time with high-quality material .

Which scooter for adults?

Foldable city scooters are particularly popular with adults because they are ideal for everyday use. Thanks to the folding mechanism, stowing them away on the train or at work is no problem, a big advantage over a bicycle. When choosing a scooter for adults, you should make sure that the wheels are large enough so that the scooter glides smoothly and is less susceptible to pebbles and other bumps. With large wheels, high speeds can be reached even with little effort, making commuting through the city much more fun. Models with good ball bearings ensure that you can cover long distances with just a few "pushes" and maneuver comfortably through your city. When buying a foldable city scooter, don't skimp on the quality of the material, because you want to enjoy your scooter for as long as possible, don't you? Good to know: Compared to a skateboard , scooters are extremely easy to ride. You don't need a lot of skill or practice to maneuver them safely through the streets.

Areas of application for city scooters

City scooters are used wherever short distances in urban areas have to be covered. For example, the journey from the train station to work can be covered much faster with a scooter than with the bus or tram. Many children and young people use the city scooter to get to school or to quickly go to the swimming pool or to see friends in the summer. Due to the high popularity of city scooters, many schools have even created parking spaces for scooters next to the bike racks, where they can also be secured with locks to protect them from theft. City scooters are part of modern micromobility and make an important contribution to relieving the burden on public transport in urban areas. Those who ride a scooter save resources, make a contribution to environmental protection and do something for their health thanks to the exercise. Children also value the city scooter as a sports and leisure device. People meet in the neighborhood, on the playground and in the city and always have the scooter with them to ride from A to B together. The advantages of city scooters over a bicycle are obvious: small, light and compact, they ensure flexible management of short distances in everyday life. Cool style and tricks over obstacles are included for free. Would you like to whizz through the city without any physical exertion? Then we recommend you take a look at our "E-Scooter Switzerland" section.

Summary

• There are various things that characterize a good city scooter. Here are some things you should look out for when you want to buy a scooter:
• Models with a deep and wide footboard ensure a secure stand.
• With a height-adjustable handlebar, you can adjust the handlebar height exactly to your needs.
• A foldable handlebar guarantees space-saving transport
• City scooter models with large wheels and suspension ensure a comfortable and smooth ride
• Good material quality at a slightly higher price ensures long driving pleasure

Our City Scooter Brands

We stock the city scooter brands “Globber” and “Motion Scooter” in our Swiss online shop. The products of the “Globber” brand are in the high-end segment, while “Motion Scooter” has positioned itself as a family-friendly brand with fair prices for children and adults. Thanks to our long-standing brand loyalty, we always have spare parts for both brands in stock.

Facts about Funwheel

Our Swiss company Funwheel was founded in 2002 and today offers the largest selection of roller sports items in Switzerland. We stock a wide range of high-quality products and spare parts from proven brands in our Swiss warehouse. Do you have any questions about our city scooters? Our customer service team will be happy to advise you by phone on 041 611 02 31 or by email at info@funwheel.ch. Good to know: Orders received by 2:30 p.m. will be delivered to you the next day .