Kick scooter

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Two-wheeled, three-wheeled and four-wheeled scooters which appeared around 2000 Kickboards Jahrhunderthalle Probe Zauberflote 04-09-03.JPG
Two-wheeled, three-wheeled and four-wheeled scooters which appeared around 2000

A kick scooter (also referred to as a push-scooter orscooter) is a human-powered street vehicle with a handlebar, deck, and wheels propelled by a rider pushing off the ground with their leg. Today the most common scooters are made of aluminum, titanium, and steel. Some kick scooters made for younger children have 3 to 4 wheels (but most common ones have 2 wheels) and are made of plastic and do not fold. High-performance kickbikes are also made. [1] A company that had once made the Razor Scooters revitalized the design in the mid-nineties and early two-thousands. Three-wheel models where the frame forks into two decks are known as Y scooters or trikkes.

Contents

Motorized scooters, historically powered by internal combustion engines, and more recently electric motors, are self-propelled kick scooters capable of speeds sometimes exceeding 30 km/h (19 mph).

Models and history

An early kick scooter in Diest, Belgium, 1936. Photo by Leon van Dievoet. 1936 avril 7 Lismonde dessinant eglise de Diest (photo Leon van Dievoet).jpg
An early kick scooter in Diest, Belgium, 1936. Photo by Léon van Dievoet.

Early scooters

Wooden scooter with a pair of roller skates Antique scooter 3551872006 2bb76c7e88 z.jpg
Wooden scooter with a pair of roller skates

Kick scooters have been handmade in industrial urban areas in Europe and the United States since the 1920s or earlier, often as toys made for children to roam the streets. [2] One common home-made version is made by attaching roller skate wheelsets to a board with some kind of handle, usually an old box. [3] [ unreliable source? ] To turn, riders can lean or use a second board connected by a crude pivot. The construction was all wood, with 3–4 inch (75–100 mm) wheels containing steel ball bearings. An additional advantage of this construction was a loud noise, like from a "real" vehicle. An alternative construction consists of one steel clamp on a roller skate divided into front and rear parts and attached to a wood beam.

The German Bundesarchiv for "roller" details that both homemade and manufactured children's scooters were used and even raced in Paris, Berlin and Leipzig in 1930, 1948 and 1951.[ citation needed ] They are similar to later designs.

The short movie "A Trip Through the Streets of Amsterdam" from 1922 shows several children on scooters. [4]

Kick scooter

In 1974, the Honda company made the Kick 'n Go  [ ja ], a scooter driven by a pedal on a lever. [5] While it seemed to be as much effort to "kick" as a regular scooter, the novelty of it caught on and it became popular nevertheless. [6]

Pneumatic tires

Before bicycles became popular among children, steel scooters with two small bicycle wheels were more common. Around 1987, many BMX manufacturers produced BMX-like scooters, such as Scoot. [7] Those manufacturers discontinued their scooters, but some scooter manufacturers were established in later years and remain in business. These scooters are still used in dense urban areas for utility purposes, since they are faster than a folding scooter. Some are made for off-road use and are described as mountain scooters. In addition to commuting, sports competition, and off-road use, large wheel scooters are a favorite for dog scootering, an activity in which single or team dogs, such as huskies, pull a scooter and its rider in the same way that a sled is pulled across snow. Some Amish do not want to ride bicycles, so they ride scooters instead. [8] Today, variations on the kicksled with scooter design features are also available, such as the Kickspark. [9]

Kickbike

2015 Toscana.jpg
Modern kickbike
1924-71 Ladies Hobby Horse.jpg
A similar vehicle had been produced by Denis Johnson in 1819

The development of the kickbike in Finland in 1994 changed the way scooters are viewed.[ citation needed ] The Kickbike has a large standard size bicycle front wheel and a much smaller rear wheel, which allows for a much faster ride. The Footbike Eurocup has been held since 2001. [10]

Folding scooters

Children on scooters

In 1990, a foldable aluminium scooter with inline skates wheels was created by Wim Ouboter [11] of Micro Mobility Systems in Switzerland. [12] [13] [ better source needed ] The scooter was sold as "Micro Skate Scooter," "Razor," and "JDBUG/JDRAZOR MS-130A". [14] The Razor was introduced to Japan in 1999, with many early adopters being young Japanese who used it for portable transport. It later became a worldwide fad and these small scooters also became popular toys for children. [15] TurboAnt's folding scooters are known for their detachable battery designs. It's electric scooters have a range of between 18 and 30 miles. [16]

Pro scooters

Children on stunt scooters Stunt Scooter.jpg
Children on stunt scooters

Kick scooters used for extreme sport are called pro scooters. They are specially made to withstand damage as the rider performs stunts and tricks. Numerous brands specialize in stunt scooters and accessories including lightweight and high strength parts, helmets, pads, ramps, grind wax, griptape, grips, bearings and clothing. [17]

Three wheels

A three-wheeled K2 Kickboard Kickboard 208640310 fcd4f3ff29 z.jpg
A three-wheeled K2 Kickboard

Three-wheeled scooters similar to tricycles have been produced for little children. [18]

In 1999, Micro Mobility Systems and K2 Sports produced a reverse-three-wheeled scooter called "Kickboard". Micro also produced the Kickboard-like children's scooters "Mini Micro" and "Maxi Micro". The reverse design inherently provides greater stability than the standard: a standing person will tend to stand at the front of a scooter rather than at the back. However, the steering geometry is inherently weak and requires design adaptation to improve its response. An example is the Mini Micro, which uses a spring-loaded system to translate lateral force on the handbars (child leaning) into turning motion on the wheels, referred by its makers as "lean and steer".

Four wheels

A Fuzion-like scooter Four-wheeled scooter on the street.jpg
A Fuzion-like scooter

The early scooters, which were made with roller skates, were four-wheeled like skateboards.

Around 2000, a Swiss company produced a four-wheeled scooter called the "Wetzer Stickboard". The Wetzer Stickboard was a narrow skateboard with a foldable pole on the nose. [19]

In 2006, a company called Nextsport started producing a line of four-wheeled scooters, known as Fuzions. The scooters are typically bigger and heavier than Razor and Micro models. The early Fuzion models come with large, wide wheels, and an oversized deck for stability. Later scooters such as the Fuzion NX included smaller and harder wheels. It also included 360 degree handlebar spinning capabilities, unlike its predecessors.

Electric kick scooters

Riding an electric kick scooter in Berlin (2014) Female rider on Egret One eScooter.jpg
Riding an electric kick scooter in Berlin (2014)

Electric models achieved popularity over their gas-powered counter parts in the early 2000. [20] They are often manufactured for fleet rentals, such as Lime e-scooters. Kick scooter has also made a certain contribution to environmental protection. Because they do not emit greenhouse gases, reduce traffic congestion and reduce the need for public transportation. These electric kick scooters have huge potential to be one of the most environmentally friendly means of transportation. [21] [22]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xootr</span> American folding kick scooter manufacturer

Xootr is a manufacturer of folding kick scooters and was formerly a seller of folding bicycles. Xootr scooters are characterized by 180mm wheels with aluminum hubs, and a hand brake for the front wheel. One defining feature of Xootr scooters is the relatively large wheels they are equipped with, as well as the hinge system, which uses a pin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Single-track vehicle</span>

A single-track vehicle is a vehicle that leaves a single ground track as it moves forward. Single-track vehicles usually have little or no lateral stability when stationary but develop it when moving forward or controlled. In the case of wheeled vehicles, the front and rear wheel usually follow slightly different paths when turning or when out of alignment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trikke</span>

The Trikke is a chainless, pedalless, personal vehicle with a three-wheel frame. The rider stands on two foot platforms above the two rear wheels and steers the vehicle with handlebars attached to the lone front wheel. The cambering system is designed to provide a stable, three-point platform that lets the rider lean into turns while all three wheels remain in contact with the ground. There are several variations of the Trikke, from body-powered fitness machines, to battery-powered transportation and personal mobility vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Razor (scooter)</span> Model of scooter

The Razor Scooter is a compact folding scooter developed by Micro Mobility Systems and manufactured by JD Corporation. Over 5 million units were sold in the six months following the launch of the first Razor scooter in 2000, and it was named as Spring/Summer Toy of the Year that same year. The first electric Razor scooter was released in 2003. Today, the Razor is manufactured by RazorUSA, based in Cerritos, California, in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kickbike</span> Type of scooter

A kickbike is a type of kick scooter and is a human-powered street vehicle with a handlebar, deck, and wheels propelled by a rider pushing off the ground. The kickbike often has a large standard size bicycle front wheel and a much smaller rear wheel, which allows for a much faster ride.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Motorized scooter</span> Powered stand-up scooter

A motorized scooter is a stand-up scooter powered by either a small internal combustion engine or electric hub motor in its front and/or rear wheel. Classified as a form of micro-mobility, they are generally designed with a large center deck on which the rider stands. The first motorized scooter was manufactured by Autoped in 1915.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mini125</span> Portable bicycle designed by Giuseppe and Paolo Ganio

The Mini125 is a design of portable bicycle. The current production features four models that have the same frame design but different wheels. The standard model weighs 5.9 kg, folds into a 73 cm × 36 cm × 22 cm package and has polyurethane wheels of diameter 125 mm or 110 mm. The gear assembly is typical of city bikes, while the transmission uses a minimoto chain and pinion. Mini125 is marketed under the MDEbikes brand and was released and presented at the 2003 Handmade Bicycle Show of Tokyo. The bike is designed and developed by Giuseppe and Paolo Ganio of Turin, Italy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Skateboard</span> Wheeled wooden board used for skateboarding

A skateboard is a type of sports equipment used for skateboarding. It is usually made of a specially designed 7–8-ply maple plywood deck and has polyurethane wheels attached to the underside by a pair of skateboarding trucks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freestyle scootering</span> Sport discipline

Freestyle scootering is an extreme sport that involves using kick scooters to perform freestyle tricks. This is done mainly in skateparks but also in urban environments on obstacles such as stairs, hand rails and curbs. Freestyle scootering gained popularity following the Razor craze in the early 2000s after the invention of the foldable aluminium scooter by Micro Mobility Systems in 1999. Since then the construction of pro scooters have progressed immensely, making it a big business with many brands solely focusing on creating trick scooters worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scooter (motorcycle)</span> Low-speed motorcycle

A scooter is a motorcycle with an underbone or step-through frame, a seat, a transmission that shifts without the operator having to operate a clutch lever, a platform for the rider's feet, and with a method of operation that emphasizes comfort and fuel economy. Elements of scooter design were present in some of the earliest motorcycles, and motor scooters have been made since at least 1914. More recently, scooters have evolved to include scooters exceeding 250cc classified as Maxi-scooters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Folding bicycle</span> Bicycle designed to fold into a compact form

A folding bicycle is a bicycle designed to fold into a compact form, facilitating transport and storage. When folded, the bikes can be more easily carried into buildings, on public transportation, and more easily stored in compact living quarters or aboard a car, boat or plane.

Razor USA LLC, better known as Razor, is an American designer and manufacturer of manual and electric scooters, bicycles, and personal transporters. The company was founded in Cerritos, California in 2000 by Carlton Calvin and the JD Corporation. Razor also owns the RipStik, Sole Skate, and Pocket Pros brands.

Micro Mobility Systems Ltd, known as Micro, is a Swiss company that produces urban vehicles such as kickscooters and the Microlino, a small electric car which was first presented at the Geneva Motor Show in 2016. In the United States, Micro's products are sold under the brand "Micro Kickboard" for trademark reasons. The company holds several patents for its products.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human-powered land vehicle</span>

Human-powered land vehicles are land vehicles propelled over ground by human power, The main ways to support the weight of a human-powered land vehicle and its contents above the ground are rolling contact; sliding contact; intermittent contact; no contact at all as with anything carried; or some combination of the above. The main methods of using human power to propel a land vehicle are some kind of drivetrain; pushing laterally against the ground with a wheel, skate, or ski that simultaneously moves forward; by pushing against the ground directly with an appendage opposite to the direction of travel; or by propeller. Human-powered land vehicles can be propelled by persons riding in the vehicle or by persons walking or running and not supported by the vehicle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Personal transporter</span> Ridable small motorised road vehicles

A personal transporter is any of a class of compact, mostly recent, motorised micromobility vehicle for transporting an individual at speeds that do not normally exceed 25 km/h (16 mph). They include electric skateboards, kick scooters, self-balancing unicycles and Segways, as well as gasoline-fueled motorised scooters or skateboards, typically using two-stroke engines of less than 49 cc (3.0 cu in) displacement. Many newer versions use recent advances in vehicle battery and motor-control technologies. They are growing in popularity, and legislators are in the process of determining how these devices should be classified, regulated and accommodated during a period of rapid innovation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scoot Networks</span>

Scoot Networks, also known as just Scoot or Scoot Rides, is an American company which provides public electric scooter and electric bicycle sharing systems. The company is based in San Francisco, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Micromobility</span> Modes of transport involving very light vehicles

Micromobility refers to a range of small, lightweight vehicles, driven by users personally. Micromobility devices include bicycles, e-bikes, electric scooters, electric skateboards, shared bicycle fleets, and electric pedal assisted (pedelec) bicycles.

Micro Scooters Limited is an importer and retailer of a range of children’s and adult scooters, based in London. The company was founded in 2004 by marine lawyer Anna Gibson and charity fundraiser Philippa Gogarty.

References

  1. ↑ "Kick dictionary definition – kick defined". Archived from the original on 2016-09-18. Retrieved 2015-11-13.
  2. ↑ There is a scene of this in Fritz Lang's 1931 classic M.
  3. ↑ "Skateboarding – Skateboarding Games". crazyskateboardinggames.com. Archived from the original on 2012-05-27. Retrieved 2012-06-28.
  4. ↑ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine : "1922 – A Trip Through the Streets of Amsterdam (speed corrected w/ added sound)". YouTube .
  5. ↑ "Honda Kick-n-Go Scooter". Honda Kick-n-Go Scooter.
  6. ↑ "1974 Honda Kick 'N' Go". Old Bike.
  7. ↑ GT Zoot Scoot, Mongoose Pro Miniscoot, and SE Racing Rad Scoot.
  8. ↑ "How do Amish travel?". amishamerica.com. 23 August 2010.
  9. ↑ "Kickbike Worldwide". Kickspark MAX kicksled.
  10. ↑ Eurocup race results, IKSA world, 2001, archived from the original on 2011-07-13.
  11. ↑ "Micro Mobility Systems:Realizing the Scooter Dream" (PDF). 2011-07-07. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-07. Retrieved 2020-11-05.
  12. ↑ "The Micro Scooter History". YouTube. 15 December 2011. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21.
  13. ↑ "Inventor of the micro scooter". The Guardian. 2002-03-31..
  14. ↑ JDRAZOR MS-130A, JD Japan, archived from the original on 2010-08-31.
  15. ↑ "culture.bicycle.birdybike.general – Folding Scooter Story – msg#00015 – Recent Discussion OSDir.com". osdir.com. Archived from the original on 2012-03-20.
  16. ↑ "X7 Pro electric scooter review". GSMArena.com. Retrieved 2022-07-28.
  17. ↑ "SkateHut". About Us. Archived from the original on 2019-09-04. Retrieved 2019-09-04.
  18. ↑ "Scooter Review Online". Best 3 Wheel Scooters – Guide to Get the Right Model for kids and Adults!. 26 June 2020.
  19. ↑ "WGD /WGD Awards /red dot award".
  20. ↑ "The History of The Motorized Electric Scooter". February 2010. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  21. ↑ Gist, William (2021-01-14). "How Environmental Are Electric Scooters". DemotiX. Retrieved 2022-07-28.
  22. ↑ M, Peter (2020-12-12). "7 Benefits Of Electric Scooters For Commuting – 2022 Guide". Ubuntu Manual. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
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