How to choose a kick scooter

Kick scooters range from small three-wheelers for preschoolers to large-wheeled models for adult commuters. Prices and quality vary widely. Because there's no Australian Standard for kick scooters, as the Better Health Channel points out, the buyer has to judge quality. This guide gives you a practical checklist, whether you're buying for a child or yourself.

This guide is general information written in our own words, based on the official sources listed at the end. It isn't legal or medical advice. Road rules and e-scooter trials change, and councils can put up local signs that override the general rules, so check the current rules with Transport for NSW and follow any signs where you ride. We don't review or recommend particular brands or shops.

Start with how it will be used

Before looking at models, think about:

• Who will ride it? A young child, an older child, a teenager or an adult. Consider their height, weight and experience.
• Where? Smooth footpaths, rough suburban paths, a skate park or a commute that includes trains and buses.
• How far? A short trip to the park, or several kilometres each day.
• Storage and carrying. Will it need to fold, and how heavy is too heavy to carry up stairs?

The safety checklist

Raising Children Network suggests checking these safety features when choosing a scooter:

• Working brakes. Most kick scooters have a rear foot brake that presses on the back wheel. It should be easy to reach and work firmly.
• No sharp edges. Run your hand over the deck, clamp and handlebar ends.
• A handlebar column that locks into place. The folding and height-adjustment clamps should lock securely with no wobble.
• Handle grips. Grips should be firmly fixed and the bar ends capped.
• An anti-skid deck. A grippy surface helps feet stay in place.

A bell is also useful for warning pedestrians on paths.

Build quality

Better Health Channel warns that cheaper scooters may have dangerous design flaws, such as flimsy folding mechanisms that give way under pressure and sharp edges, and advises avoiding cheaply made scooters. Signs of good build quality include a sturdy folding clamp with a secondary lock, a solid stem that doesn't flex, smooth-spinning wheels with sealed bearings, and clear instructions with a maximum rider weight.

Matching the scooter to the rider

Better Health Channel advises choosing a design that matches the rider's weight, motor skills and physical development. In practice:

• Handlebar height. The handlebars should sit roughly at hip to waist height when the rider stands on the deck. Adjustable stems let a scooter grow with a child.
• Maximum rider weight. Check the manufacturer's limit, and stay within it.
• Deck size. The deck should fit both feet comfortably, one in front of the other.
• Weight of the scooter. A child needs to be able to steer and carry their scooter.

Three wheels or two?

Three-wheeled scooters, with two wheels at the front or back, are more stable for young children learning balance. Many steer by leaning. Two-wheeled scooters are lighter and faster, and suit children with good balance. Remember that Better Health Channel says child safety experts regard scooters as an inappropriate toy for children under eight, so if a young child rides, supervision and gear are essential.

Wheels

Wheel size makes a big difference. Better Health Channel notes that small scooter wheels are easily stopped by rough surfaces, which makes losing control quite likely. Larger wheels roll more smoothly over cracks and bumps. Polyurethane wheels are standard; softer wheels grip and cushion better, harder wheels roll faster and last longer. For adults on suburban footpaths, larger wheels are generally more comfortable. See our adult and commuter scooters guide.

Stunt scooters

Stunt or trick scooters are built for skate parks. They usually have fixed (non-folding) bars, small hard wheels and strong decks. They're tough but less comfortable for long rides.

Buying second-hand

A second-hand scooter can be good value, but check it carefully: test the brake, check for cracks around the clamp, stem and deck, spin the wheels for wobble or grinding, and make sure the folding mechanism locks. Never buy a second-hand helmet, as Raising Children Network advises.

Product recalls

Before buying, and from time to time after, check the ACCC's Product Safety Australia website for recalls of scooters and helmets. You can search by product type.

Don't forget the gear

Budget for a certified helmet and wrist, elbow and knee guards at the same time. See our helmets guide.

A quick in-store test

If you can, test the scooter before buying. Fold and unfold it, checking the clamp locks firmly. Adjust the handlebar height. Stand on the deck and check it doesn't flex. Push down on the brake. Lift and spin each wheel. Twist the handlebars against the front wheel. Check grips and bar ends. Ask about spare parts, such as wheels and brakes, and the warranty.

Questions to ask the seller

Useful questions include: what's the maximum rider weight? Are spare wheels, bearings and brakes available? What's the warranty, and what does it cover? Does the folding clamp have a secondary lock? Is the scooter suitable for the rider's age and size? A good seller will answer clearly and let you try the scooter.

Try the "Where can I ride?" checker

Our free ride checker lets you choose a kick scooter, a private e-scooter or a shared e-scooter, then pick a place, such as a footpath, shared path or road, and the time of day. It shows what the general NSW rules say, with a link to the official source. It runs entirely in your browser, and nothing you choose is sent anywhere. It's a guide only: local signs and changes to the rules always take priority.

Where our information comes from

Factual statements in our guides are based on official and authoritative sources, including Transport for NSW, the NSW Road Rules 2014, the NSW Government's e-scooter pages, Fire and Rescue NSW, the ACCC's Product Safety Australia, the Better Health Channel and Raising Children Network. We link to each source at the end of the page and write everything in our own words. We don't invent statistics, fines or prices, and where official sources disagree or change, we say so.

Rules change

Road rules, fines and e-scooter trials change from time to time. The NSW Government has said it's exploring options to change the rules for e-scooters, and trial sites open and close. Councils can also add local signs that ban scooters in particular places. Before relying on any rule, check the current information from Transport for NSW and follow the signs where you ride.

Riding with others in mind

Footpaths and shared paths belong to everyone. Riding at a sensible speed, keeping left, giving way to pedestrians and walking when it's busy make scooters welcome on Sydney's paths. Every rider who rides considerately helps keep paths open to scooters, and makes it easier for children to keep scooting to school and the park.

A note for parents and carers

Children learn by watching adults. If you ride a scooter or bicycle, wear your helmet, keep left, slow down near people and walk across roads. Talk about the rules as you go. Transport for NSW's Safety on Wheels information for parents is a helpful starting point, and Raising Children Network has practical advice on bike, scooter and skateboard safety.

Corrections and feedback

We review our guides against their sources and show the date each page was last checked. If you notice something out of date or incorrect, such as a change to the road rules or e-scooter trials, please tell us through our contact page. We read every message and correct mistakes promptly.

Key points

• There's no Australian Standard for kick scooters, so check quality yourself.
• Check brakes, sharp edges, a locking column, grips and an anti-skid deck.
• Avoid flimsy folding mechanisms and cheaply made scooters.
• Match handlebar height, deck size and weight limit to the rider.
• Larger wheels handle rough paths better; check for recalls before buying.