How to Ride an Electric Skateboard? – Beginner’s Guide

The electric skateboard is the sustainable ecological shift of traditional skateboard sport for aspiring audiences. If you are a newbie learning to skateboard or an expert in traditional skateboard sport trying out the electrical skateboard experience, you have come to the right place to learn how to skateboard electronically.

You may have challenges practicing the skateboarding, but they are pretty agile and straightforward to use. If you are nostalgic for the stunts you did with the old skate, you have time and want to try its modern version, or are curious to know how to turn on a skateboard, read our guide to learn how to ride the electric skateboard. 

How to Ride an Electric Skateboard – Getting Started

How to Ride an Electric Skateboard

Skateboards are available in various models, sizes, and shapes, so what type of skateboard you want depends on your choice for skateboards, including cruising, longboards, electric skateboards, or traditional street or skateparks. For sustainable ecological transport, learn to ride an electric skateboard.

If you haven’t learned skateboard or longboard before, it is best to learn how to stand on a skateboard, turn on a skateboard, and learn the basics of skateboarding. Before virtually jumping on the board and understanding how to use it, let’s try to clarify what is an electric skateboard and how to ride an electric skateboard.

Main Features of Electric Skateboards

As we have already anticipated, the electric skateboard is an entirely new model, even if it maintains precisely the same structural characteristics as the classic one. It has an upper part of the board to rest the feet and small wheels.

However, the bottom part has a connection with the engine, which lets it move on almost any surface, therefore on the city, country, or, in any case, preferably flat roads.

Main Features of Electric Skateboards

You may also notice that, in the front, there are motion sensors, which mainly serve to regulate the speed of the electric skateboard, and more often than not, they also have a small hook at the base to hang the vehicle on the wall, when it is not needed.

Usually, you will find solutions in different materials, i.e., wood, metal, or alloys in the market. Some skateboards are light due to carbon in them.

Next, if you want to practice, read this handy tutorial on how to ride a skateboard. 

  • Things to follow before getting on the electric skateboard
  • Go for electrical experience skateboard
  •  Train for acceleration tricks with an electric skateboard
  • Reversing or braking on an electric skateboard
  • Ensure turning on an electric skateboard
  • How to ensure safety before you skateboard

You may also want to know the difference between onewheel and electric skateboard.

Step 1. What to Do Before Getting on the Electric Skateboard

The basics to start skateboarding for beginners include the following tips.

1. Figure Out Default Skateboarding Position

Before setting off, you must first ensure that the front of the machine, also called the “nose,” points in the direction you want to go. A nose check is essential to avoid being surprised and avoid unnecessary accidents with the best electric skateboard.

You might have observed that most electric skateboards have an asymmetrical design that doesn’t allow you to differentiate between nose and tail. To distinguish them, start the device and move it forward using the remote control.

As soon the machine moves forward, it logically moves forward. It is noted that this maneuver also makes it possible to check whether the electric board responds correctly to the driving commands transmitted by the remote control.

Either way, you may still be bothered by the question of which skateboarding you want to take as your “normal” position. If nothing else, it will be excellent for when you are surfing, because you will not get tired of one leg. There is no regulation for skateboarding, so you can learn tricks in any order you want.

2. Figure out Default Safety Measure

Speaking of safety, especially when you first experience learning to skateboard, it can happen to fall: no matter how much attention you pay! Think of safety, for it gives you the ability to move without the hassle of pushing or hurting yourself.

  • A safe Helmet
  • Perfect Skate shoes.
  • Comfortable Skateboarding elbow pads
  • Skateboarding knee pads
  • Skate Gloves

The electric skateboard is not a toy, so handle it carefully. If all of the safety equipment may seem too bulky to you, at least don’t leave without your helmet.

For beginners, it’s highly recommended to choose an affordable electric skateboard.

Step 2. How to Start Your Ride on the Electric Skateboard

It may take a week or two to get to grips with the basics of skateboarding if you are a new learner. For an expert learner, electric skateboarding will be more accessible. If you are a newbie with the electric skateboard, you will take some time to know how to stand on a skateboard.

Stand comfortably on the traditional skateboard before learning to skateboard electronically. Check out if you are a regular rider OR Goofy rider.

To achieve this, put your feet on the electric skateboard at the same time. Before moving forward, make sure you find the position that makes you most comfortable, both feet and body position.

Stand comfortably on your skateboard. Your right foot facing forward; if it rides the skate, that is a regular ride.  Riding your skateboard with your left foot facing forward makes you goofy.

3 Methods to recognize if you are goofy or are a regular rider

There are three ways to understand how comfortable you will be on your board and whether you ride a goofy or a regular. Check out the following three methods to recognize if you are goofy or are a regular rider:

3 Methods to recognize if you are goofy or are a regular rider

1. Ball Method

Place a ball on the ground before you and kick it with whichever foot you want naturally. The foot with which you kicked the ball becomes your back foot that would rest on the skateboard. Your balancing foot will go front, and the foot with which you kicked the ball rests on the skateboard.

2. Step or Ladder Method

Now try to climb up a ladder and remember which foot you took as the first step. The foot that first goes up the ladder should be your backfoot to rest on the skateboard. 

3. Makeup of friends

Stand with both feet close together. Ask another friend to push you from behind in a safe manner. Notice or remember the balancing foot that prevented you from falling; use that foot to rest on the skateboard. 

If all these tricks tell you that you have a steady pace, but you like to be foolish, then pedal.

Step 3: How to Move forward with the Electric Skateboard

Use an electric skate when you already know how to ride a skateboard. If you can already do longboard or classic skateboard, many things are familiar to practice like other sustainable means of transport such as hoverboard or gyro. Electronic skateboard lets you change direction and maintain balance due to gyro technology. 

The benefit of an electric skateboard is its spontaneous stability, easy operation, and balanced wheels. You have a wireless remote control to control speed; you have an option to coast if you want to switch off the engine. When you switch off the electrical system, you can traditionally ride your skateboard.

The most significant differences appear at two crucial points:

1. Starting the Electric Skateboard

Some skaters have a hard time figuring out whether they should skate smoothly or silly. Maybe you are the same, but with your feet. Do what feels natural or agile. It would help if you did not push or press hard to accelerate the board forward, and you don’t need to lift your foot from the board.

The remote control lets you decide what speed to adopt, so you don’t have to accelerate initially or when you are not ready to go. Prepare yourself bore accelerating, adjusting your weight backward and bending your knees, and leaning forward to shift weight on your right foot. 

2. Stopping the Electric Skateboard

Stopping couldn’t be more accessible with the remote control. Modern electric skateboards have smooth braking; therefore, you can feel secure and don’t have to worry about hurting yourself.

Some electric skateboards have regenerative braking so that the power partially recovers in the battery during deceleration. They may be less flexible and heavier because of electronics. It’s not bothersome in the sense that you don’t have to carry the weight.

However, what can be painful is when you run out of power, and the electric skateboard will no longer be able to roll. 

Moreover, the configuration of the remote control depends on each model. Most often, it has a joystick that you have to push forward to move forward. To start, push lightly on it to avoid taking too much speed.

Step 4: How to Brake or Reverse with the Electric Skateboard

To break, you reverse the action, which means pushing the joystick or throttle back. Your body weight shifts forward when braking, therefore bend your knees, squat a bit down and lean somewhat backward. Use your front foot for braking.

Do you want to stop while skateboarding without getting hurt? The steps outlined below will teach you the most common techniques.

1. While in motion, place your front foot on the bindings.

2. Place your front foot in such a position that its toes are pointing towards the nose of the board.

3. Lift your back foot off the board and place it very slowly on the ground, slowly increasing the pressure until you come to a stop.

4. While in motion, place your foot on the front trucks, with the side facing the tail, and perform a manual

5. Squeeze on the tail so that it touches the ground lightly.

6. Continue to put pressure gently on the back of the board until the board stops.

7. The power slide (force slide) is the most challenging way to stop at the beginning and the most effective at the same time. All you have to do is place your front foot on the part of the board corresponding to the bindings in your kick turn direction (180 ° standing).

8. Then you will need to put your back foot on the tail to give the board a slight push. Now put your weight on your back foot and throw it forward by leaning slightly backward.

9. Then, return your hips to their starting position to continue straight, ensuring you don’t turn completely over.

10. As with all tricks and moves on the skateboard, it’s best to practice standing first and then start doing them on the go.

In the long run, the tail method will wear down the back of the board, making it less resistant and more dangerous.

The power slide will wear out the wheels in the long run. The softer they are, the faster they will wear out. Power slide is challenging to learn at first and requires very smooth wheels. Rubber, especially urethane wheels, are pretty smooth, so using a nylon set may be more difficult.

If you have not positioned your foot correctly before trying the tail method, the board may fly out from under you.

The shoe method, in the long run, will wear out your back foot shoe. You could get pretty injured if you don’t correctly stop with the shoe.

Regarding the reverse gear, it will still depend on the configuration of the remote control designed by the manufacturer.

Note: The remote control may, at certain times, interfere with the driver, especially beginners. Therefore, the electronic skateboard models have an intuitive starting and braking system. This system allows you to move forward or stop by simply detecting the pilot's movement. So, when the latter leans forward, the electronic skateboard moves forward. It stops when the driver leans back. You could get pretty injured if you don't correctly stop with the shoe or remote control. 

Step 5:  How to Turn on Electric Skateboard 

It may take a week or two to get to grips on how to turn on a skateboard.

Changing the direction and negotiating the bends everything requires weight transfer in skateboarding. In other words, you do as with a classic skateboard. You shift your weight to the right to turn to that direction and vice versa to turn to the left. Practice turning on your electric skateboard if you want to cruise around stably.

Step 6: How to Practice Electric Skateboard Riding

How to Practice Electric Skateboard Riding

1. Practice on a flat surface

Try practicing on a flat surface. Maintain a balance and lower the center of gravity to ride smoothly. Control your speed, different models have different speed limits, and as soon as you cross the speed, they will warn you.

To control the speed safely, you can use the remote control of the electric skateboard.

2. Not ideal to use at home

Electric skateboard is not a product to be used at home because it cannot turn in tight corners compared to the hoverboard.

However, it manages to go without problems on asphalt and slightly crumpled terrain.

3. Select the correct skateboard model

Some skateboard models are more suitable for fast-moving. In contrast, others are made for freestyle, performing stunts and skill tricks, and buying the wrong model can put out an otherwise potentially sincere and lasting passion in the bud. The scenario is that even within a particular category of skateboarding, there is no shortage of differences.

Several essential characteristics differentiate tables of the same type: from bearings – divided according to the ABEC classification system – to the materials that make up the table and wheels, and much more.

Step 7: Tips to ride skateboard safely

As you know, since it is a board sport, accidents on skates can take on dramatic proportions. Safety is a point that you should think of when it comes to practicing this discipline.

Follow these additional tips for safety:

1. Never get on a skateboard without taking the trouble to wear at least one helmet, and putting on extra protection such as gloves that protect the wrists, elbow pads, and knee pads are not a luxury. A broken wrist quickly happens in the event of a poorly received fall.

2. Protecting your head at all times is essential protection before learning to skateboard, whether you are an expert or an expert

3. Also, don’t forget that longboards are capable of going at high speeds. Electric skateboards can be a friendly and comfortable way to get around but use them regularly to enjoy them.

4. To turn the skateboard, apply pressure down one side of the board, lean in the same direction, and turn quickly in a safe manner. 

5. Train for braking techniques and practice enough for emergency braking. You only need emergency braking when your standard electric braking doesn’t work due to low battery or any other reason to avoid the worst crashes. 

6. The most important thing is to be rigorous and patient in skateboard learning. Don’t run until you can walk, and everything should be fine.

7. The electrical components also make the device more fragile than average, convenient for moving around, but far from the philosophy of using other types.

8. The electric skateboard has motors and batteries that thrust the foot extra but at the same time make the board a heavy instrument, even several kilos, impossible to lift from the ground with the sole push of the foot.

9. The longboards have stability, a bulkier and more rigid structure, and more extensive mechanics and soft wheels that adhere to the asphalt. On the other hand, the same characteristics make it the less suitable board for freestyle than the electric skateboards. 

10. If you are an experienced skater, electric boards give you the ability to move without the hassle of pushing. In addition, even jumping off long descents is made more reassuring thanks to the integrated braking system. Beginner riders should invest in a motorized skateboard with reliable brakes and a slower top speed.

We recommend vital skateboarding protection to enjoy skateboarding without hurting yourself. Are you curious to find out how to use an electric skateboard, taking advantage of the features and its advantages even in the city? 

We are also talking about electric skateboards, which in truth, are ideal for young and old, even in winter or autumn, when a more innovative and sustainable vehicle is preferred instead of the classic car or motorcycle. Whenever the good weather arrives and therefore summer or spring, together comes the desire to spend a few hours outdoors, enjoy the sun’s warmth, and learn how to carve electric skateboards.

Final Remarks on Electric Skateboard Riding Guide

Finally, the best-selling electric skateboard has little to do with more traditional solutions, although it still retains its structure with four wheels and the platform to climb on to control the vehicle. We have discussed the advantages and suggested various methods to understand how to start skateboarding or which model to choose?

With the ever-increasing convergence between technology and the most common aspects of our daily life, it is no wonder that even skateboards have become motorized.

Like any individual mode of transportation, learning to use an electric skateboard takes time and training. The difference with a traditional board is considerable, so even if you are an experienced rider, it will still take some time to get used to it. These boards are a perfect alternative to public transport as they are small, portable, and simple enough to transport once you arrive at your destination.

Pushing yourself with a traditional board can be tiring, especially if you have to cover long distances. Using an electric skateboard is much more comfortable, and once you have a good level of experience, even relaxing.

Except for some models, practically all models come with remote control with which you can precisely control your speed via a push button. Being able to travel on many surfaces, they are excellent for commuting from home to work, mainly thanks to the possibility of quickly escaping traditional traffic.

Electric skateboards take up significantly less space than two-wheeled vehicles such as bicycles, which instead need to be tied with locks and often cumbersome chains to be kept safe.

Always keep all possible factors in mind when choosing your electric skateboard or learning to skateboard. Spend some time practicing the best electric skateboard and try out the models that interest you. 

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