6 Best Street Legal Electric Scooters: Find a Scooter For Your State

Test Criteria:

Legality Factors

Following my extensive research of the laws and regulations of each state, it became apparent that the legality of electric scooters was determined by three factors:

• Scooter Requirements – These include maximum top speeds and restrictions on motor power, as well as the diameter of a scooter’s wheels, its weight, lights, and brakes.
• Rider Requirements – These include registrations, licenses, insurance, minimum ages, and helmet requirements.
• Where You Can Ride – Depending on your state, there are varying regulations for where you can ride an electric scooter. For instance, some states ban riding on sidewalks, while others let you ride on roads that have speed limits of 35 mph.

Using the factors above, I assessed every electric scooter in my 140+ database to shortlist 29 models that met the legality criteria. During the selection process, I based my assessment of them against the scooter requirements of each state. Following this, I tested the scooters to identify the top performers (see the tests completed below).

Top Speed

Top speed is the most important factor that’s used to regulate electric scooters. Based on my research, there were 4 common speed limits – including 15, 20, 25, and 30 mph.

For instance, in California, electric scooters can be ridden legally so long as they don’t exceed 15 mph.

For more information about the speed limits in each state, view the table below.

To identify the legality of each scooter per state, I tested their top speeds. Here, I made sure that their tires were inflated to the recommended PSI, their batteries were fully charged, and their performance settings were dialed up to the max. I then pushed them to their limits on a long, dry stretch of road.

*For states where there are no clear guidelines I'm unable to recommend specific scooters. However, if you're going to buy an electric scooter regardless, then I advise you to choose a model with a top speed of around 15 mph (i.e. the Turboant M10 Lite or NIU KQi2 Pro). 

Acceleration

While top speed was an important indicator of performance, acceleration measured how exciting each scooter was to ride.

To test acceleration, I conducted 3x two-way directional runs across 2 intervals (0-15 mph, and where applicable, 0-25 mph) on a flat, dry road. The data from the runs was then averaged.

To establish accurate results, I made sure to have each scooter fully charged with their performance settings dialed up to the max and their tires pumped up to the recommended PSI. Where possible, zero-start modes were enabled.

Maximum & Real-World Range

While maximum range is a baseline performance metric that’s useful for benchmarking scooters against each other, it doesn’t paint the full picture of a scooter’s ability to keep its wheels rolling.

Maximum range, as indicated by the manufacturer, refers to the mileage when ridden under best-case conditions. Often, this includes a 165 lb rider, flat terrain, and riding in the slowest setting.

To counter this, I reported on how each scooter performed under real-world conditions – including me as a 190 lb rider, periods of fast acceleration, cruising, and multiple stops.

Ride Quality

To determine the ride quality of each scooter I reported on their handling and comfort.

While this is an all-encompassing measurement that takes into account all aspects of the scooter’s design and performance, it’s inherently subjective. However, I also gathered quantitative data to assess each model on a level playing field.

Here, I measured the width of their handlebars, the deck-to-handlebar height, and the usable deck space. The top performers had wide handlebars that promised good control, high deck-to-handlebar heights that allowed for a comfortable riding position, and decks with enough space to accommodate a natural riding stance.

Following this, I measured the angle of the steering columns (otherwise known as the rake angle). The smaller the angle, the less effort required to turn the handlebars, but the less stable the scooter. Conversely, larger angles required more effort to turn but made the scooter more stable at higher speeds. During my assessments, I made sure to select the scooters that hit the sweet spot between the two to maintain both stability and maneuverability.

Then, to assess comfort, I reported on the shock-absorbing capabilities of each scooter’s tires and suspension. For models that had suspension, I assessed the balance of shock absorption across the scooter, the rebound and compression rates of the shocks/springs, and the amount of travel. All of these insights were then combined to create an overall shock absorption score. The scoring system ranged from 1-10, with 1 being extremely stiff and 10 being extremely soft.

Braking

To test each scooter’s braking performance, I measured the distance that it took for them to come to a controlled stop from 15 mph (i.e. braking without skidding). I repeated this test 5 times per scooter and averaged the data.

If electronic or regenerative braking systems were present then I dialed their strength up to the max.

Based on hundreds of braking tests, stopping distances can be interpreted as follows: Excellent (less than 2.5 meters), Very Good (2.5 – 3.0 meters), Good (3.0 – 3.5 meters), Fair (3.5 – 4.0 meters), and Poor (more than 4.0 meters).

Design Assessments

While a scooter’s performance stats will likely form the crux of your purchasing decision, its design must always be factored in.

Each model that I reviewed was subject to 30 assessments spanning 10 design categories. These include the cockpit, frame, deck, tires, portability, suitability, lights, extra features, dimensions, and build quality.