# Electric Scooters **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 19, 2004, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-scooters/235122 "2004-03-19T01:27:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bigslowy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c2a13f/32.png) [@bigslowy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bigslowy)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-scooters/235122/1 "2004-03-19T01:27:01Z")
Here’s the deal, I need transportation, but only for short trips. Since I can’t afford a car I am searching for alternative means of transportation, and electric scooters look like a decent means to go from A to B. However, I know nothing about what scooter to buy, what laws I need know ect… Can anyone out there help? I live in Texas if that helps. ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-scooters/235122/2 "2004-03-19T05:06:40Z")
Welcome to SDMB **bigslowy**. I can’t help you with a lot of specifics but it might help to know your particular transportation needs. How far apart are point A and B? Any hills? Where will you ride it? Sidewalk or street? Your state department of transportation would be a good source for laws on where scooters can be used. ---
**Author:** ![Adoptamom\_II](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Adoptamom\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Adoptamom_II)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-scooters/235122/3 "2004-03-19T05:17:08Z")
I’m next door to you in Cajun country and locally (not sure about state wide) they’ve been banned from use on public roads. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-scooters/235122/4 "2004-03-19T06:26:41Z")
I think the Texas laws covering operation of electric scooters are discussed [here](http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/msb/pages/Electric.htm). I’ve never yet owned an electric scooter/bicycle but I hear good things about the [eGo](http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/msb/pages/Electric.htm). ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-scooters/235122/5 "2004-03-19T13:19:46Z")
Low end Mopeds with gas engines go for around $850, less used. Gas is dear, but mopeds use so little, you could afford it. A perfectly good bicycle, of a model assembled in a bike shop, & designed to be as close to repair-free as possible goes for around $340. $375 with big steel baskets over the rear wheel for cargo, lights, & bell. ---
**Author:** ![DougC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@DougC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DougC)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-scooters/235122/6 "2004-03-19T16:12:21Z")
- - - I would advise a moped–they have more power than an electric scooter or your legs pedaling a bicycle would, and they have been street-legal for decades now and aren’t likely to be legislated away as toys anytime soon. … - Additionally, the newer ones I’ve seen don’t look as dorky as the old ones did. ~