E-scooter commuting

[dimi]

Gotten a bit tired of driving to work, won't have a parking allowance moving forward, and I won't need to be drive/travel for work, so I'm thinking of getting an e-scooter. Looking at parking rates and the price of these scooters, this seems like a no brainer. My commute is a 3.5km/35 min walk to downtown.

-How many months of the year can I get away with using one? I'll likely walk/drive in the winter.
-I assume it's a good idea to charge it at work? Can I generally bring it up to my office upstairs or is that a no go?
-Do I get one of the cheap ones or should I spend more on a premium version?
-New vs. Used?

Am I missing something?

Thanks.

[ExtraSlow]

Get studded fat tires, go all year.

[ercchry]

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Get studded fat tires, go all year.

This, can do basically any conditions… but little tricky with a fresh 1ft+ snowfall

I’d say go with a fat e-bike (like a norco Bigfoot vlt) should be able to find a nice used example for ~$4k… wouldn’t need to charge at work with that commute, if you have a bike locker at your work you’re good to go, taking it up the elevator is a little questionable, but physically could do it as you would just spin it onto the rear tire and walk it in like that.

Something like this could also double as a new hobby too, mountain biking is fun

[pheoxs]

Personally I’d do a ebike over a scooter if you have a safe spot at work to lock it up. Some offices also don’t let you take scooters up to your desk to check their policy first. As above with some fat tires you can go year round and the pedal assist is optional, you can just do all electric if you’re feeling lazy. My bike has 60km of range with pedalling or 30lbs just full electric so plenty to only charge it once or twice a week.

map of bike paths if you zoom in:
https://maps.calgary.ca/pathwaysandbikeways/

[ZenOps]

Cheap beginner scooter, Gotrax G3 plus. It has front wheel drive, so it retains incredible control especially uphill. 18mph, which is about the max before you should consider going with suspension and a full motorcycle helmet.

Gotrax tends to set the regenerative braking at the "wrong" spot for me. I prefer to have a tiny bit of physical rear brake just before the regenerative front kicks in. But thats preference and of course adjustable.

At that distance you wouldn't need to charge.

Just remember to pump up the tires to rated pressure every month.

[sexualbanana]

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taking it up the elevator is a little questionable, but physically could do it as you would just spin it onto the rear tire and walk it in like that.

It's usually a landlord thing. There's an old story/inside joke of one of my co-workers getting in trouble because they brought their bike up the elevator.

[ZenOps]

If taking out of a car every day, lighter is better. 35 pounds or less is definitely doable and maybe preferred. Cheap foldable shines.