If you are a commuter who takes a bus or train to the city, then walks the rest of the way to the office or your place of work, we feel for you! That walk on the cold winter mornings can be a chore! If there was a form of compact, lightweight personal transport that could get you across town quicker, it would be great, wouldn’t it? The problem is that electric bicycles are too bulky to carry on a crowded bus or train, and as for hoverboards, they are not very practical in town.
Well, you’ll be pleased to hear we have the answer: the electric unicycle! We reckon that these little devices are the ultimate in 21st century electric personal transport, and we’re sure you’ll agree when you see what they can do! So, what is an electric unicycle, and just how do you ride them?
The Electric Unicycle Explained
First things first, you don’t need to worry about learning to balance a unicycle; a bicycle is bad enough, as we’re sure you’ll remember! Electric unicycles are self-balancing, which makes them a pretty clever piece of kit! An electric unicycle is a small, single wheel encased in a hard outer casing, within which is an electric motor and battery that powers the vehicle. But, that’s not all!
Also inside the case are sensors, gyroscopes and accelerometers. To keep things simple, these are all the parts of the machine that help it balance, and allow it to understand which way you want it to go, and whether you want it to go faster, slower or stop. So, you control it by a set of handlebars. Right? Wrong! There are no handlebars, and this is where it takes some people a bit of time to get used to riding an electric unicycle.
Here’s how it works: you stand on platforms that fold out either side of the device, upright. If you move your body forward a certain way, the unicycle will start to move. If you lean backwards, it will slow and eventually stop. Likewise, if you lean to one side, the machine will go that way, and vice versa.
Now, doing all of this while holding onto nothing feels very weird at first, yet it’s reckoned that even a complete novice can learn how to ride and electric unicycle in around 90 minutes. If you want to have a look at some of the different models available, visit this site where you’ll find some of the best models on the market.
Choosing Your Electric Unicycle
Electric unicycles are set to become one of the big new trends in the coming months. They are already far more popular than they have been, so now is the time to start looking around for the one that will suit your needs. For example, we mentioned the commute to work: is that what you want one for, or are you just looking for something that is a bit of fun, an exciting new toy to have around?
There are electric unicycles that are designed for short journeys – perhaps 10 miles on a full charge – that are perfect for the city commute, and others that can reach speeds of greater than 30mph, which is terrifyingly fast when standing on a single-wheeled platform, and others that can do 30-plus miles on one charge. There are also off-road models that give you the chance to tackle rougher terrain!
What is a fact is that if you want one, you should get looking now, and be the one who shows the way in your neighbourhood!