Skateboards have been around along time. The first skateboard was made in 1958 when an enterprising person took the wheels from their roller skates and put them on a board. This was called “sidewalk surfing” and was promoted as “surfing without waves.” A lot has changed in the world of skateboarding since then. Advancements, such as the development of motorized longboards, have added fun and flexibility to the ride. Whether you are new to skateboarding or not, there are some things you may want to consider and do before you get a new electric skateboard.

1. Remember to put safety first. Whether you are using an off road electric skateboard or have a motorized longboard to get around town, the number one thing you should think about is how to stay safe while you are riding. That means you need to get the safety gear that is recommended. A helmet is the most important thing you can wear while using a skateboard with electric motor. There are also pads you can get for your knees, wrists and elbows.
2. Take some time to think about how skilled you are at riding a skateboard. If you are new to the sport or it has been a while since you used a skateboard, you may want to start with a regular, manual model before you buy or use a motorized longboard. There are places you can go to get help with your skateboard riding skills to get up to speed, so to speak. Do not rush the process of getting good at riding on a skateboard. Just because you picked it up in a day when you were 10 years old does not mean you can do the same thing today. Relax and have fun learning how to ride on a skateboard. If it is not fun, what is the point?
3. If you are already a pro at riding on a skateboard, you will not need to spend so much time getting used to the feel of a motorized board but you should know that there are a few small differences between riding the manual and electric boards. The main things that differentiate one from the other are the way they start and stop. It can take some getting used to but when you are on a power skateboard, your feet should remain on the board at all times. This is sometimes hard for experienced skaters to get used to because on manual boards you use your foot to move forward and to stop. The other main difference is that electric powered skateboards weigh more than their manual counterparts.
4. Pay attention to your battery. If you are going to go a long distance, you will want to make sure you have enough battery power to go both ways of your journey. Because they weigh more than traditional skateboards, it can be tiring to have to carry your motorized longboard home if you run out of power.
5. Practice makes perfect. When you are getting used to riding an electric skateboard, you should take it to a place that is flat and smooth to get used to turning, .starting and stopping. These skateboards can get up to speeds of about 19 miles per hour, which is a lot faster than most people are used to going on a manual skateboard. For that reason, you should take your new electric longboard out and practice using it before you take it to the streets.
6. Think about where you will be riding the board. Do you plan to use it to get around your city or town? Are you thinking of doing some off road riding? There are a number of options you have available to you when you are looking at power skateboards and some models are built to be used off road. When you know what kind of riding you are thinking you will do, you can pick the right board.

There are a number of reasons that skateboarding has remained popular throughout the years. It can be a lot of fun to ride down the road on a traditional or motorized longboard. If you spend some time on your technique, it can be really fun.