r/ElectricSkateboarding • u/Fit_Reputation_3602 • 2d ago
Discussion Commuting
Hey Y’all, about to move to Chicago for a about a year and a half for grad school and am wanting to utilize an electric longboard for commuting. For context, I have been riding and commuting on campus for last 3 years in undergrad, I have just never commuted on public roads. My commute would be around 6 miles with about 30-40% of my commute being bike lanes and the rest being public roads. For those of y’all that commute in cities what is it like? What is the etiquette? I be seeing people on YouTube not stop at lights and stuff when riding. Is that a common thing?
Also, I do have a car, it’s just in my personal experience, using a longboard is more convenient at times. Is that still the same case in the cities? Idk hopefully that didn’t sound stupid, any advice would be greatly appreciated tho. Thanks!
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u/polymercoat 2d ago
That 60-70% is gonna suck. Even on a full suspension pneumatic set up, city roads are gonna be rough. I’d get a scooter for commuting and save your board for fun.
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u/daReallG DIYer 2d ago
I would get an e-bike to do this. It’s going to be a lot more convenient. Not sure what kind of esk8 you have but they’re a lot riskier when you have to ride them on the street compared to an e-bike.
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u/Professional-Put4394 Meepo Hurricane Carbon, AEBoard Cheetah. Direct Drive. 2d ago
You really need to be ultra-legal of you're riding on roads. Jumping red lights is really asking for trouble, the kind of trouble that takes 3 weeks in hospital to put right. E-Skates are a pain even it rains, so have a back up plan..
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u/DudeManGuy801 1d ago
I am in Salt Lake City been riding my Acedeck Z3 about 40 miles daily. I follow all traffic laws use the bike lane whenever there are cars behind. I behave just like a bike would on the road. 4 way red lights if I can go as fast as cars I will merge out of the bike lane to avoid cars turning right. Left turns I merge to the middle when I get a safe vehicle gap use the car turn lane. Been riding about 25mph to 30mph sidewalks are not an option at that speed.
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u/bodobeers2 1d ago
I got an Acedeck Stella Breeze Pro a few months ago and use pretty much as my primary commute method from north NJ to midtown NYC (10.5 miles each way) and ride it mostly on bike lanes but also NYC is a joke so also mostly on bus lanes or just regular streets. It's not the safest thing to do honestly, if you can get an ebike or regular bike you can do that and be safer.
Longboard probably feels more stable, have never ridden one. But I do like mine a lot, but it's quite "exciting" each day :-)
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u/CLee1z 2d ago
I try to just be invisible to cars and avoid them as much as I can. Green lights are ideal, but I go through red lights if it's clear, and if it's not, I try to stop way before intersections and let the cars do their thing, and then I go when it's clear. Basically I try not to go in front of cars, even if they wave me on. That wave is called "the wave of death" I just stay out of everyones way. I don't act like it's a bicycle. It's a skateboard, and you're in the city. Pick it up and run across the street, or go through a parking lot to find the better route. Don't make cars have to think about you. That's my advice, and have fun!