Are Scooters Good for Health? A Look at the Surprising Benefits

November 28, 2025 •

4 min read

Research from the University of Brighton has shown that scooting for 45 minutes can burn an average of 350 calories, comparable to many moderate-intensity exercises. This surprising statistic prompts the question: are scooters good for health, or are they just a fun toy?

Quick Summary

This article explores the significant physical and mental health benefits of scooting, detailing how both kick and electric scooters can contribute to an active lifestyle. It examines calorie expenditure, muscle engagement, balance improvement, and stress reduction, along with important safety considerations.

Key Points

Core and Muscle Strengthening: Scooting engages and tones a wide range of muscles, including the core, legs, arms, and back, which improves overall strength and stability.
Low-Impact Aerobic Exercise: Manual kick scooting offers an excellent cardiovascular workout that burns calories without putting significant strain on joints, making it ideal for recovery or for those with joint pain.
Improved Balance and Coordination: Maintaining balance on a scooter, especially while maneuvering, hones coordination and motor skills.
Mental Health Boost: Riding outdoors, especially in green spaces, reduces stress, boosts mood, and helps alleviate anxiety by providing a sense of freedom and relaxation.
Calorie Burning for Weight Management: Depending on the type of scooter and intensity, scooting can burn a significant number of calories, aiding in weight loss or maintenance.
Enhanced Commuting: Scooters turn a sedentary commute into an active, calorie-burning activity that gets you outside and saves time compared to walking.
Safety is Crucial: Always wear a helmet and protective gear. Remain aware of your surroundings, follow traffic rules, and inspect your scooter before each ride to prevent injuries.

The Health Benefits of Scooting: Beyond Just Fun

While often seen as a casual mode of transport or a children's toy, scooting offers a variety of health benefits for people of all ages. The level of physical exertion depends on the type of scooter—whether it's a manual kick scooter or a motor-assisted electric model—but both can contribute positively to an active lifestyle. By turning daily commutes or leisurely rides into an opportunity for movement, you can improve your fitness without needing to set foot in a gym.

Cardiovascular and Muscle Health

Even with an electric motor, riding a scooter still engages your body in a way that boosts cardiovascular health. Manual kick scooting, in particular, offers an excellent aerobic workout that strengthens the heart and improves circulation. The repetitive kicking motion uses the leg muscles intensely, while maintaining balance engages the core. This provides a comprehensive, low-impact exercise suitable for those who may have joint issues.

Legs: The powerful kicking motion works the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles.
Core: Your abdominal and lower back muscles are constantly activated to maintain stability, leading to improved core strength and a better posture.
Upper Body: Arms, shoulders, and back are engaged to steer and maintain control, contributing to overall muscle toning.

Balance, Coordination, and Posture

Balancing on a scooter requires constant, subtle adjustments of the body, which significantly improves balance and coordination over time. Navigating turns and avoiding obstacles hones your motor skills and strengthens the harmony between your eyes and limbs. Furthermore, the upright stance required for scooting naturally encourages a straighter back, helping to alleviate neck and back tension often associated with desk jobs.

Mental Well-being and Stress Reduction

Leaving the car or public transport behind for a scooter ride can have a profound impact on mental health. Exercising outdoors exposes you to fresh air and sunlight, which are natural mood boosters. The simple act of gliding along can be a relaxing, meditative experience, helping to alleviate stress and anxiety. Escaping traffic jams and enjoying the scenery can lead to an improved mood and a sense of freedom. Spending time in nature, even in a city park, has been shown to reduce mental fatigue and promote a better outlook on life.

Comparison: Kick Scooter vs. Electric Scooter

Deciding between a kick scooter and an electric scooter for health benefits depends on your goals. While a kick scooter provides a full manual workout, an electric model offers assisted commuting with subtler, but still present, fitness advantages.


Feature	Kick Scooter	Electric Scooter
Physical Exertion	High, manual effort required for propulsion, providing a robust aerobic workout.	Light to moderate. The motor assists, but riders still engage their core and legs for balance and steering.
Calorie Burn	High (e.g., 350–700 calories per hour, depending on intensity).	Lower (e.g., 150–250 calories per hour).
Core Engagement	Very high due to the constant balancing act and kicking motion.	Moderate, mainly for stability and maneuvering.
Commute Efficiency	Slower and more demanding, best for short distances.	Faster and more efficient for longer commutes, reducing sedentary time.
Low-Impact Nature	Extremely low-impact, easy on joints compared to running.	Very low-impact, ideal for recovery days or those with limited mobility.

Safety Considerations for Scooters

While the health benefits are significant, safety must be the top priority. Serious injuries, including fractures and head trauma, are possible if proper precautions are not taken.

Protective Gear

Helmet: Always wear a CPSC-certified helmet to protect against head injuries.
Pads and Guards: Knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards protect against common scrapes and fractures.
Footwear: Wear closed-toe shoes with good grip to maintain stability.

Riding Habits

Awareness: Stay vigilant and avoid distractions like phones or music. Be aware of pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles, especially in urban areas.
Location: Ride in designated bike lanes or on pathways, avoiding busy roads and uneven surfaces. Many cities prohibit riding electric scooters on sidewalks.
Inspection: Before each ride, check the brakes, tires, and frame for any damage.
Gradual Progress: Practice basic maneuvers like braking and balancing in a safe, open area before navigating traffic.

Conclusion

So, are scooters good for health? The answer is a resounding yes, provided they are used responsibly. Whether you opt for a traditional kick scooter for a more intensive manual workout or an electric scooter to make commuting more active, you can reap significant physical and mental rewards. Scooting improves cardiovascular fitness, strengthens core and leg muscles, enhances balance, and reduces stress, all while getting you outdoors. As a low-impact activity, it’s accessible to many different fitness levels. By making safety a priority with proper gear and attentive riding, you can enjoy all the benefits of scooting and move toward a healthier, more active lifestyle. For more information on safely incorporating scooting into your routine, visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website for guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, even though an electric scooter provides motor assistance, riding it is still a form of light to moderate exercise. You burn calories, engage your core for balance, and activate muscles for steering, especially on uneven terrain or when opting to kick manually.

Riding a kick scooter can burn a significant number of calories. Studies have shown that depending on intensity and weight, you could burn anywhere from 350 to 700 calories per hour, which is comparable to running or biking.

Yes, scooting is excellent for core conditioning. The constant, subtle muscular adjustments required to maintain balance and stability while riding provide a consistent workout for your abdominal and lower back muscles.

Yes, scooting is very low-impact compared to activities like running or jogging. It's a great option for individuals looking to get a cardiovascular workout while minimizing stress on their joints.

Riding a scooter exposes you to fresh air and outdoor environments, which can boost mood and reduce mental fatigue. It provides a sense of freedom and can be a meditative, stress-reducing activity that improves overall mental well-being.

Always wear a certified helmet to protect against head injuries. Additionally, knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards are recommended to protect joints and reduce the risk of fractures during falls.

While walking is a moderate-intensity activity, research suggests kick scooting can burn more calories at a comparable pace, providing a more intense workout. Electric scooting provides a lighter activity but still burns more calories than driving.