Why I Switched from ESK8 to Ebikes
I used to love electric skateboarding. Seriously this was a huge passion of mine from 2015 until about 2018. I built my own boards, created a few articles and videos and even won a blue ribbon prize at the Detroit Maker Faire. I really REALLY loved electric skateboarding. But once things got more powerful I began to see more and more people getting hurt including some of my good friends. It also became a little impractical to use on the streets of Michigan where I live. That's when I decided to switch over to electric bikes instead.
Practicality
Let's face it, the Super73 Z1's fat tires are just much more practical for my commute than thin urethane wheels. And believe me, I've tried commuting on an ESK8 many times but there's just not enough smooth roads on these Michigan Streets for it to feel comfortable. Speaking of comfort, an ebike is simply easier to ride than an ESK8. I have a good amount of casual, skating experience but it still requires me to have an extremely heightened level of control. Riding an ebike is essentially like riding a bike. You're less likely to fall because of the multiple points of contact. Oh yeah and sharing your ebike with others is much more accessible than putting someone whose never skated before on an ESK8.
Performance
As far as top speed, many high performance ESK8 boards can easily outrun most ebikes. And going over 30mph on an ESK8 is thrilling but it's also not very safe. One bad pothole or bump in the road can be really really bad. Going 30mph on the 48v Z1 is also not always safe but theres a much better level of control that gives me better peace of mind. Some of that comes from the suspension which absorbs shocks that ESK8's can't do and also the braking system. I've had some issues in the past where my ESK8 electronic brakes failed or locked up which sent me flying. My Z1's upgraded hydraulic brakes aren't foolproof but they are 100 times more reliable than electronic brakes.
Safety
Where I live there's a few protected bike lanes but not many. But generally, my city is somewhat bike friendly, at least compared to other parts of Michigan. And while you can ride an ESK8 on the roads, it's just not as practical as an ebike, especially if you're commuting next to cars. With the Z1 I can comfortably keep up with traffic while maintaining visibility. Situational awareness is the number one priority when you're riding in traffic and that comes from your experience with your surroundings and how much control you have over your vehicle. With an ebike I just have way more situational awareness than with an ESK8.
Don't get me wrong, plenty of people own several types of personal electric vehicles and that's fine. But for me, I prefer to choose vehicle and get really good at it. And based on my current lifestyle, I would place my own physical safety as top priority when choosing the best mode of transportation. But safety is usually dependent on the user. Those who have skated all their lives will feel much safer on an ESK8 while others would feel safer on a bike because that's what they have the most experience with. But to each his own as long as you ride safely and within your experience level.
