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Because you can’t brake in the traditional sense on a regular skateboard, it is understandable why so many people have been asking whether it is possible to brake or not on an electric skateboard.
Fortunately, for those worrying about this particular feature, it is indeed possible to brake and slow down on an electric skateboard, thanks to the remote controls that they come paired with.
Not all braking systems are the same though, so it is important to understand what kinds there are and how they interact with the other safety measures of an electric skateboard.
Read More: Electric Skateboard FAQ: All You Need To Know
Some people have this idea that electric skateboards are much less safe than regular skateboards because they have motors that allow them to reach relatively fast speeds. This is a reasonable assumption considering that there are some electric skateboards that can go as fast as 30 mph.
Luckily though, all-electric skateboards come with remote control. This control is used not only to increase the speed of the board but to decrease it as well. That means that you always have the ability to control how fast or how slow you want to go. This precise method of controlling the speed actually makes electric skateboards even safer than regular skateboards, so long as you don’t go to a speed you are not comfortable handling.
You might be thinking that braking on an electric skateboard is as simple as pressing the stop button on your remote control, but this is only a half-truth. There are three different kinds of braking systems, and each one has its own unique characteristics.
First, there is dynamic braking. This is the most common braking method of the three. Kinetic energy is converted into heat which creates resistance onto the copper wires. This resistance is used to slow down the motor’s spinning.
The second kind is friction braking. This method is most similar to what most cars use. It is somewhat similar to dynamic braking, but it doesn’t use copper wires to create heat-based resistance. Instead, a disc brake or brake pad creates friction and converts kinetic energy into heat, stopping the wheels directly rather than the motor.
The last braking system method is known as regenerative braking. This is the most complex method of the three and is also the most common one to be found among more expensive, higher-end electric skateboards.
As the name implies, regenerative braking can actually regenerate energy by converting kinetic force into electricity for the battery. Think of the dynamic braking system but with the extra benefit of recharging a little bit of battery life every time you brake. Some hybrid cars have a similar type of technology.
Having well-functioning brakes is not only an important part. It’s a necessity for any electric skateboard. Without brakes, these fantastic tools would be essentially unusable.
It’s also important to note that you can probably still brake manually with an electric skateboard alongside remote control. However, the stop or brake button on the control does not bring your skateboard to a complete and immediate stop. This would actually be a terrible idea if you were going at speeds faster than 15 mph because you might fall off.
What the brake button actually does is it gradually slows down your board for a few seconds. The safest and most efficient way to bring your board to a complete stop after holding the brake button is to place your foot on the ground, just as you would while riding a regular skateboard. This method is recommended regardless of which one of the three braking systems your electric skateboard uses.
Hopefully, we’ve managed to convince you that electric skateboards are much safer than they appear at first glance. Always keep in mind that braking using an electric skateboard is a gradual process rather than a sudden, complete stop. Also, try not to forget the differences between the three different braking systems: dynamic braking, regenerative braking, and friction braking.
Thank you for reading, and if you have any follow-up questions on the nature of electric skateboard braking, feel free to leave any questions or comments below. If you want to learn more about electric skateboards, here’s all you need to know before buying one.