Everything you need to know about Electric Unicycles

Check out our blog and discover everything you need to know about riding and owning an Electric Unicycle.

Electric Unicycles. Yes, you heard that correctly. A unicycle, that's electric. Just hear me out. These might be the future of personal electric transport. They're nice and lightweight, pretty quick, can go for ages on a single charge, and surprisingly, with a little practise. Easy to ride.

You may have seen one being ridden. As the rider stands upright it glides along effortlessly almost as if they're floating on air.

What is an Electric Unicycle?

Let's go back to the beginning. Remember unicycles? That one-wheeled pedal bike that is more commonly seen at the circus, riding across a highwire. Or in the hipster areas such as Chorlton in Manchester or Brighton. I've definitely seen one in Chorlton. I'm guessing Brighton, due to its innovative and bohemian residents. Well, an electric unicycle is a powered version of that.

To break it down, it's a single-wheeled, self-balancing mode of personal electric transport. It has a powerful motor that propels it along and a rechargeable battery. On the inside, it features gyroscopes that allow it to self-balance. They can be pretty fast, reaching speeds of up to 20 Mph. Some have seats, like traditional pedal unicycles, for comfort, and some even have handlebars for more control. Isn't that a one-wheeled electric bike?

You'll be wondering where this innovative design came from? Well, it's a bit debatable. The Segway was introduced to us in the 90s and the electric unicycle works in a similar way. So the electric unicycle has maybe evolved naturally from the Segway. Either side of the frame is a pair of footrests. This is where you stand. Like a Segway, you lean forward to go forward, lean back to slow down. Lean left and right to turn, just like a Segway.

They're a bit more user friendly than a Segway, being more compact, faster, and lighter. With more forward-thinking companies such as Inmotion developing a range of electric personal vehicles. We'll start

Ok, now you're hooked, so we're going to look at everything you need to know about Electric Unicycles.

How many Wheels does an Electric Unicycle have?

Electric unicycles are like electric bikes, but with only one wheel. Sounds a little bit daunting at first but once you get the hang of it, balancing becomes second nature. The wheel is sturdy and the tyre is treaded for maximum grip, powered by the motor. They can even be used in the rain, as long as you're careful.

The Inmotion V11 Electric Unicycle features an off-road style chunky tyre which is ideal for navigating forest trails and grassy hills.

Are Electric Unicycles legal?

Yes and no. So, like privately owned electric scooters, electric unicycles are only be allowed to be ridden on private land. The government is trialling electric scooter hire schemes across the UK, like Voi in Liverpool, for example.

This is to encourage people to take up riding the electric scooters but also to help deliver fast, clean and inexpensive travel which also helps ease the burden off local transport networks. Seems sensible right?

The evidence gathered from these trials across the UK, and Europe will help determine laws with electric personal transport. Eventually, and hopefully allowing the use of singular-use electric transport across the UK. Unicycles unite!

How Fast are Electric Unicycles?

Ok, so let's start with the bad or, let's call it sensible news. Like electric bikes and electric scooters, most electric unicycles are limited to 25 Kph or around 15.5 mph. This is legislation by the UK Government to make them safer to ride.

However, some electric scooters, such as the Inmotion V10F, can go a lot faster. It can actually go 40 Kph. Or light speed as it's known. 24 Mph in old money. It is regulated for the UK to make it safer to ride.

How do you Steer an Electric Unicycle?

Magic and unicorns. Or, the internal motherboard can read and work out the angle of the electric unicycle while it's moving. So, this all includes front, back, left, and right. These are adjusted by the gyroscopes.

The gyroscopes sense the movement and angle of the unicycle's motion. This sends messages to the motor to adjust the speed, keeping you all upright while you whizz along. These adjustments in velocity keep you all nicely balanced so that you and the unicycle don't end up on the floor.

Leaning back pulls the unicycle to a stop. Which is handy when you're on a motorised single-wheel flying machine.

They even have padded sides for when you're riding and leaning so that your precious inner calves aren't hurt.

Do you need a helmet when riding an Electric Unicycle?

Yes. 100% yes! Unless you're riding along in marshmallow land surrounded by feathers. Wear a helmet. Like a bike, electric or otherwise, you can fall off and hitting your head even on grass can result in a serious injury or worse.

No matter how good you think you are on one of these zippy electric unicycles, there will always be a stone or a hidden branch that you don't see. Wear a helmet and encourage others to do the same.

What Electric Unicycle Models are available?

Well, there are loads of models on the market. All fun and all unique. At the Electric Future, they currently have four of the Inmotion series of electric unicycles.

Inmotion is a Chinese tech company whose sole purpose is to make people happy through designing and building single-person use electric vehicles. Their main aim is to see a future where single-person use electric vehicles are part of everyday life. As well as the electric unicycle they do popular electric bikes and electric scooters to the crazy electric roller skates and motorised skateboards.

Starting from the very humble Inmotion V5F Electric Unicycle, right up to the fully off-road capable Inmotion V11 Electric Unicycle with suspension, a massive range of 120 Km, and a recorded top speed of 50 Kph.

The Inmotion V10F features disco lights and the ability to play music. Letting you take mobile DJing to the next level. While the Inmotion V8F sits comfortably above the V5F with its extended range of 55 Km and BlueTooth capabilities.

Should you buy and Electric Unicycle?

The electric unicycle is the future of personal transport. They're lightweight, quick and incredibly fun. If you love innovative tech that can get you from A to B in a peculiar style, then most definitely the electric unicycle is for you.

If you need something a little more traditional, then perhaps an electric scooter is more your bag. Or if you want something that's currently legal on public roads then perhaps an electric bike is more your thing.