| The history of the kick scooter is quite interesting. | | | | The aluminum scooters of today are virtually |
| Since kids have great imaginations that are | | | | quiet. They have polyurethane wheels and the |
| uninhibited by doubt, they can create just about | | | | only sound you might hear are the screams of |
| anything to keep themselves occupied with fun. | | | | fun or wind resistance from your clothing unlike |
| The first kick scooters were invented by taking | | | | the metal wheels of yesteryear. They have a |
| roller skate wheels and attaching them to a small | | | | hollow tube for the steering shaft and soft handle |
| plank of wood. | | | | grips to keep the riders hands from slipping off. |
| A handle was constructed with a 2x4 and possibly | | | | Many of them fold up and can be placed in a |
| the handlebars were made from splitting the 2x4 | | | | backpack for safe keeping. They don't take up as |
| or a piece of pipe was strapped to the top of the | | | | much space as a bicycle and if you have to take |
| board for handlebars, crude as it was, it still | | | | yours with you it doesn't invade anybody else's |
| worked and got kids to places that made walking | | | | space either. |
| seem obsolete. | | | | You might still see a big wheel for sale at a mass |
| Some of the earliest models of kick scooters | | | | retailer, they are still around and letting kids grow |
| inspired the newer generation you see today. It | | | | into new ways of transporting themselves is |
| took about 100 years for the idea to catch back | | | | always fun. I remember riding my big wheel down |
| on because many other modes of self | | | | the middle of the street. My plastic wheels made |
| transportation received more public demand. The | | | | so much noise I never heard a car behind me, |
| bicycle was vamped up to meet the needs of | | | | every now and then somebody would honk and |
| kids and adults, skateboards became more | | | | that was a great indication to move aside, they |
| popular and kick scooters sort of lost their place | | | | did have a bigger bumper than I did. Toys like |
| in history. It wasn't until 1990 that Wim Ouboter | | | | that were fun to have and distant memories are |
| saw a need for a push scooter because one of | | | | all we have since you don't see commercials for |
| his sister's legs was shorter than the other. She | | | | big wheels much any more, safety is key for |
| had trouble riding a bike but she could push a | | | | parents. That's why push scooters are becoming |
| scooter, he took the original idea and created a | | | | more popular, the child is upright, they are |
| sturdier version. | | | | controlling the steering and the toy is very quiet. |
| Since wood scooters couldn't stand up to | | | | You still need to be cautious because we live in a |
| weather, they would rot or the metal skate | | | | society where people are always rushing around |
| wheels would rust, an aluminum version was | | | | and personal safety needs to be exercised. |
| introduced by Razor. If you ask somebody to say | | | | A kick scooter can also be ridden in the house, |
| the first word that comes to mind when you | | | | unlike a bicycle. When it gets cold and the kids get |
| mention the word scooter, Razor is most likely to | | | | stir crazy you can pull the car out of the garage |
| be the one they say. Razor revolutionized the | | | | and give them a little more room to scoot around. |
| push scooter and gave it more stability and style. | | | | Razor has recognized the market for kick |
| They didn't just stick with one version of their | | | | scooters and is making them available to those |
| widely popular toy; they manufactured them in | | | | who want to do tricks on them. You can do the |
| colors and even created ones that adults can ride. | | | | same amount of tricks on a Razor scooter that |
| Some Razor scooters have three wheels so once | | | | you can on a skateboard. I don't know if kick |
| you get going you can ride with both feet on the | | | | scooters will make an appearance at the X |
| back and steer around objects with more control. | | | | Games anytime soon but they are fast becoming |
| It also helps with balance. | | | | a new tool for professional skaters. |