What is an extreme scooter and why is it gaining popularity

With the arrival of spring in the cities there is more and more dry asphalt, which means that the extreme riders are slowly taking to the streets. Riders are ready to remind the world what the youth extreme subculture is all about. On the streets of cities we are waiting not only for skateboarders and bamikers, but also for kickskooter riders – guys who ride extreme scooters.

Sasha Shevchenko

professional kickskuter-rider and Athletes Club athlete

Tells more about modern kickskating.

There are two main disciplines: street and park. In park the athlete’s task is to perform as many amplitude tricks as possible in the skate park. And in street the rider should do slides and jumps from steps on natural landscapes of city streets. There are also several “sub-disciplines” in kickskating:

• Snowscoot is the same as a scooter, except it stands on skis instead of wheels. It is ridden like a snowboard in the mountains.
• Dirt – a scooter with inflatable wheels for riding on dirt ramps.
• Ice-scooter – a scooter with skates.
• Big Air – in this discipline the rider must fly about 5-15 meters on a normal scooter.

Sasha Shevchenko

How did the extreme scooter appear?

The first athletes of this discipline appeared in the 1990s – early 2000s and rode on children’s scooters. The equipment was strengthened by adding additional elements to the design. At the request of athletes, Eagle Supply, a company specializing in the manufacture of wheels for roller skis, made prototypes for scooters with a disk made of aluminum. Before that, the wheels were made of plastic. At the same time, Razor and Micro brands started to produce scooter models without folding mechanism. Then small companies started to appear, which were founded by riders themselves. They produced handlebars, decks and forks: TSI, PROTO, WEE, etc.

In 2010, there were already brands that were engaged in full production of extreme scooter models: MGP, District, Blunt. The size of component parts has changed a lot: the diameter of wheels increased, decks and handlebars began to be made higher and wider. Since then, every new season of riding, manufacturers make improved parts with the use of new technologies and taking into account the wishes of riders.

In 2022, extreme scooters are not just a type of street culture. More than 50 brands from around the world have already contributed to the sports industry. Now there are scooter models for every level of riding: from beginner to professional.

Sasha Shevchenko

How does a kick scooter differ from classic models?

Scooter for extreme riding differs from the usual one by more complex construction and technologically correct welds. They can withstand greater loads and weight and, of course, cost more than ordinary ones.

Scooter riding develops flexibility, reaction, acrobatic skills and all muscles of the body, even the smallest ones. No special physical preparation for riding is required. Scooter weighs about 3 kg, and if desired, almost any child or adult can start practicing this sport. There are no problems in this.

What are the prospects for kikskootering?

Kickskootering is one of the most promising freestyle sports, like BMX freestyle and skateboarding, which recently became Olympic. I think scooterboarding will soon see this outcome as well. There will be national teams, federations, etc. This is a full-fledged sport, where there are titles of “master of sports” and “candidate for master of sports”.

In general, this sphere is actively developing. In it, you can work as a coach, create brands, produce your own scooter parts. Or you can be a sportsman yourself, invent something new or become popular because of the development of this sport.

Sasha Shevchenko

Where to ride in Moscow?

In Moscow you can learn to ride a scooter at two main schools: KSS School on Nagornaya Street and one of the best skate parks in Russia, Rampstroy House on Enthusiastov Shosse and Savelovskaya Street.