Safety and Reliability Assessment of Personal Electric Kick-Scooter Riding with Different Tire Types

This study investigates the mechanical safety of personal electric kick-scooters, specifically the vibration-induced failure of handlebar safety lock. Utilizing a dual-methodology approach, pre-experimental modal analysis via laser scanning was combined with real-world field measurements on asphalt and brick pavements using pneumatic and airless tires. Modal analysis identified a primary resonance frequency at 20 Hz, where airless tires exhibited significantly lower damping coefficients compared to pneumatic tires. Research results quantified a critical vibration that limit correlates with the unintended disengagement of the folding mechanism. On brick surfaces, airless tires produced vibrations 40% higher than pneumatic tires. These findings demonstrate that the reduction in damping provided by aftermarket airless tires directly compromises structural reliability, necessitating secondary locking redundancies for safe urban operation.