Learn to Ride an Electric Unicycle

15 October, 2024
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EUC riding on grass at Takaparawhau

At Atomic EV we’ve introduced hundreds of people to EUC riding in our shop and summarise here how we get people started on their EUC experience safely and conveniently. This is a gentle and conservative approach – great for many people, whereas others might prefer to just “go for it” and learn from falling and finding their own path. There’s not one best approach and different methods may work better for different learning styles. In the shop we try to avoid people getting discouraged by falls or potential injury so we generally take a gradual approach.

EUCs have a longer learning curve than for most other PEVs, much more than for electric scooters and more than electric skateboards, but the rewards once EUC riding is achieved makes it so worthwhile. The learning curve would be most similar to learning how to ski, seemingly slow progress initially, then more rapidly and tapering off over a longer time to fully master riding.

Riding an EUC once mastered is not strenuous, but learners do often get fatigued as they are concentrating (too much), ankles and feet can get a bit tired or a little sore. So more frequent shorter sessions can help reduce the initial fatigue.

Keep a positive attitude, and there’s no need to rush the process. Different people take more or less time than others to develop the muscle responses to adequately control the EUC. Some people have more experience in balance sports which can help, but its a new and initially strange experience for most people. Like with learning to ski or ride a bike the time required initially to master the basics has no correlation with how good a rider the person will eventually become.

Our best advice: relax, enjoy the learning process, and don’t try to overthink the riding. Your brain will figure everything out itself given time standing on the wheel, so no need to consciously focus too much. Once you know how to ride you’ll look back on the learning process and wonder how and what it was that you learnt to develop control. Every session you’ll find one more aspect of riding will click in place which hadn’t previously.

Gear to wear before starting

Serious EUC injuries are uncommon but with any action sport it is important to take some precautions, especially early on.

Before getting started it is essential that you always wear a good fitting helmet. A bike helmet is okay initially but a skateboard helmet (such as our Triple8 or Thousand helmets) might better cover the sides of the head. Eventually EUC riders should use a full-face helmet (such as our Predator or Leatt helmets) as their riding speed increases.

Expect to have a few minor falls while learning (just like with skiing or skating). Usually beginners can land on their feet but if a fall to the ground does occur it is the hands that reach out instinctively. To protect the hand and wrist when it makes impact with the ground (especially abrasive surfaces) a wrist guard or glove is recommended (such as our Flatland3D, Knox, Triple8 or 187 Killer wrist guards).

When learning on concrete or asphalt ideally you also want elbow and knee pads (such as our Knox, Leatt or Triple8 range).

Depending on the EUC your ankles might get knocked a few times, so wear decent shoes and perhaps thick socks covering lower parts of the legs.

Select an EUC

If you have a choice of what EUC to start learning on ideally pick one that is not too big nor heavy, a beginner’s 16 inch wheel such as the Inmotion V8S or KingSong 16X with low pedals. Smaller learners can choose a 14 inch EUC like an Inmotion V5F or KingSong 14D, whereas larger people might find the stability of a heavier EUC like the Inmotion V10F more suitable.

Larger and heavier wheels give more stability while riding but are harder to get moving and control with one leg when mounting or dismounting.

Suspension wheels tend to be heavier and have higher pedals so a bit more challenging to learn on but we’ve had customers learn fine on the Inmotion V13, it just requires more patience.

An Inmotion E20 with dual tyres or a low wide-tyre KingSong S9 for children helps people learn some of the basics in minutes, although most people will eventually migrate to a regular single tyre EUC to perfect their riding.

Consider some protection for the EUC if used on abrasive surface. For example, you might buy a fitted cover for the specific EUC, or save a lot of money by using removable furniture protectors or even bubble wrap. Usually the protruding edges along the front and sides, and the pedals take most of the abuse while learning, especially on concrete. EUCs are generally quite tough so most damage is just cosmetic. Scratched or cracked panels can be replaced later once you’re a confident rider. Some people choose to learn on a cheap or used EUC before purchasing to avoid damaging their own. Others learn on the EUC model they intend to ride so take a bit more care to protect the EUC while learning.

Understand how an EUC works

Before jumping on and riding it is informative to first get acquainted with the EUC and understand how its control system actually works.

When the EUC is tilted forward it will accelerate, when tilted back it will brake (or go in the opposite direction). Usually tilt is via the riders feet pushing on the front or rear of the pedals, but adding pads in front of shins and behind calves allow the lower legs to tilt the EUC, such as the popular Grizzla pads.

EUCs use an inertial measuring unit (IMU), a combination of accelerometers and gyroscopes to determine how the hub motor should respond to the rider:

  • an accelerometer measures the linear acceleration in one direction (this Youtube tutorial explains how they work in practice),
  • a gyroscope measures the angular velocity/rate of turning about one axis.

As Earth’s gravity exerts a strong downward force on objects three perpendicular accelerometers can measure the tilt of an EUC relative to gravity. However, as the wheel gets tilted to accelerate an accelerometer cannot distinguish between the rotational acceleration, the acceleration of the EUC and gravity, so a gyroscope is used to correct for the rotation of the EUC and provide more accurate tilt measurements.

When a tilt is detected the EUC notifies the motor to change its speed, how quickly it adjusts and whether it returns the pedals back to horizontal depends on the “ride mode” configured in the EUC. Within the motor are Hall sensors that measure how quickly the motor is rotating, so the EUC knows how much to adjust its velocity. Provided the force applied to the pedals is not too excessive and there is sufficient battery charge the motor will be able to always maintain the pedals upright. This makes it easier to balance, even on steps.

Larger EUCs have very powerful motors which are difficult to overpower, giving riders a lot of confidence in their EUC. But if a smaller EUC is overpowered the motor will cut out and stop balancing (almost certainly ejecting the rider). EUCs have warning systems (audio alarms, pedal push back) to notify a rider when the motor is close to reaching its maximum “duty cycle”. Reputable EUC brands should give the rider sufficient warning when the motor is at risk of cutting out.

Besides tilting forward and back to accelerate/decelerate an EUC also detects when the EUC is tilted beyond a specific angle sideways. This enables the EUC to stop its motor spinning whenever the EUC falls to one side, which is an important safety feature.

Realise that whenever the EUC is lifted up while powered on the kill-switch must be used (generally located under the lifting handle), otherwise the EUC will free spin until it realises there is no rider. Once it realises it will warn the user by an audio alarm and gradually stop spinning. Novices often panic and try to put the EUC back down on the ground while it is still spinning, not realising there is a kill-switch. But whenever getting on or off the EUC do NOT press the kill-switch as the EUC would stop balancing.

Select a first-experience location

In our shop we built a long narrow area with commercial rubber mats and a hand rail to help people get started. That’s ideal for the first part of learning, until the rider is ready to start practising turns.

Atomic EV Learning Area

You can improvise a learning zone in a garage with flat cardboard sheets laid down, or in a playground with cushion flooring (but not too soft that the wheel sinks), a field or tennis court with astroturf, or a walkway with hand rails. Otherwise find a flat field with low trimmed grass and firm ground.

Ensure the location is away from vehicles, people and pets, objects that can hit you or the EUC, or be damaged by an EUC hitting them. Depending on its speed a runaway EUC might travel a few metres before falling over.

Controlling the EUC with one leg

Start by turning on the EUC, folding out the two pedals and holding the EUC from above (not with the trolly handle extended!). Without pressing the kill switch, place one foot on the ground directly beside the EUC pedal (not in front nor behind) and put the other foot on the pedal. Initially it can be easier to place the dominant foot on the pedal and the non-dominant foot on the ground – later you’ll want to be able to perform this with either leg.

Push the lower leg of the foot which is on the EUC inward against the pad on the side of the EUC. This is important to be able to do and EUCs provide side pads to make this more comfortable. Now stop holding onto the EUC and try to stand more upright with one foot on the pedal holding the EUC in place and the other foot still on the ground to the side.

Practice pushing the leg sideways to change the side-to-side tilt of the EUC. If you get the angle and pressure correct you can almost lift the first foot off the ground for a few seconds without the EUC immediately falling over. If there’s not enough angle or pressure when the foot on floor is lifted the EUC will immediately fall to the other side due to all the body weight being on that pedal, and you could fall.

Getting on and off the EUC

Now hold on to a rail for support (or a stationary friend) with (only) one hand and put the second foot on the pedal. Don’t use the rail to support your weight, only for balance, and do not lean toward the rail. You want to keep your weight directly above the EUC and stand upright. Reverse the steps (still holding onto the rail with one hand) by pushing one leg against the side of the EUC to angle it and take the opposite foot off the pedal.

Practice this a few times to get comfortable and understand how much angle and leg pressure you require when getting on and off the EUC without using the hand to support any weight. It is common for the ankle and inner lower leg to get a bit tired and a little sore the first few times while practicing.

Developing balance

Next hold on to the rail and now put the second foot also on the pedal. Spend time balancing with both feet on the EUC until you feel comfortable and are not placing significant weight on the rail. Experiment with the foot position on each pedal – start with the feet in the middle of each pedal, closer to the wheel makes it easier to push against the sides of the EUC to control its side-to-side angle, whereas a wider stance is easier to balance. Ensure your posture is upright to make the balancing easier, perhaps with knees slightly bent, but not hunched over. Try to look forward not down, to prevent hunching over and to look where you are going to go.

With the hand holding the rail maintained in one place try gently shifting your weight forward, then when the EUC starts to accelerate gently shift it backward – either by pressing through both toes and then both heels, or by gently shifting the hips (and upper body) a bit forward and back. This will start a small rocking movement back and forth in place. This rocking back and forth will help your brain develop the muscle coordination while the hand on the rail helps with the initial balancing. The rocking can grow in amplitude as you get more comfortable and stable. Spending time doing this each session as you get better is a great training exercise, as it helps give the brain time to coordinate muscles and develop the muscle memory for riding.

Starting to move

It requires very good balance to be able to simply get on a stationary EUC and start riding. Like with a bicycle, instead it is easier for the EUC to have some initial forward momentum, which will help stabilise the EUC upright. Using the foot that is on the ground to give a gentle push helps get the EUC moving. This is why that foot should be alongside the EUC rather than in front or behind, as the push should be directly forward rather than to one side. On heavier wheels it can also help to simultaneously press the toes of the foot which is on the pedal to gently tilt the EUC forward and start it accelerating.

Getting the push just right takes a little practice. A good exercise to perform (without holding onto any rail) is to push with the foot on the ground, momentarily raise it off the ground as the EUC moves and then put it back on the ground alongside – essentially hopping along with just one foot on the EUC. This can be a bit tiring for the ankle and lower inner leg but is useful to practice. It is important to land the foot back down in the correct position (not directly in front of the wheel, not too far away, not behind) to avoid running over or twisting that foot.

After a bit of practice the hops will progress in length and your technique will improve. Eventually you’ll find that you can start getting the second foot onto its pedal and be able to ride – having a rail alongside helps in case you might start to fall or veer off course.

Practice, practice, practice this. Ideally this should be mastered without having to grab onto anything to stop. Reaching out to grab something to help stop is not a great strategy as it results in you shifting your body weight, making the EUC turn or accelerate while you’re trying to stop.

Turning

Once you build a little confidence going short distances in a reasonably straight line and be able to stop without grabbing anything, you can try some gentle turns. Turns will come naturally, and really just require the weight to be shifted more to one side than the other. Eventually you’ll become a master of carving and will have amazing control of the EUC, wondering why you initially struggled with turning or would turn to one side better than to the other side.

Looking in the direction of the turn might be sufficient to cause the turn, or gently shifting the upper body from the hips a little to one side or the other will help, or applying more pressure to the foot on the inside direction of turn. If you start to struggle just jump off and let the EUC fall over rather than risk taking a tumble yourself.

Clock up the kilometres

Once confident starting and stopping without a rail and with basic turns progress becomes more rapid and you’ll be able to start adding valuable experience through riding for periods of time.

Try riding on a variety of terrains and environments. Start with areas in which you are quite familiar and gradually challenge yourself a bit more as you gain experience. If you encounter something too tricky (eg too steep, too rough, close to traffic, riding sideways along a slope) just stop, get off and walk through to where you are comfortable restarting. Look at the location and try to plan a strategy for how you might try riding it next time.

Any defeats will only be temporary, and any jumps or falls hopefully only dent your pride and become valuable learning experiences. For example, riding sideways along a slope can be a little tricky initially, and to stop will require the foot on the uphill (not downhill!) side be placed on the ground. So you’ll need to practice starting and stopping with either foot and be conscious of which foot should be taken off the pedal.

Be enthusiastic but not overconfident

As your riding progresses set milestones and speed limits based on experience (eg total km travelled) and stick with them, just as learners should do for motorcycles. One example would be to set a speed restriction on the EUC at 20 km/h for first 50 km, 30 km/h for next 100 km, etc, staying cautious with top speed and unfamiliar conditions for at least the first 500 km. Be cautious if you make a large adjustment in tyre pressure or suspension as it will change how the EUC rides, and also be conservative when riding an unfamiliar EUC.

Once the learning progress starts accelerating so too will your confidence riding, which is great. But there are still muscle reflexes that take time to develop, and at higher speeds there is less time to react so riders are more dependent on subconscious reactions. Always pay particular attention for cars cutting you off or pulling out in front of you (even when the driver has clearly seen you), sudden wind gusts (especially from the side), children or dogs running out in your path (or even distracted adults), sand/gravel/loose dirt, and unexpected bumps or potholes in the road.

More information

There are many tutorials available online on how to ride an EUC, and various opinions on the best ways to learn. Some of the more popular ones are:

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