Shipping A Scooter

(The following PSA article came to us entirely by way of Mr. Ben Leffler, uship.com) 

We can all agree that scooters are great. They’re economical, ecologically-friendly, convenient and fun. They’re easy to park and even easier to fill-up. What they aren’t, however, is a particularly efficient mode of long-distance transportation. For this reason, you may be inclined to ship your scooter rather than drive it, should you be faced with transporting it a significant distance.  When this situation arises there are several steps that should be taken to minimize the potential for damage while in shipment, as well as help you collect from insurance should anything happen. 

The first step in preparing your scooter for transport is full-body wash. As you scrub, note any existing scratches, dents, dings or other imperfections and document them with both a written account and by taking photos. Take your time, as this will be very helpful should anything happen and you are forced to file a claim. 

Following the scrub, remove any loose items that could possibly be lost while in route. This includes but is not limited to baskets, flags, bells, whistles and anything else you have added. The scooter may be shaken during transport causing these to fall off and a carrier’s insurance will not cover any missing or damaged accessories, so double check that you’ve got everything. 

The final step is a quick mechanical check-up. Even though your scooter will probably not be driven during shipment, the carrier may have to ride it on or off the trailer so it is important that it is in appropriate condition. Check the tire pressure, fluid levels, charge the battery and make sure it has some gas. If you have been dealing with any particular problems, it is important to make the shipper aware of this up front. 

–Written by Ben Leffler of uship.com, an online marketplace for Scooter Shipping.

(For questions or more information about uship, please contact Ben Leffler at: BLeffler@uship.com)