What is the difference between Kick Scooters and Kick Bikes?
Kick scooters and kick bikes (aka foot bikes) are both leg-powered, but they serve different needs. Kick scooters are compact and built for short-distance travel, like city commuting. They have smaller wheels (usually under 12″) and an upright riding stance. Kick bikes are made for longer rides and speed, with larger wheels (up to 26″) and a forward-leaning position that helps with performance and endurance.
In short, scooters are for quick trips; foot bikes are for covering ground.
Purpose
Kick scooters are made for getting around short rides, errands, commuting. They’re light, quick to grab, and easy to steer in tight spaces. Kick bikes lean more toward speed and distance. You’ll often see them used for exercise, touring, or just covering more ground with less effort.
Size
Kick scooters are small and easy to handle, usually with wheels no bigger than 12 inches. That keeps them light and perfect for weaving through crowds or hopping curbs on smooth ground. Kick bikes are built bigger, with wheel sizes between 12 and 26 inches. Most have a large front wheel for speed and stability, and a smaller 12-inch one in the back.
Riding Position
On a kick scooter, you stand upright, hands on the bars. If the deck’s wide enough, you can keep both feet side by side—makes it easier to switch legs as you ride. On a footbike, the stance changes. You lean forward a bit, grip lower handlebars, and ride with one foot behind the other. This posture helps you cut through the air more easily and hold a steady pace. Switching legs usually means a quick step or jump.
Purpose and Terrain
A kick scooter is ideal for short-distance travel, such as city sightseeing or riding alongside pedestrians on sidewalks. Kick bikes, on the other hand, are built for longer distances and are best suited for bike paths and more open roads.
Kick scooters are best for short rides: city sightseeing, quick errands, or rolling along sidewalks. But they need smooth surfaces. Cracks, bumps, or potholes can throw you off, thanks to the small wheels. Kick bikes open things up. They’re made for distance, better for bike lanes, longer paths, and roads where you can stretch out and pick up speed, even if the surface isn’t perfect.
Boardy: a Hybrid between Kick Scooters and Kickbikes
Boardy combines the best features of both kick scooters and kick bikes. It keeps the compact feel of a kick scooter, more specifically a big wheel scooter (12″), and adds a foldable frame with a lightweight build. At the same time, it delivers the speed and range you’d expect from a kick bike. The riding position is close to that of a scooter, but with extras like air-inflated tires and a rim brake—details you’d usually find on kick bikes.
