Imagine you are riding your electric unicycle without a care in the world and you suddenly find yourself sliding on the ground, watching your 65lb (30kg) single wheeled device barrelling ahead of you at some 30 miles an hour, towards other vehicles or worse still, innocent pedestrians. The legal consequences could be substantial!
What is an electric unicycle safety tether?
An electric unicycle (EUC) safety tether is a stretchable tether designed to help arrest a rolling / barrelling EUC, in the event of an accident or unexpected dismount. The safety tether connects the rider to their device, with automatic breaking points and a manual emergency release.
In the event of an accident or technical issue, a properly constructed safety tether, can quickly arrest your device, reducing risk of damage to property or serious injury to people. A safety tether will also help minimise damage to your device!
Will my insurance cover any accidents?
Due to self balancing unicycles being a relatively recent form of transportation and given that several countries are still finalising legislation around PLEVs, there are currently limited insurance options available.
PLEV insurance policies that do exist for electric unicycles, will only provide cover where it can be proved that the device was ridden legally within local laws. Such policies may or may not include personal liability cover.
Risks of riding an EUC without a safety tether
In the event that your self balancing electric unicycle causes damage to property or people, you as the rider could be liable for any property repairs, medical treatments and / or legal bills.
How does a safety tether work?
In the event you come off your device, a stretchable safety tether will apply more arresting force to the EUC as the tether stretches, initially causing the device to fall on its side ceasing a barrelling / rolling motion, before bringing the electric unicycle to a stop.
Can I use a safety tether on other personal electric vehicles?
Safety tethers can be effective on other forms of personal electric transport such as electric scooters, electric skateboards and one wheeled devices. Care should be taken to ensure the tether is of adequate length, to ensure it does not interfere with either the device or riders legs while riding.
Will a safety tether cause harm to the rider?
A properly constructed stretchable safety tether is unlikely to cause harm to the rider. Any harm caused, will likely be minimal and would surely be preferred to being responsible for damage to property or people.
To further reduce the risk of harm, it is recommended to have multiple breaking points designed into your safety tether.
Automatic Release - If the rider becomes unconscious.
Manual Release - To prevent the rider from being dragged.
Depending on how you design / build your own safety tether, your safety gear should help protect against risk of recoil.
How is a safety tether attached?
It is good practice to connect a safety tether is around the riders hips (I connect my tether to a strong belt), with the other end usually through the handle of the electric unicycle. Do not attach the tether around your waist, arms or legs or any potential weak points on your device.
How long should the safety tether be?
Tether length can vary according to rider height, wheel height, wheel weight and riding speed. The longer a safety tether is, the more it will stretch resulting in lower pulling forces on the rider.
A stretchable tether should be long enough (fully retracted) to not interfere with your legs or the device itself, while riding.
A good starting point is to stand on your device while supporting yourself and measure from your hip to where the handle of your device meets your leg / calf.
Can I buy an EUC safety tether?
Currently such tethers are not available on the market. However you can make your own safety tether from either a coiled surfboard leash or coiled kayak leash, with minimal effort and cost.
Can I use a non stretch safety tether?
A non stretch EUC safety tether could cause excessive force on your body, likely causing injury and the tether itself to prematurely break or release.
Example EUC safety tether
The below is my electric unicycle tether which took 15 minutes to make. I have been riding with this tether attached to my 30kg Gotway Nikola Plus the past few years.
It measures 60cm / 23.5” (un-stretched) so does not get in the way while riding and stretches up to 183cm / 72” (6’).
The tether has two key release mechanisms:
Manual release - In case the wheel falls down a steep slope, into water or gets caught under a moving vehicle.
Auto Release - Should I lose consciousness, comprises of two break points (2.5mm cable tie and velcro strap) are designed to give way, prior to pulling my body weight.
As a conservative rider (typically 20-25mph) this tether has proved to be very effective!
How do I make my own safety tether?
Your safety tether can be designed / built in many different ways according to your own height / weight, electric unicycle height / weight and riding speed. It is important to ensure that your design / build, works for you.
Purchase either a coiled surfboard leash or coiled kayak leash (the velcro ankle attachment can be used to attached to your belt).
Measure the distance from your hip to the handle of your electric unicycle, while standing on the device.
Cut the leash from the kayak / surfboard end of the tether (you may want to add additional slack if you’re a fast rider) to an appropriate (safe) length.
At the kayak / surfboard end, I used a 2.5mm cable tie to create a loop in the coil for the velcro stretchable strap.
For the manual pull away release, use brightly coloured cord as a pull loop, so it’s easily visible.
Testing the effectiveness of the auto release parts of your safety tether, will vary according to your own design. I connected connected one end of my tether to a tree, then holding the tether firmly near each auto release part I pulled hard until the tether released. For test safety, ensure you are geared up and looking away, you may also choose to have someone to assist you.
Whether you ride on public roads, cycle lanes or off road on rough terrain, a safety tether could help minimise damage to your device while helping to protect property and innocent bystanders.
Let me know in the comments below what do you think of electric unicycle safety tethers or what you use.
Ride Safe!
Frequently Asked Questions
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Common causes of electric unicycle crashes can be:
Device failure
Wheel wobble
Unexpected terrain changes
Vehicles pulling out in front of you.
People or pets running out in front of you. -
Crashes involving injury to others or damage to property, are thankfully rare.
However in the event the above does occur, contact relevant authorities (Ambulance, Police etc.) if required in the first instance, exchange contact information (inc. any witnesses) and contact your insurance company.
Pictures taken at the scene (if you are able to) may also assist regarding insurance claims or should there be any future legal action.
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Review your policy cover and contact your insurance company with any questions. Your insurance policy will only cover you if you are able to prove you were riding your electric unicycle legally. That’s where witnesses can come in handy.
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