Still, that’s a huge improvement over the 35 kilometres or so I get on the same paths with the G2; I’m now getting to and from work with heaps of range to spare. The machine also charges quickly, going to full in around two and a half hours. It has a port at the front to support an additional battery, which Segway Ninebot plans to sell soon.

The tech and instruments have seen an overhaul too. The electronic horn is gone and replaced with a low-fi bicycle bell, which is an improvement given people don’t tend to react as much to a loud beep. The headlight is big, bright, adjustable and can turn on automatically, joined by a smaller always-on light bar for visibility. And the display is now a more functional full colour LCD. It shows your current mode, speed and the time, as well as the battery remaining and a range estimate.

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The scooter connects to an app for tweaking the settings (and you can register it using Apple Find My, for tracking if it’s stolen), but it’s worth granting the extra permissions for the always-on Bluetooth connection. When you do, the scooter can unlock automatically as you approach, so you can set a password to discourage theft but you won’t need to actually enter it. If you get a call while riding, the number or contact name will appear on the screen, which is handy to let you know whether you need to pull over and answer.

The display can also show turn-by-turn directions thanks to a collaboration with HERE Maps, but it isn’t super compelling. You enter your destination on your phone and get a couple of route options, but there’s no way to customise the path to avoid busy roads or stick to bike lanes. I still prefer to build a path with Komoot and have directions read into my earbud.

Safety concerns

Even though the number of people safely and regularly commuting on e-scooters has at least doubled over the past year (going purely off my observations), it’s no secret that the vehicles in general have a bit of a PR problem. I’m still commonly told that they’re likely to catch fire, or warned that they’re dangerous and maim people. So, is this true?

To summarise the current (fairly limited) research, and interviews I’ve had with many experts, e-scooters can potentially catch fire or result in serious injury. But while you need to be aware of those possibilities, the overwhelming majority of both kinds of incidents are preventable.

Fires are almost entirely the result of people importing cheap and non-compliant units from overseas, making unsafe battery modifications, using incorrect chargers and/or continuing to use the vehicle after serious battery damage. It’s vital to buy known brands from trusted sellers, because that’s how you get vehicles with rigorously tested battery management systems. Any aftermarket modifications to the battery, charger or software are big no-nos.

Similarly, the worst injuries are the result of people riding illegally; in the wrong places, without safety equipment, too fast, without any experience, while underage or while intoxicated.

So, does the MAX G3 make any specific improvements from a safety point of view?

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The much improved headlight helps visibility, and I like that there’s a light underneath the deck to make you more easily seen from the side in the dark. Hitting the indicator flashes this underglow light as well as the handles, though I wish there were proper indicators on the back for visibility in sunlight.

There’s a traction control system that’s turned off by default, which will cut the speed to prevent slipping and drifting, though in my experience it’s aggressively preemptive.

The improved hydraulics and many vague advancements in design obviously do something, because it’s a noticeably smoother and more stable-feeling ride compared to the G2, but I’m sure it’s far from infallible. Anybody who thinks they can get on a scooter with no experience and head off down the track at top speed will find they’re quite mistaken. Like a bicycle or a motorbike, an e-scooter is something you need to practice on so you can get a sense for what happens when you brake or swerve.

All that said, among the e-scooters available at Australian retail the MAX G3 seems like a stellar pick for commuting thanks to its comfort and long range. Currently you’ll find it for around $2000, so it won’t be easy to justify if you already have something that’s only a year old, but the combination of performance and beginner-friendliness will be enticing for first timers looking for a car- or bus-free way to get to work.

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