EUC Wiki

About the electric unicycle

The electric unicycle is a brilliant machine in itself; the main problem with the unicycle, as with everything, is the human factor.

It's suitable for riding on the pavement, the cycle path and the road alike.

The electric unicycle on the pavement

A rider on an electric unicycle takes up as much space as a pedestrian. The rider has the unicycle between their legs and takes up sideways space according to the width of their shoulders and behind. Forwards and backwards a unicyclist takes up roughly the same space as a pedestrian moving their legs. The only difference is that a unicyclist is a bit taller (and therefore has a better overview than a pedestrian).
A unicyclist can manoeuvre incredibly well, can weave, turn on the spot, etc.
A unicyclist can stop for a moment and set off again (without taking a foot off the unicycle).
For a unicyclist, accelerating and slowing down is no problem, it's fun for them. A cyclist tries not to slow down, because it costs them a lot of physical energy to get going again. A car or motorbike wears out its brake pads when braking, and setting off costs quite a bit of petrol and diesel = it costs money. For a unicyclist, braking and setting off cost a little energy = range; financially it's an absolute minimum, unlike a combustion engine and a machine weighing, say, 2.5 tonnes.
Of course, a unicyclist on the pavement must be extremely careful and move at a pedestrian's pace.
Of course it's more sensible to use the pavement only when there's a serious reason.

The electric unicycle on the cycle path

The unicycle takes up an absolute minimum of space, unlike roller skates etc.
For a unicyclist it's pleasant and natural to move at a bicycle's pace.

The electric unicycle on the road

Even weaker unicycles can move at a bicycle's pace, so a unicyclist on the road should have the same rights as a cyclist.
Powerful electric unicycles can move around the city at the same speed as scooters, motorbikes or cars.
Unicycles don't pollute the air and take up an absolute minimum of space; from this it follows that for the future of our cities (after walking and public transport, of course) they are the most suitable of all individual means of transport (taking into account, of course, the hilliness of Czech cities = in many cities the bicycle is, because of the hills, mainly a means of transport for athletes and not for the general public).

Rules for riding an electric unicycle

The rules are rational rules based on the other road-traffic rules and decent behaviour.

The most basic rule: do not endanger

Rules for riding on the pavement

In short, a rider on an electric unicycle should behave on the pavement like a pedestrian.

On the pavement it's absolutely unacceptable for a unicycle rider not to follow the rule for motor vehicles in a pedestrian zone: "In a pedestrian zone the driver may travel at a speed of no more than 20 km/h. In doing so they must show increased consideration for pedestrians, whom they must not endanger; if necessary they must stop the vehicle." and to move at a speed greater than 20 km/h. (These are Czech road rules.)

Rules for riding in a pedestrian zone

In short, a rider on an electric unicycle should behave in a pedestrian zone like a pedestrian.

In a pedestrian zone it's unacceptable for a unicycle rider not to follow the rule for motor vehicles: "In a pedestrian zone the driver may travel at a speed of no more than 20 km/h. In doing so they must show increased consideration for pedestrians, whom they must not endanger; if necessary they must stop the vehicle." and to move at a speed greater than 20 km/h. (These are Czech road rules.)

Rules for riding on a cycle path

In short, a rider on an electric unicycle should behave on a cycle path like a cyclist.

Rules for riding on the road

In short, a rider on an electric unicycle should behave on the road like a scooter or motorbike and follow the road-traffic rules.