Before your first Onewheel ride, there are a few key things you should know to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything, from setup to your first ride.
1. Get Familiar with Your Onewheel
Every Onewheel comes with a charger, an owner’s manual, and important rider safety information. It’s crucial to take the time to read through all of it before hopping on. Understanding how your board operates will help you ride confidently and avoid common beginner mistakes.
Your Onewheel will arrive partially charged, so plug it in and let it charge fully. This is a great time to review the manual and install the Onewheel app, which is necessary for:
- Accessing different riding modes
- Tracking your rides
- Installing software updates
- Monitoring battery levels
The app also contains tutorial information to help you get started.
2. Safety First: Always Wear a Helmet
Before you even think about stepping on your Onewheel, gear up! A helmet is a must—no exceptions. Falling is part of the learning process, so consider additional protective gear like wrist guards, knee pads, and elbow pads.
3. Powering On and Dismounting
How to Turn On Your Onewheel
Powering on your Onewheel is simple:
- Locate the power button on the elevated rail next to the light bar.
- Press it once, and the board will turn on.
If the light bar illuminates yellow, it means there’s an error—likely because your foot pad is not covered or the board is elevated. Simply place it in a resting position and restart it.
How to Dismount
Stepping off your Onewheel properly is just as important as getting on. There are a few ways to dismount:
- Heel Lift: When at a standstill or under 1 mph, lift your front heel to disengage the sensor pad.
- Simple Stop (if enabled): Slowly ride backward, and the Onewheel will disengage, allowing you to step off.
- Jump Off: In an emergency, jump off with both feet simultaneously.
4. Find a Safe Practice Area
Choose a flat, open space for your first ride—ideally near a wall or pole to stabilize yourself. Having a friend nearby can also be helpful.
Practicing Balance
Standing on a Onewheel is naturally challenging because of the single-wheel design. Before moving, practice getting comfortable on the board:
- Place your back foot on the back pad.
- Step up with your front foot and find your balance.
- Look forward, not at your feet.
5. Mastering Your First Ride
Lean to Move
The Onewheel is controlled by subtle shifts in your body weight:
- To move forward, look where you want to go and gently lean forward.
- To slow down or stop, lean back slightly.
Turning
Turning is all about shifting your weight:
- Heel Turn: Slightly press your heels down to turn in one direction.
- Toe Turn: Slightly press your toes down to turn in the other direction.
- Use Your Hips: Point your hips and shoulders where you want to go, and your board will follow.
A great way to practice is by doing figure eights or using parking stalls as markers.
6. Understanding Pushback
Pushback is when the nose of the board lifts up, signaling that you’re reaching the Onewheel’s speed limit or there’s a system error. If you feel pushback:
- Lean back and slow down immediately.
- If pushback continues after slowing down, stop and dismount.
Ignoring pushback can lead to nosedives, which are dangerous and can result in injury.
7. Keep Practicing and Stay Safe
Learning to ride a Onewheel takes time. The more you practice, the more natural it will feel. But remember:
- Stay consistent and don’t rush the learning process.
- Ride within your skill level—pushing too hard too soon leads to accidents.
- Respect pushback and always prioritize safety.
After a few hours of practice, you’ll start feeling more in control. Enjoy the ride, explore new places, and most importantly—have fun!