Scooters on the way in the US?
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Scooters on the way in the US?
High gas prices are fueling a surge in scooter popularity in the US. Could scooters, already popular in many Asian countries and parts of Europe, become a mainstay of American cities?
Well, maybe the big cities. I couldn't see them being too practical in most of California, or most suburbs for that matter. But after riding them around in Taiwan for a summer, I can say that they're really fun and extremely useful in high traffic environments. Easy to park where it's impossible to park a car, fuel efficient, maneuverable, etc. Safety concerns are valid, because American drivers aren't used to dealing with a bunch of scooters weaving around all over the place. But I, for one, wouldn't mind seeing more scooters scooting around.
As for the practicality factor, people in Taiwan use their scooters for everything. You can put all sorts of things on the floor between your legs. I've ridden with a computer, lunch, drinks, a duffle bag, backpack - and all with an extra passenger riding on the back. I've seen a fully-grown labrador riding along, and even three or four people stuffed onto one (not the best idea).
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9041933/
Well, maybe the big cities. I couldn't see them being too practical in most of California, or most suburbs for that matter. But after riding them around in Taiwan for a summer, I can say that they're really fun and extremely useful in high traffic environments. Easy to park where it's impossible to park a car, fuel efficient, maneuverable, etc. Safety concerns are valid, because American drivers aren't used to dealing with a bunch of scooters weaving around all over the place. But I, for one, wouldn't mind seeing more scooters scooting around.
As for the practicality factor, people in Taiwan use their scooters for everything. You can put all sorts of things on the floor between your legs. I've ridden with a computer, lunch, drinks, a duffle bag, backpack - and all with an extra passenger riding on the back. I've seen a fully-grown labrador riding along, and even three or four people stuffed onto one (not the best idea).
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9041933/
Motor scooters gain in popularity
Sales soar as Americans look for relief from soaring gas prices
AP - Updated: 4:16 a.m. MT Aug 24, 2005
PIERRE, S.D. - Gasoline pushing $3 gallon? Why worry? Buy a motor scooter like thousands of other Americans and stretch that single gallon of gas a week or more.
“As people start driving them, they start finding more reasons to use them,” said Doug Day, owner of Scooter Centrale and Vespa Hartford in Plainville, Conn. “They’re practical, easy to park and get great gas mileage. I put $5 worth of gas into mine when it’s totally empty, compared to $50 in my SUV.”
As gasoline prices soar, the popularity of peppy, fuel-sipping motor scooters — most easily get 50 miles per gallon and some of the smaller ones get up to 80 mpg — is soaring. Sales, estimated at 86,000 last year in the U.S., have doubled from 2000, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council.
“I put about 20 miles a day on mine, and I only have to fill it up twice a month,” said Jessica Meuchel, 23, who uses a scooter to deliver daily newspapers in Pierre, S.D. She bought the two-wheeler this spring because it was costing her $200 a month to fuel her truck.
Even the larger scooters are more economical to drive than cars, says Day. He says sales at his shops climbed nearly 200 percent last year and are doing well this year, too.
MIC spokesman Mike Mount said the market gained momentum when upscale Italian scooter maker Piaggio re-entered the U.S. market with the legendary Vespa scooter in 2001. Motorcycle makers such as Honda and Yamaha also began offering new lines of scooters in recent years.
Scooters were pioneered in postwar Europe by Piaggio, which made the first Vespa in 1946.
Gary Christopher, an executive with American Honda Motor Co. in Los Angeles, said Honda heavily promoted U.S. scooter sales in the 1980s, but annual U.S. sales peaked in 1987 and slumped after advertising was pared. They have long been popular in coastal areas and warmer climates, but more also are being sold in states with colder weather, he said.
“It looks like this new resurgence of interest in scooters is something that can stand on its own without massive injections of advertising and promotion,” Christopher said.
Although scooters are economical, the fun factor cannot be overlooked, Christopher said.
“There’s just something about a scooter that invites you to jump on it and go,” Christopher said.
Dwight Turner, owner of GS MotorWorks in Frisco, Texas, a large seller of imported motor scooters from China, attributed the fad in part to rising gasoline prices and the coming of age of youngsters who have graduated from popular foot-propelled sidewalk scooters.
“Many 10- to 13-year-olds bought those scooters, and then got hooked on the idea of riding scooters instead of bicycles and are moving up the scooter food chain,” Turner said.
Scooter sales at his firm climbed 300 percent last year, and they increased 50 percent this past April alone, primarily because of high gasoline prices, he said.
“We sell to many teenage customers, college students, as well as people in bigger metro areas looking for more economic travel and parking options,” Turner said. “I would estimate that 50 percent of our customers buy scooters for primary transportation and 50 percent buy them as a toy.”
Ross Petersen, a motorcycle and scooter dealer in Pierre, said scooters have turned into a fashion statement for some teenagers.
“It’s kind of cool,” he said. “You’ll see a little group of them riding around together, and that feeds it.”
Small scooters, especially those made in China, Korea and Taiwan, sell for as little as $800-$900. Larger scooters, capable of legal highway speeds and more, can cost $4,000 to $6,000.
Scooters, while fun to drive, also can be dangerous. Other motorists often don’t notice the small two-wheelers, and that can land scooter drivers in the hospital — or the morgue.
Inexperienced and young scooter drivers should be especially careful, Petersen says.
“I see a lot of people driving scooters with shorts, flip flops, no helmet, two-up on a machine that shouldn’t ride two people,” he says. “Scooters are pretty small, and the headlight’s always on for safety, but sometimes people driving bigger vehicles don’t see them. We’ve all seen those drivers with a cell phone in one hand, a cigarette in the other. I don’t know how they can drive.”
Motor scooters are usually regulated by state laws as either motorcycles or mopeds. If classified as motorcycles, special licensing endorsements are required. Several states require young drivers to wear helmets, Mount says. As for liability insurance, some states require it and others don’t, he said.
While parking his scooter at an annual motorcycle rally that draws hundreds of thousands to Sturgis, S.D., Fred Hathaway said he uses his scooter to avoid traffic congestion. Hathaway, 70, a Dover, Del., silversmith who travels around the country to fix jewelry, said he finds it easier to ride a scooter than a motorcycle.
“This is a good-riding scooter,” Hathaway said. “I’ve got two plastic knees, and throwing them over the seat of a motorcycle doesn’t work for me.”
Mount says the median age of scooter owners is 46, but they have wide appeal to both young and old, males and females. One-fourth of scooter owners are women, he says.
“Scooters are an easy entree into the world of two-wheeling for many people and are less intimidating than motorcycles,” Mount says. “And if you’re getting 50 to 70 miles per gallon, that’s a lot better than pretty much any car you can buy.”
Sales soar as Americans look for relief from soaring gas prices
AP - Updated: 4:16 a.m. MT Aug 24, 2005
PIERRE, S.D. - Gasoline pushing $3 gallon? Why worry? Buy a motor scooter like thousands of other Americans and stretch that single gallon of gas a week or more.
“As people start driving them, they start finding more reasons to use them,” said Doug Day, owner of Scooter Centrale and Vespa Hartford in Plainville, Conn. “They’re practical, easy to park and get great gas mileage. I put $5 worth of gas into mine when it’s totally empty, compared to $50 in my SUV.”
As gasoline prices soar, the popularity of peppy, fuel-sipping motor scooters — most easily get 50 miles per gallon and some of the smaller ones get up to 80 mpg — is soaring. Sales, estimated at 86,000 last year in the U.S., have doubled from 2000, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council.
“I put about 20 miles a day on mine, and I only have to fill it up twice a month,” said Jessica Meuchel, 23, who uses a scooter to deliver daily newspapers in Pierre, S.D. She bought the two-wheeler this spring because it was costing her $200 a month to fuel her truck.
Even the larger scooters are more economical to drive than cars, says Day. He says sales at his shops climbed nearly 200 percent last year and are doing well this year, too.
MIC spokesman Mike Mount said the market gained momentum when upscale Italian scooter maker Piaggio re-entered the U.S. market with the legendary Vespa scooter in 2001. Motorcycle makers such as Honda and Yamaha also began offering new lines of scooters in recent years.
Scooters were pioneered in postwar Europe by Piaggio, which made the first Vespa in 1946.
Gary Christopher, an executive with American Honda Motor Co. in Los Angeles, said Honda heavily promoted U.S. scooter sales in the 1980s, but annual U.S. sales peaked in 1987 and slumped after advertising was pared. They have long been popular in coastal areas and warmer climates, but more also are being sold in states with colder weather, he said.
“It looks like this new resurgence of interest in scooters is something that can stand on its own without massive injections of advertising and promotion,” Christopher said.
Although scooters are economical, the fun factor cannot be overlooked, Christopher said.
“There’s just something about a scooter that invites you to jump on it and go,” Christopher said.
Dwight Turner, owner of GS MotorWorks in Frisco, Texas, a large seller of imported motor scooters from China, attributed the fad in part to rising gasoline prices and the coming of age of youngsters who have graduated from popular foot-propelled sidewalk scooters.
“Many 10- to 13-year-olds bought those scooters, and then got hooked on the idea of riding scooters instead of bicycles and are moving up the scooter food chain,” Turner said.
Scooter sales at his firm climbed 300 percent last year, and they increased 50 percent this past April alone, primarily because of high gasoline prices, he said.
“We sell to many teenage customers, college students, as well as people in bigger metro areas looking for more economic travel and parking options,” Turner said. “I would estimate that 50 percent of our customers buy scooters for primary transportation and 50 percent buy them as a toy.”
Ross Petersen, a motorcycle and scooter dealer in Pierre, said scooters have turned into a fashion statement for some teenagers.
“It’s kind of cool,” he said. “You’ll see a little group of them riding around together, and that feeds it.”
Small scooters, especially those made in China, Korea and Taiwan, sell for as little as $800-$900. Larger scooters, capable of legal highway speeds and more, can cost $4,000 to $6,000.
Scooters, while fun to drive, also can be dangerous. Other motorists often don’t notice the small two-wheelers, and that can land scooter drivers in the hospital — or the morgue.
Inexperienced and young scooter drivers should be especially careful, Petersen says.
“I see a lot of people driving scooters with shorts, flip flops, no helmet, two-up on a machine that shouldn’t ride two people,” he says. “Scooters are pretty small, and the headlight’s always on for safety, but sometimes people driving bigger vehicles don’t see them. We’ve all seen those drivers with a cell phone in one hand, a cigarette in the other. I don’t know how they can drive.”
Motor scooters are usually regulated by state laws as either motorcycles or mopeds. If classified as motorcycles, special licensing endorsements are required. Several states require young drivers to wear helmets, Mount says. As for liability insurance, some states require it and others don’t, he said.
While parking his scooter at an annual motorcycle rally that draws hundreds of thousands to Sturgis, S.D., Fred Hathaway said he uses his scooter to avoid traffic congestion. Hathaway, 70, a Dover, Del., silversmith who travels around the country to fix jewelry, said he finds it easier to ride a scooter than a motorcycle.
“This is a good-riding scooter,” Hathaway said. “I’ve got two plastic knees, and throwing them over the seat of a motorcycle doesn’t work for me.”
Mount says the median age of scooter owners is 46, but they have wide appeal to both young and old, males and females. One-fourth of scooter owners are women, he says.
“Scooters are an easy entree into the world of two-wheeling for many people and are less intimidating than motorcycles,” Mount says. “And if you’re getting 50 to 70 miles per gallon, that’s a lot better than pretty much any car you can buy.”
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Senior Member
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From: CA
A survey commissioned by Piaggio USA, the makers of the Vespa scooter. 30% of Americans would consider using a scooter for everyday use. 33% would use a scooter for environmental reasons, and 35% said they would use a scooter if they could save $25 a week on gas.
http://sev.prnewswire.com/auto/20060...2052006-1.html
http://sev.prnewswire.com/auto/20060...2052006-1.html
30 Percent of Americans Would Consider Using a Motor Scooter for Everyday Transportation Needs
Scooters Could Save American Consumers 14 Million Gallons of Gasoline Per Day
NEW YORK, May 22 /PRNewswire/ -- As gas prices soar to record highs, a new national survey released today found that 30% of U.S. consumers would be extremely or somewhat likely to consider using a motor scooter for their everyday transportation needs. According to the survey conducted in the first week of May of 2006, these individuals indicted a willingness to transfer 35% of their weekly mileage to a scooter.
By comparing the results of the survey to Department of Energy national averages for fuel consumption and emissions, the findings establish that if Americans were to utilize one of the latest eco-friendly scooters available in the market today, they could, in aggregate, reduce national fuel consumption by 14 million gallons of gasoline per day and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 324 million lbs. per day.
"Scooters" were defined in the survey as two-wheel vehicles that can reach 40-100mph, whose average cost is $2,000 or above. The survey was fielded by ICR on behalf of Piaggio Group Americas, the manufacturer of the Vespa(R) brand scooter and a leading manufacturer of two-wheel vehicles.
"The benefits of scooters are well known around the globe, as they are part of the daily behavior for millions of people worldwide," said Paolo Timoni, President and CEO of Piaggio Group Americas. "While growing in popularity, scooters are only marginally embraced in the U.S. where millions of individuals drive cars in situations where motor scooters would be perfectly appropriate and convenient. Scooters are an additional transportation solution to help reduce consumer gas spending, but also provide an environmentally friendly transportation mode as a result of its low MPG and modern engine technologies."
The survey found other strong factors motivating consumer's willingness to consider utilizing a scooter, including environmental concerns and overall cost savings. The survey found that 33% of Americans would be likely to use a scooter to reduce emission harmful to the environment, 35% would be likely to use a scooter to save $25.00 a week on gasoline.
This survey underscores the growing popularity of two-wheel vehicles. Scooter sales have increased tremendously over the past two years and manufacturers are preparing for a busy summer of record sales. U.S. sales of all Piaggio brand scooters through its dealer network increased by an impressive 15% in 2005. These achievements were driven by the launch of new dealerships, new products and overall increased brand awareness in key U.S. markets. Piaggio, which re-entered the U.S. market in 2000, now has dealerships in over 100 locations -- over 50 of which have opened since January 2005.
About The Piaggio Group:
Established in 1884 by Rinaldo Piaggio and based in Pontedera (Pisa, Italy), the Piaggio Group is one of the world's top manufacturers of two-wheel motor vehicles. With over 6,000 employees in 50 countries, the Piaggio Group has a consolidated leadership in the European 2-wheeler market, and a particularly strong presence in the scooter and 50cc vehicles segment, with 40 percent market share in Europe and 48 percent in Italy. Its production includes scooters, motorcycles and mopeds in the 50cc to over 1000 cc displacement range, marketed under the Piaggio, Vespa, Gilera, Derbi, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi and Scarabeo brands. The Piaggio Group is controlled by Immsi S.p.A., an industrial and services holding listed on the Milan Stock Exchange, and is headed by Chairman Roberto Colaninno and Chief Executive Officer Rocco Sabelli.
Across its more than 120-year history, the company has been active in almost every area of transport including: naval fittings; the construction of locomotives and rolling stock; engines for the aeronautics sector; seaplanes; and civil and military aircraft. Since the introduction of the Vespa scooter in 1946, Piaggio has led the way in meeting the growing demand for personal mobility. A universally recognized symbol of Italian style, Vespa is an outstanding success story with more than 16 million scooters produced to date.
Website: http://www.vespausa.com/
Scooters Could Save American Consumers 14 Million Gallons of Gasoline Per Day
NEW YORK, May 22 /PRNewswire/ -- As gas prices soar to record highs, a new national survey released today found that 30% of U.S. consumers would be extremely or somewhat likely to consider using a motor scooter for their everyday transportation needs. According to the survey conducted in the first week of May of 2006, these individuals indicted a willingness to transfer 35% of their weekly mileage to a scooter.
By comparing the results of the survey to Department of Energy national averages for fuel consumption and emissions, the findings establish that if Americans were to utilize one of the latest eco-friendly scooters available in the market today, they could, in aggregate, reduce national fuel consumption by 14 million gallons of gasoline per day and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 324 million lbs. per day.
"Scooters" were defined in the survey as two-wheel vehicles that can reach 40-100mph, whose average cost is $2,000 or above. The survey was fielded by ICR on behalf of Piaggio Group Americas, the manufacturer of the Vespa(R) brand scooter and a leading manufacturer of two-wheel vehicles.
"The benefits of scooters are well known around the globe, as they are part of the daily behavior for millions of people worldwide," said Paolo Timoni, President and CEO of Piaggio Group Americas. "While growing in popularity, scooters are only marginally embraced in the U.S. where millions of individuals drive cars in situations where motor scooters would be perfectly appropriate and convenient. Scooters are an additional transportation solution to help reduce consumer gas spending, but also provide an environmentally friendly transportation mode as a result of its low MPG and modern engine technologies."
The survey found other strong factors motivating consumer's willingness to consider utilizing a scooter, including environmental concerns and overall cost savings. The survey found that 33% of Americans would be likely to use a scooter to reduce emission harmful to the environment, 35% would be likely to use a scooter to save $25.00 a week on gasoline.
This survey underscores the growing popularity of two-wheel vehicles. Scooter sales have increased tremendously over the past two years and manufacturers are preparing for a busy summer of record sales. U.S. sales of all Piaggio brand scooters through its dealer network increased by an impressive 15% in 2005. These achievements were driven by the launch of new dealerships, new products and overall increased brand awareness in key U.S. markets. Piaggio, which re-entered the U.S. market in 2000, now has dealerships in over 100 locations -- over 50 of which have opened since January 2005.
About The Piaggio Group:
Established in 1884 by Rinaldo Piaggio and based in Pontedera (Pisa, Italy), the Piaggio Group is one of the world's top manufacturers of two-wheel motor vehicles. With over 6,000 employees in 50 countries, the Piaggio Group has a consolidated leadership in the European 2-wheeler market, and a particularly strong presence in the scooter and 50cc vehicles segment, with 40 percent market share in Europe and 48 percent in Italy. Its production includes scooters, motorcycles and mopeds in the 50cc to over 1000 cc displacement range, marketed under the Piaggio, Vespa, Gilera, Derbi, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi and Scarabeo brands. The Piaggio Group is controlled by Immsi S.p.A., an industrial and services holding listed on the Milan Stock Exchange, and is headed by Chairman Roberto Colaninno and Chief Executive Officer Rocco Sabelli.
Across its more than 120-year history, the company has been active in almost every area of transport including: naval fittings; the construction of locomotives and rolling stock; engines for the aeronautics sector; seaplanes; and civil and military aircraft. Since the introduction of the Vespa scooter in 1946, Piaggio has led the way in meeting the growing demand for personal mobility. A universally recognized symbol of Italian style, Vespa is an outstanding success story with more than 16 million scooters produced to date.
Website: http://www.vespausa.com/
Apathy Kills
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From: The Left Lane
If we actually had talented and responsible drivers out here in LA, I'd definitely switch to a sub-600cc bike for my daily commute...:hs:
But as things are today, it's just too dangerous. All it takes is one careless lane-change by some idiot cager and you're little more than a greasy stain.
But as things are today, it's just too dangerous. All it takes is one careless lane-change by some idiot cager and you're little more than a greasy stain.
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UP AND ADD THEM
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,559
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From: Texas
I would love to have a motorcycle to commute around campus. Be it 250 or 600cc (as my first bike 
), I just have to get around my parents finding out.
Everyday I see more and more riders from scooters, vespas, to crotch rockets, even in this crazy heat.
), I just have to get around my parents finding out.Everyday I see more and more riders from scooters, vespas, to crotch rockets, even in this crazy heat.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 10
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From: Toronto
I'm an 2004 Acura TL driver and love driving my car. However, for the last couple of years I have been riding my Yamaha Vino 125 cc scooter for daily transportation and fun. Nothing beats the fuel efficiency or fun of riding my scooter to work everyday. I look forward to my ride, but have to take great caution as motorists in Toronto still don't really see people on scooters. With this size of scooter I can go up to 90 km/hr or so. I have no problem keeping up with traffic in the city and can beat most cars at red lights.
I missed Sean
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 11,285
Likes: 1
From: Fairfield/Bridgeport CT
there must be 300 in my town alone. it's condiered a suburb and the reason why they are in use is because A) you get great mileage B)they get around real well in traffic C) you get to take in the great scenery while going into work. D) they are just plain fun.
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 650
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From: NY
Originally Posted by Llamaguy
I don't understand people on them at all, why would you want to ride a buzzy little chair?
PS: you can rise scooters all you want, but I still won't wave.
PS: you can rise scooters all you want, but I still won't wave.
Because there is really no good reason to drive a 6000-lbs piece of crappo for 5 blocks just so that you can buy a loaf of bread.
