Scooter Commuter News

They drew my eye as they paraded down the street. Gramps led the way at a sedate pace on his cherry red scooter. Then came Dad on his bike followed by 2 kids on their 20-inchers, pink streamers flying from the little girl's handlebars. Bringing up the rear was junior, pumping furiously to keep up, occasionally rocking from side to side as the training wheels caught the pavement. Mom was right alongside keeping an eye on him. And Gram, slowly wheeling along on her flashy yellow scooter, signaled the end of the parade.

I caught up with them at the park. They'd always been a cycling family. They enjoyed the outdoors, the exercise, the fun, and being together. When Gran and Gramps got to the creaky knee phase of life they just weren't able to put the pedal to the metal anymore. Unwilling to miss the fun, they invested in a pair of inexpensive scooters. Gran said her scooter is perfect for errands around town or buzzing over to the grandkids' house to babysit. Gramps cruises over to the quickmart for a paper every morning and up to the school in the late afternoon to cheer for his grandson's Little League team. But the real reason they bought their scooters was to be part of the Sunday afternoon ride again. Sometimes they ride to the park or the library or the river to feed the ducks. Gramps always makes sure their route takes them past the Dairy Queen. Their cycling days may be over, but with their new scooters Gran and Gramps will be part of the weekly Sunday ride for years to come.

Whether you're looking for a light-weight scooter to run quick errands and keep up with the family or a gas-sipping, highway-ready commuter special, Scootertronics has the scooter for you at a price you can afford. Visit our website to check out the latest models or come into our Sykesvile, Maryland showroom.

Posted by Donna at 10:10 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Escalating summer gas prices created a huge demand for gas-sipping scooters. In America, scooters are usually viewed as fun, summer transportation, good weather vehicles. This year though fall sales remain strong due largely to higher pump prices.

"People have been coming in and saying gas prices are getting so high (scooters) are going to be their only transportation until winter," said Brian Staack of Staack's Motorsports in Butte, Montana in an article in the Billings Gazette. Of course, in Montana they measure winter snows in feet, not inches. In most parts of America, roads are clear enough to safely keep on scooting all through the winter.  

Staack's scooter sales this summer alone were double his entire sales for 2005. "I've sold a couple hundred since opening," he said. "I've always been doing good in them, but I couldn't believe how many people came in and are just buyiing them." Staack said he's sold at least one a day all summer. Nationwide, motorcycle and scooter sales jumped 8% this summer according to the Motorcycle Industry Council.

The scooter industry "just seems to be blossoming," said Margie Hicklin-Krsul, owner of Red Line Sports in Butte, Montana. "Usually we sell 5 or 6 scooters a year," she said. "This year we were sold out by the end of July." She's seen a greater variety of customers this year too. "One lady has a paper route and that's how she's delivering her papers, on a scooter. Put a basket on and she's ready to go."

Easy to maneuver, cheap to park, scooters make the perfect commuter vehicle. Scootertronics carries a full line of gas-powered and electric scooters to suit every need and taste. Visit our website or come into our Sykesville, Maryland showroom to check out the latest models. The fun doesn't have to stop when summer ends. You can keep on scooting into fall and all through the winter. Visit Scootertronics today and start scooting!

Posted by Donna at 11:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Demand for scooters continues to increase. Sales have jumped nearly 400% since 1999 estimates Robert Pandya, spokesman for Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows. In an article posted on smartmoney.com Pandya explained the growing American fascination with the fun, sleek, gas sipping two-wheelers: 

"People realize you don't need a 3-ton vehicle to run down to the corner store. So, yes, it's about practicality. But really, it's about fun."

Greg Sabatello, a Chicago futures-industry executive, echoes his thought. He gets around on a 200cc Vespa Granturismo.

"I rarely drive a car; my son has taken over that. My entire family lives within blocks of each other and my kids' schools and sporting events are all close. You can't beat the convenience of the Vespa, particularly for errands," he said. "I can put the groceries under the seat and in the bubble on back."

Pandya expects the greatest industry growth to come from larger, more sophisticated scooters. Today 50 cc scooters make up 66% of the market, down from 74% in 2003; whereas scooters with 250cc engines comprised only 5% of the market in 2003, increasing to 6.75% in 2005.

Whether you want a fast, easy way to run errands or you want to seriously reduce your commuting costs, Scootertronics has the perfect scooter for you. Visit our website today to check out our full line of scooters or stop by our Sykesville, Maryland showroom.

Posted by Donna at 10:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (12) | TrackBacks (0)

Students across the country are heading for college campuses -- and they need transportation. Savvy parents and collegiates are dumping the battered dent-mobile in favor of sleek, fun scooters.

Scooters are inexpensive to buy, easy and cheap to maintain, a dream to maneuver in traffic, and a breeze to park. Scooters are so popular and numerous on some campuses that many now have scooter corrals in front of buildings and dorms. Scooters are easy to drive (if you've ever ridden a bicycle, you've got the moves). And most have room to add a storage compartment for books and supplies.

Send your college student back to campus in style. Visit Scootertronics today and check out our complete line of scooters and accessories.

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Scooters are exploding in popularity as gas prices soar out of sight. A favorite with penny-counting college students and city commuters, scooters are catching the attention of the 60- and 70-year-old crowd. Scooters are a natural for retirees who run a lot of short neighborhood errands, according to an article posted on Motorcycle.com. Easy and stable to ride and a breeze to park, scooters are a fun way to cruise around town. Run your errands on a scooter and you can cross "get gas" off your list before you even leave the garage!

"People who commute 3 to 5 to 10 miles every day, they come in to buy a scooter," says Eric Dobay, co-owner of RedStreak Motors in Hudson, Canada. "They drive for 2 weeks without putting gas in it."

With smaller scooter models starting around $1,000, first-time owners will make back the purchase price in gas savings in the first year! Smaller, 50 cc models can reach speeds of about 45 mph and are perfect for in-town errands and commuting. Scooters with larger engines can reach highway speeds of up to 65 or 70 mph. Scooters are the perfect vehicle for retirees. Cheap to buy, maintain, insure and run, scooters are easy to ride and park. In most states, smaller models do not require any special licensing.

Scootertronics carries a complete line of scooters to fit every need. We prep and ship scooters nationwide (and beyond) and provide the best customer service in the business. Visit our website today to view the latest scooters and start saving today.

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The high price of gas has business owners exploring some creative delivery options. In Middletown, New York, Domino's Pizza owner Patrick FitzGerald purchased a used scooter to use for deliveries.

"I'm saving a lot," he said in an article in The Times Herald-Record. "The scooter gets 50 to 60 mpg, while the cars get 25 mpg."

A hot box attached to the back of the scooter holds five medium-sized pizzas. FitzGerald is so impressed with the gas and maintenance savings he's considering purchasing additional delivery scooters to replace his fleet of cars. To read the article go to http://www.recordonline.com/archive/2006/07/10/business-jfnewdelivery-07-10.html.

Scootertronics offers a complete line of scooters that will save you money at the pump. If you're a business owner and are intrigued by the versatility and flexibility of scootes as potential delivery vehicles, contact Scootertronics today via the web or toll-free at 1-800-743-8702. We can discuss your specific needs and help you minimize your delivery costs and maximize your profits.

Posted by Donna at 05:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Go green with an E-bike or an all-electric scooter. They're the new summer rage in busy cities like Newport, Rhode Island where "parking is virtually non-existent, traffic is ever-present, gas prices are well up over $3 a gallon and paying ticket fines is as common as changing your underwear," says Beth Bottis in an article posted on EastBayRI.com. (To read the article, go to http://www.eastbayri.com/story/286476224968582.php.)

Electric pocket bikes and scooters get approximately 30 miles to the charge and travel at speeds around 20 mph, perfect for navigating jammed city streets. Completely electric, the bikes are easy to use, simple to maintain, and a breeze to park. Battery chargers plug right into the wall. It couldn't be easier.

Scootertronics carries an exciting line of very affordable X-treme electric scooters. Ranging from the X-010, the perfect first scooter, to the powerful XP-700 Rice Rocket, a sleek, souped up, 700-watt scooter with all the amenities, Scootertronics has the electric scooter that's right for you. Visit Scootertronics today to check out our exciting line of the finest electric scooters available.

Posted by Donna at 10:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBacks (0)

With gas prices climbing to record-breaking highs, baby boomers are starting to jump on the scooter bandwagon.

"I've seen a lot more middle-aged people coming in, looking at bikes," said Jeff Greene, manager of Honda-Yamaha Cycletown in Hermiston, Oregon. "I sold some scooters this year to people in their 60s. I think it's going to be a growing trend."

Averaging 80 to 100 mpg, scooters keep more green in your wallet. Anthony and Rebecca Loveday recently bought scooters so they could spend that green on their new toy, a 2006 Mustang GT convertible. "That swallows a lot of gas," Loveday admitted. "We economized to afford the GT." Loveday commutes to work on his 80 cc Honda scooter, and his wife uses her 50 cc model to run errands.

Easy to ride, scooters don't require special licensing in many states (check with your state's Department of Motor Vehicles). Additional savings on insurance and parking make scooters a smart choice for getting around town. Scootertronics carries a complete line of scooters to suit every taste and need. Check out the new models on our website at http://www.scootertronics.com/.

To read Dean Brickey's article for the East Oregonian, go to http://www.eastoregonian.info/main.asp?SectionID=13&SubSectionID=48&ArticleID=52575&TM=79463.96.

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Throttling up and down the power arpeggio, 13 scooters in close formation wowed spectators at the Ithaca (NY) Festival parade earlier this month. The display was courtesy of the Scooter Commuters, a loosely organized group of scooter devotees. Members take to the road every Sunday for coffee, scooter talk, and road trips. Word of mouth has doubled the group's membership in the past year as scooter popularity has increased.

Motives for scooter purchases range from economical to practical to just fun. "Scooters are more maneuverable than motorcycles, and since the rider steps through them rather than straddles them, they provide more protection from road crud," says Scooter Commuter Roxy Johnston in an article in the Ithaca Journal (click the link to read the article).

"It's not a whole lot different than riding a bicycle, except you have insurance, you have lights, and you have blinkers," adds Anthony DeGreif, club founder and owner of Ithaca's only shop dedicated solely to scooters. 

While gas savings bring many people to scooter riding, it's the fun factor that is building popularity. As Johnston says, "I didn't buy a scooter to be fun, but I found out it is."

Posted by Donna at 06:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (13) | TrackBacks (0)

In a move to increase the use of electric scooters, innovative German start-up SolarMove wants to redesign streetlight poles into fuel stations for e-scooters. With the slogan, "Build the right infrastructure and they will come," SolarMove is scouting several Berlin sites for the proposed "e-Tankstellen" (gas stations). They hope to convert 200 standard light poles into e-station poles, each sporting up to 4 power plugs and a chip-card billing system. Read the entire fascinating article on wired news at http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,50584,00.html.

Not content with the greening of Europe, SolarMove has global aspirations. California's zero-emissions laws make it the most enticing entry market in the U.S. If successful in California, the company is eying larger East Coast cities for potential future expansion. "Our goal is a truly 100 percent zero-emission infratructure. Power (that) comes mostly from hydro and solar energy," said Dag Schulze, SolarMove's founder. He feels the necessary infrastructure would be easy to build in American cities and could be financed by advertisements.

Posted by Donna at 11:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Two-wheelers are back in style.  

"Steep pump prices are driving some motorists to forms of transportation that sip or eschew gasoline, and many retailers of motorcycles, scooters and bicycles report that sales are revving up," reports Cynthia Cho for the Los Angeles Times (read her May 23 Business News article at http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-gasless23may23,1,112698.story?coll=la-headlines-business&track=crosspromo).

While most buyers aren't ready to sell their cars, they are choosing to garage them for commuting and short trips in favor of alternate modes of transportation. Scooters are the perfect choice. Faster and less sweat-intensive than bicycles, scooters are also lighter and more maneuverable than motorcycles.

Taking a second pass at transportation downshifting, Temecula, CA resident Jim Roberts is shopping for a scooter. Racking up 600 miles a week to commute to his job for Midwest Airlines, the 50-year-old senior account manager wanted to save money on gas. He gave up his Nissan Maxima for a Harley-Davidson Road King Classic but found the 750-pound motorcycle too heavy for everyday use. Now he's selling his bike in favor of a scooter.

"The high price of fuel is the fundamental reason behind his decision to pilot something more frugal at least a few days a week, Roberts said. The Vespa model he was eyeing has a 3.5-gallon gas tank and gets about 60 mpg, about 10 mpg more than his motorcycle gets," Cho reports.

With a wide variety of models to choose from and nationwide sales and service, Scootertronics is the perfect source for your new two-wheeler. Visit us at http://www.scootertronics.com.

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Sold on the maneuverability and ease of parking, not to mention the considerable fuel savings, more people are choosing scooters as their preferred mode of transportation. In San Diego where the mayor’s wife rides a candy-apple red Kymco, scooter sales have jumped 300% since 2000, according to Jen Dreis of the Motorcycle Industry Council. Padres fans seeking a quick way to maneuver through downtown traffic and avoid parking hassles on game days have created a niche market for Alex Cohn, owner of Motorsport Scooters in North Park.

“The average scooter buyer is about 46 years old and makes roughly $50,000 a year, according to MIC numbers,” states Kelly Davis in “Scoot Over, San Diego,” a fascinating article from the May 10, 2005 edition of San Diego CityBEAT. (Read the entire article at http://www.sdcitybeat.com/article.php?id=4357.)

“But for Max Stromberger, who works for Cohn at Motorsport Scooters,” notes Davis for CityBEAT, “there’s something infectious about owning a scooter. People will smile or wave or ask about fuel efficiency, a topic Stromberger is happy to discuss. 'There’s no amount of stress that a 20-block ride home can’t cure,' he said.”

At Scootertronics we can help you find your ultimate stress reliever. Check out our website at http://www.scootertronics.com to see the latest models and find out more about the convenience, affordability, economy, and just plain FUN of being a scooter owner.

Posted by Donna at 09:31 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Higher gasoline prices have boosted sales of motorcycles and scooters according to Chris Geiger, salesman/floor manager at State 8 Motorcycle & ATV in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, as reported in the April 21, 2006, online edition of the Akron (Ohio) Beacon Journal (http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/14394737.htm). 

"A lot of people who weren't riding are thinking about it now,'' Geiger said. "It used to be middle-aged guys and girls. Now, it's pretty much everybody.''
 

A fun, practical and eco-friendly way of getting around, savings at the gas pump are driving a booming scooter market across the country.  

 "The savings are phenomenal. The scooter pays for itself in the amount of gas you save," said Judy Spicer, manager Vespa of Edwardsville (Illinois), in a May 7, 2006 article from the Edwardsville Intelligencer (http://www.goedwardsville.com).
With small scooters getting 60 to 80 miles per gallon on regular unleaded gas, scooters are extremely eco-friendly. Vernon Carver, owner of Vespa of Edwardsville, notes:

“According to the Vespa company, if Americans were to utilize one of the latest eco-friendly motor scooters available in the market today, they would, on average, reduce their fuel consumption by 58 percent, emission of carbon monoxide by 90 percent and emission of carbon dioxide by 80 percent.”

 

Posted by Donna at 02:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

You'll just love this article about moped and scooter riding trends in America.  In fact the use of mopeds and the bigger scooters are all the rage in many communities and their use is rapidly growing.

People are looking for ways to easily commute around town, save money on gas, and find easy parking in crowded urban areas.  What better way to get around than a sleek, euro-style scooter?

Scooter riders get hooked on the experience of scooter riding as attested to by one scooter aficionado quoted in this article.

"...Four years later, Mr. Biek is still hooked. "Once you ride one, you have to have one," he says. "It's consumed my entire life, and I have no real explanation for it."

Scooter riding has become cool in many circles.  Embraced by many and particularly the younger set, the number of Americans riding scooters is at an all time high.

"Atlanta commuter Jeff Smith never really saw himself as a motorcycle guy. But four months ago he bought a used Vespa and soon purchased a second, larger one that's fast enough to take on the interstate. "I worried people were going to say, 'Why are you riding your girlfriend's bike?' " says Mr. Smith. "But instead people stop me every day and ask: 'What is it? How many miles to the gallon does it get? And how much does it cost?' "

Not only are scooters fun to ride and easy to use to get around town, but the ability to save really big at the gas pump is getting many people's attention.

Posted by Donna at 06:09 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)