Cory Lewis checks out Vespas at Motoworks Chicago. Store manager Johnny Scheff says high gas prices are prompting consumers to find alternative means of transportation. Scooters can pay for themselves in fuel savings over one to three years, he says. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
Gas prices accelerating scooter sales
By Eoin O'Carroll | 05.21.08
These days, everyone seems to be talking about scooters. A long article on the Wall Street Journal includes a video of a reporter tooling around New York on a Vespa, in scenes that look right out of “Roman Holiday.” At the LA Times, motorcycle blogger Susan Carpenter takes six higher-speed scoots for a spin. Last Thursday, the Associated Press ran a story discussing how high gas prices have prompted a 24 percent jump in scooter sales in the first quarter of this year. Also last week, the Denver Post reported record ridership in the Mile High City. And this publication beat them all to the story, running a piece in March headlined “Easy riders: Scooters on road toward mainstream acceptance.”
It’s a topic that is dear to me: Last July, fed up with delays on Boston’s mass transit and unwilling to drive my car every day, I bought myself a Honda Metropolitan scooter and began using it to commute the four miles from my apartment to the Monitor’s offices in downtown Boston. It goes about 40 miles an hour and gets between 80 and 100 miles per gallon (depending on the outside temperature and whether I ride like a maniac).
And yes, I’ll be the first to admit that it’s dorky, but I’ve found that I’ve become much happier after I stopped trying to look cool.
My Met’s engine displacement is under 50 cubic centimeters, which means I don’t need a motorcycle license to ride it in Massachusetts, just a regular driver’s license. It also means that I can legally ride it in the bike lane, which is what I do when traffic is backed up, a great way to draw angry glares from drivers. Parking is never a problem; I can legally leave it on the sidewalk.
Boston’s weather isn’t exactly the most scooter-friendly, but I managed to make the commute on most days through the winter with a pair of ski pants, warm jacket, and fleece, and, on days when it got below 20 degrees F., a balaclava. When it rains, I wear a rain suit. The only time I don’t ride is when there is snow or ice on the ground.
Boston drivers are legendary for their aggression, so those of us on two wheels definitely need to keep our wits about us. On the plus side: I’ve given up coffee, as I’m wide awake by the time I get to work.
As for protection, I wear a motorcycle helmet and a good pair of gloves. Some scooterists I know go all-out, with motorcycle boots, kneepads and sliders, and armored jackets. But it seems that most of us take our chances with just a helmet.
Did I mention the gas mileage? Every week and a half or so, I put about $2.50 in the tank. Lately, it’s been more like $2.70.
From an environmental standpoint, not all scoots are equal. Most older models and some newer ones have a two-stroke engine, like an old-fashioned lawnmower or a chainsaw, which requires a mixture of oil and gas. You can identify these by the puff of blue smoke that belches from their tailpipes as they accelerate. These engines, while generally having a little more zip than their four-stroke counterparts, tend to have terrible emissions. In 2006, the Oregon alt-weekly Willamette Week looked at emissions from two two-stroke scooters and found their exhaust to have far more unburned hydrocarbons and CO2 than an SUV. Granted, SUVs put out a lot more exhaust per mile traveled than a scooter does.
The exhaust from a four-stroke engine, such as the one in my Met, has a much better emissions profile, although it’s still not as clean as that which comes from a car’s tailpipe, according to the article.
There are more eco-friendly scooters just around the corner. AutoblogGreen has details on a three-wheeled gas-electric hybrid scooter made by Piaggio, the makers of Vespas. And last October, the Monitor’s Clay Collins test-drove the all-electric Vectrix, which is now available at some dealers in the US.
Update: US News eco-blogger Maura Judkis compares emissions from two-stroke scooter engines to those from SUVs, using data from Cecil Adams’s invaluable Straight Dope column on the subject. Ms. Judkis makes an important distinction between climate change pollution and old-fashioned air pollution. The result? Two-strokes are better for the climate, but worse for city air.
Her blog post gives a somewhat misleading impression about scooters in general though, because it discusses only two-stroke engines, even though she includes a picture of a lineup of Honda Mets, which have four-stroke engines (and catalytic converters to boot). Four-stroke is becoming the norm for most new scooters in the US these days: Check out Vespa’s site, and you’ll see that they no longer offer any two-strokes.
<< Interview: Jane Goodall embraces a broader mission | MainComments
2. Eoin | 05.22.08
Good question. First off, we need to keep this trend in perspective:: even with a 24 percent jump in scooter sales, cars and trucks still vastly outnumber scooters on the road, and they will for a long time.
But let’s imagine that we get to the point that scooters make up a significant portion of American traffic. One thing that we could expect is fewer potholes, as smaller vehicles tend to put less wear and tear on the road. Also, scooterists may put exert more political pressure on municipalities to maintain smoother roads. With my 10-inch wheels, I am much more worried than car drivers about a pothole ruining my commute. I bet that people like me would be willing to organize with other scooterists to work to get our streets patched up.
In some states, smaller scooters can legally ride in bike lanes. I’m always taking advantage of this rule to skirt around traffic. But I think these laws were really drafted for 70s mopeds, whose speed topped out at around 30mph, not for scooters, some of which can go 50mph. I for one am concerned that, as more scooters take to the streets, car drivers will start objecting to this, and scooters will be required to stay in line with the car-driving masses.
3. uthor | 05.23.08
One thing I don’t like about these articles, in addition to advertisements from, say, the local motorcycle dealer, is the emphasis on cost savings by switching to a scooter or motorcycle.
I ride a bike and if I lived in a city, I would probably buy a scooter, but most people just do not ride enough to offset the cost of buying and upkeeping a bike. This is doubly true if the car is kept as a second vehicle. With a four mile commute, and assuming your car only gets 20 mpg, you are only saving about $6 a week, or over 6 years to break even on the cost of the scooter alone (not including gear, maintenance, registration fees, and all that goes along with it).
Now, if you live in sunny California where you can ride year round and either drive a beater for grocery getting or forego owning a car altogether, then the cost savings are apparent.
I’m not saying I’m against the popularity of scooters - the more two wheeled vehicles that are out there, the better it is for all of us. However, I just always see cost savings mentioned, but they rarely make sense.
4. Eoin | 05.23.08
It may not be just about absolute cost savings. Perhaps some people would rather see their money go to scooter manufacturers than to oil companies!
For me, though, riding a scooter is saving me some money. If I drove to work, I would have had to pay $75 a month to park (a bargain in Boston’s Back Bay!). My scooter and all the gear and stuff cost about $2,300, which means that, ignoring the price of gas, the scoot pays for itself after about two and a half years.
The other alternative is taking mass transit. A monthly T pass in Boston costs $59 per month, which means that, assuming I need no major repairs and I don’t splurge on expensive gear, I could recoup the cost in a little over three years.
If time equals money, the savings are even greater. Driving to work takes me about 40 minutes, and taking the T takes anywhere from 45 minutes to over an hour. On a scooter, it’s about 25 minutes.
Of course I could always ride a bike like Uthor, which is by far the greenest choice, the healthiest choice, and, assuming I don’t get a top-of-the-line bike, the cheapest.
5. Little t | 05.24.08
The line of scooters in America is a sad thing compared with that of China. I think that it would behoove scooter companies to take a look at the brands out there and make some smarter choices as far as models are concerned. I live and work in Guangzhou, China, and see hybrid bikes that are electric/peddle power, which mean even the electricity you use is not made industrially. There are dozens of brands of scooters and bicycles, and many that look fairly trendy, that range from the bad exhaust-type you mentioned to the absolutely clean and clear 100% electric/peddle power.
It is also a shame the price you have to pay for a scooter in the states, because they are about the same cost here, but in RMB which makes it actually about 7 times cheaper here. With the huge overhead cost of actually purchasing a scooter, it probably dissuades a lot of people from taking that initial step. Who’s got 2,000 bucks sitting around?
I have to say, although China is NOT environmentally green in any way that I can see, they are good at being cheap, and the scooters and specialty bikes are a good way to go as far as economy. They do also get you around the congested streets of Guangzhou faster than any other method. (But there is the danger of cars ignoring you and smashing you to bits.)
6. ScooterGal | 05.26.08
<>
That’s not just in China. Drivers definitely are the same in that regard in the good ol’ US of A. And it’s not just them hitting us, but also us hitting them because they’ve pulled in front of a scooter or motorcycle too closely.
I’ve got a Vino 125 (cc), which in my state means I need the motorcycle endorsement on my license and insurance, etc., just like a motorcycle.
Driving to work on it 6 months out of the year with gas at $3/gallon (that’s how much gas was when I bought the scoot in February), I’ve calculated that it will pay for itself in 2 or 2-1/2 years. Vespas are cuter, but I couldn’t make the math work because of the higher sticker price.
Bicycles definitely are cheaper and more energy efficient, but I have to wear a suit to work and don’t want to shower and get ready there. This way, I’m dressed formally up top, under my armored motorcycle jacket, and can change to my skirt at work.
But no matter what you ride, I recommend taking the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Basic Rider Course. I was able to take it at a local community college over a three-day weekend. Not only did it teach me better handling of my scooter but also taught me some defensive driving techniques because those folks yakking on their cell phones, deciding what to play on their iPods and drinking their Starbucks will try to kill you — if only inadvertently.
Two ironies: I nearly got in an accident the day before my class because of an inattentive driver, and a friend of mine who is an experienced motorcyclist got in a wreck the day of my class because a lady blew threw a stop sign. He and his wife were on their way to a restaurant for dinner. Instead, he’s been in intermediate care at the hospital for going on three weeks.
A bonus of the course: If you pass, you’ve passed the motorcycle road test in many states and you’ll get a discount on your insurance.
7. FCS | 05.27.08
What kind of insurance do you/should you have to ride a scooter in the city? How much does it cost?
8. tc | 05.27.08
I called Gieco about scooter insurance for a ~40 yr old with no accidents and car policy with them already the yearly premium is $85. That includes theft. I have to agree with Uthor, cost savings will never pay off in Minnesota, with a 7 month riding season averaging 3 days a week, realistically offsetting 12 miles a day of driving another car that gets 26 mpg with insurance, gas, maintenance, and registration fees per year I’d only save about $200 a year (since all the car expenses sans gas stay the same). I considered one for the fun factor. Also put on a well made full face Snell rated helmet for 10 minutes or more at the dealer before you buy, as an ex motorcycle rider you’ll realize how hot and uncomfortable they are, and that you must wear one or you’re an idiot. Between all the inattentive blue hairs driving Caddy land barges who hate bikers to begin with and 16 year olds texting and talking on their cell phones it’s a jungle out there, be careful. Also thank god Little T we don’t have the scooters allowed in China and Italy, they are mostly 2 stroke oil burning unreliable death traps. Embrace the coming eco revolution if you’re buying a scooter (isn’t that partly the reason you’re buying to begin with I hope?) and buy a 4 stroke 50cc that gets a 100+ mpg with a catalytic converter like the Yamaha C3.
9. Cait | 06.02.08
There is the one problem with insurance- as far as I can tell, you cannot insure a 50cc moped-registered scooter in Mass.
10. Beth | 06.13.08
As far as cost value goes… My DH bought a previous year scooter for $900 in spring of ‘07, and rides it when the temps are above 40 and it’s not raining. We also have a smaller commuter car and a mini-van. In addition to him saving on his way to work, I am able to drive the car vs. the mini van around town chasing kids, saving us even more. Insurance is $30/month only when he’s actually using it, and at least so far upkeep has only been an occasional tank of oil, and filter. While we saved only $623 in gas in all of ‘07 vs ‘06 that doesn’t take into account the rise in fuel costs or changes in driving patterns. I figure if it hasn’t paid for itself yet….it definatly will this year. Plus he gets the fun of riding a “fire ant” to work everyday, getting the last laugh on the motorcycle guys who are ONLY getting 60 mpg now.
11. Jessica | 06.17.08
After seriously considering it for a year, I finally bought a Vespa LX150 a couple weeks ago. I live in Athens, GA which is a pretty scooter friendly town with mild winters. When I ride, I’m extremely careful (meaning aware and defensive– you’ve got to assume other people are going to enter your right of way.) So far, it seems that almost everyone around here is very aware and considerate of scooterists. I think it’s a combination of two sentiments: “Hey, there’s somebody who’s making a lifestyle decision that’s good for the environment– and with the price of gas I don’t blame them,” and, “that poor doofus riding that thing in traffic– let’s be really careful and hope she doesn’t get herself killed.” In addition to errands in town, I have a 40 mile backroads round trip commute– and the Vespa is replacing the pickup truck I had been driving (my husband and I still have a car.) I had been spending about $300 a month just on gas. My scooter payment is $115 and gas is about $50. Insurance is cheap. So for me, it’s a great solution. Plus I get to feel like I’m sticking it to the man. :)
12. Eoin | 06.17.08
Jessica, it sounds like you’re having a blast riding your new scoot! Do you need a motorcycle license to ride a 150cc in Georgia?
As for traffic I find that most drivers are generally considerate; the only ones who tend to cut me off are police cruisers and taxicabs. I honk at the latter.
13. Etinmot | 06.19.08
I live in FL and I’m getting ready to buy a scooter (interested in Lance Milan 150) to use for my daily commute. If I can get 55mpg out of it, the gas savings will pay for the scooter in one year (including scooter, helmet, motorcycle class & license endorsement, tax, tags, title fees, and insurance). This is switching my commuter vehicle from an SUV that got 14mpg. Drastic savings. I checked on insurance - in FL from Progressive, for minimal ($10,000) coverage, it’s $60 per year, for both me and my wife.
Sounds like a no-brainer for me - after the first year (or maybe sooner), I will be saving loads of gas money (and using much less fossil fuels and reducing my carbon footprint).
14. Jon | 07.01.08
Someone do the math for me please. I currently drive 40 mile per day to work. I get about 13 mpg. If I bought a scooter that got 50 mpg (low end) and I paid 2300 for the scooter, how long would it take to pay for the scooter. What king of monthly savings would I make. Gas right now is $4.07 a gallon. Thank You.
15. Eoin | 07.01.08
Roughly speaking, your 40-mile commute in your 13mpg car burns about three gallons of gas per per day, worth $12.21.
If you were on a 50mpg scooter, your 40-mile commute would burn 4/5 of a gallon, or about $3.25.
That means that a scooter would save you $8.96 per day.
So your scooter would pay for itself in (2,300/8.96) 257 days.
This excludes any maintenance costs and parking fees, both of which are generally cheaper for a scooter. It also assumes that gas prices won’t go up, which is a heck of an assumption.
16. TC | 07.07.08
Great comments and feedback from all over keep it up.
Seems everyday giant media is hyping this fad the last few weeks
for better or worse.
Here is an excel spreadsheet for figuring gas savings.
http://www.justgottascoot.com/ScooterFuelSavings.xls
17. Greg | 07.10.08
I’ve seen many articles like this for the past several months and began researching publicly traded companies that make scooters, with the hope of purchasing a stock that will track gas prices. Thus far, I’ve only found one - Vespa (PIAGF). Although Vespa sales seems to be up, their stock is spiraling downward. Anyone have any idea what’s up with that?
18. nikki | 08.15.08
This is a very good article because I have decided that buying a scooter might be the only way to combat increasing gas prices. Not to mention that it is much cheaper to use a scooter versus a car. I think you are going to see more people using scooters. Especially, if gas get to $5 to $10. The will be so awful. Well like i stated earlier this is a great article.
19. Eoin | 08.15.08
Hey thanks for the kind words, Nikki. You might want to join the forum at http://www.urbanscootin.com for some good information on scooters. That’s what I did a year ago when I got mine, and it’s been a great resource for me.
20. Marie | 08.23.08
I also live in Athens, Ga and purchased my scooter last week. I work at the university and love the fact that there is ample scooter parking close to my job so I don’t have to worry about parking. I I’ve already had one offer to buy my scooter and numerous questions about it.
Eoin, thanks for the link to the forum. There’s a lot of good information there.
21. Jeremy | 11.30.08
There are a couple of inaccuracies that need to be clarified:
1) Technically speaking, if your scooter can go over 30mph you may not register it in Massachusetts as a “motorized bicycle” (aka moped) and thus you may not ride it in the bike lane. The reality is that most scooters can go over 30mph, and most scooters in the Boston area are registered as mopeds because the alternative (registering it as a motorcycle) is not practical.
2) Parking a moped on the sidewalk is illegal in Boston, Cambridge, and several other Boston-area cities. Cambridge’s current policy is to not enforce the law. Boston’s enforcement policy depends on who you ask, but some mopeds have been ticketed. As a practical matter the tickets are probably not enforceable because, according to the Boston Globe, moped registrations are not yet tracked in the RMV’s computer, so Boston would have no way to bill you if you failed to pay the ticket.
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
3. Roundup: Green college rankings, an ethanol backlash, and a wikified electric car | csmonitor.com | 10.02.08
Leave a Comment
We do not publish all comments, and we do not publish comments immediately. The comments feature is a forum to discuss the ideas in our stories. Constructive debate - even pointed disagreement - is welcome, but personal attacks on other commenters are not, and will not be published.
Tip: Do not write a novel. Keep it short. We will not publish lengthy comments. Come up with your own statements. This is not a place to cut and paste an email you received. If we recognize it as such, we won't post it.
Please do not post any comments that are commercial in nature or that violate copyrights.
Finally, we will not publish any comments that we regard as obscene, defamatory, or intended to incite violence.
1. K. | 05.22.08
I wonder what this trend means for roads and traffic patterns? If your scooter goes up to 40 mph, there must be roads you can’t take in your commute. Do you think roads will need to be — or should be — adjusted for the trend?