News

August 3, 2008

Drivers ‘scooting’ ahead of gas prices

By Tom Venesky tvenesky@timesleader.com
Sports Reporter
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Rising gas prices aren’t a pressing concern for Wilkes-Barre resident Joe Blizman. For years, he enjoyed the 30 miles per gallon his Dodge Neon achieved.

He also liked the convenience of guiding the small car into tight city parking spots.

Still, Blizman felt there might be something better; something that got better gas mileage and was even easier to park.

Blizman found the solution last year when he purchased a 50cc Piaggio scooter with a 1.9-gallon gas tank and 90 mpg fuel economy.

“I figured it would be great for getting me around town,” he said.

More people are agreeing with Blizman, as high gas prices are forcing some to park their four-wheeled behemoths in favor of something smaller and more efficient.

Michael Schuler, office manager for Team Effort Cycle in Hanover Township, said scooter sales in his store have increased by almost 300 percent since May.

Nationally, scooter sales during the first half of this year increased 66 percent over the first two quarters of 2007, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council. Conversely, sales of new motorcycles over the same period rose by only half a percent.

Mike Mount, the council’s director of communications, said scooter sales are outpacing motorcycle purchases for a number of reasons in addition to fuel costs.

Many people who used their motorcycles for weekend leisure rides are now using them daily, he said, and new riders are purchasing more used motorcycles.

Scooters, according to Mount, are economical to buy, provide good fuel economy and are less intimidating to new riders.

In Pennsylvania, scooter sales have risen 36 percent over the last five years, Mount said, and a whopping 510 percent over the last 10 years. The state ranked 13th in the nation for scooter sales in 2007.

Mark Scappatura, sales manager for Riders World in Wilkes-Barre, said he started seeing scooter sales in his store jump at the beginning of summer.

“We’re selling mostly to local people who want to commute to work,” he said.

Fuel driving sales

High gas prices are the reason customers are spending between $2,000 and $9,000 for a scooter, according to Schuler.

It’s also the reason for some unusual trade-ins.

“We’ve been accepting full-size trucks as trade-ins on a scooter,” Schuler said.

Although the scooter surge is new for America, Schuler said the vehicles have long been popular in Europe. That may be because gas has typically cost more there than in the U.S.

While he’s seen his share of locals, Schuler said many of his customers are from southeastern Pennsylvania and neighboring states.

“Scooters are getting scarce in other areas. When people find out we have them, they make the trip,” he said.

Schuler’s company sells Vespa and Piaggio scooters. Both are made in Italy and offer engine sizes ranging from 50cc to 500cc.

Scappatura said larger scooter manufacturers are expanding their lines to give potential customers more choices.

“The manufacturers are going to react to the gas situation,” he said. “They know that if gas prices hold or go higher, people will continue to buy scooters.”

A 50cc scooter can get up to 100 mpg, but has a top speed of only around 40 miles per hour and is designed for in-town driving.

Blizman traded his 50cc model for a more powerful 250cc scooter to expand his travel horizons. His new scooter gets 70 mpg and has a top speed of 77 mph, making it suitable for highways and interstates.

Scooter-riding couple

Wilkes-Barre resident Greg Parrs bought new scooters for himself and his wife on the Internet.

Parrs purchased a 250cc model for $2,300 and a 150cc model for $1,500 from Alite Scooters, which advertises itself as an “Online Scooter Superstore.”

Parr said the scooter purchases were motivated by high gas prices. Prior to buying the scooters, he drove a pickup truck to work every day.

“The fuel prices really drove it,” he said. “By the end of the year, I’ll have both scooters paid off by the fuel savings alone.”

But there can be drawbacks to riding a scooter.

Schuler said cargo capacity is minimal, and winter weather can force scooter owners to park their machines for the season.

Blizman pointed out another drawback, stating that potholes can gobble up the scooter’s small tires and send the driver flying.

Schuler said Piaggio makes a three-wheeled scooter that is easier to handle and less prone to pothole pitfalls.

With two wheels in the front and one in the back, he said, the scooter is much more stable than a conventional scooter.

Blizman also said it can be unnerving riding a scooter alongside a roaring 18-wheeler on the interstate.

But Scappatura said scooters are often ridden on highways, noting that one of his customers commutes between Nanticoke and Scranton on a scooter.

Blizman recommends that new scooter owners take a motorcycle-safety course and wear a helmet.

“There’s definitely a learning curve with it,” he said, “but anyone with common sense can drive one.”

And Schuler thinks the number of people doing so will continue to grow if gas prices remain high.

Blizman agrees, adding that his scooter generates considerable interest when he’s on the road.

“When I’m fueling up or stopped at a red light, I always get asked about the scooter,” he said. “Not surprisingly, most people want to know how good the fuel mileage is.”

Keeping it legal

• A motorcycle license is required to operate any scooter with an engine larger than 50cc. According to PennDOT, helmets are not required when riding a scooter of any size.

• In order for a scooter to be legally operated, it must be titled, registered, insured and inspected, according to PennDOT. Equipment needed to pass inspection includes fenders, turn signals and lights.

• PennDOT recommends that those who purchase a scooter make sure there is a label affixed to the machine stating it meets the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard, indicating it is manufactured for highway use.

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