Filed under: MPG, Transportation Alternatives
Vespa (or any other) scooters in New York: good idea or bad idea?
I am not really sure if this study is that new or not like it says it is on this page, but the information found in it might be interesting to our readership. The data here suggests that if 20 percent of automobile drivers were instead riding a Vespa in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, there could be quite a few environmental benefits. Take a moment to consider the gas savings and congestion improvements alone. In the interest of full disclosure, certain bits of data from this report might have been provided by Vespa. But, common rational thought is all that is required to realize that the scooters get better gas mileage and take up less space than the automobiles, taxis and trucks that they would be replacing.
Now, whether or not it is a good idea to ride a scooter or any other two-wheeled vehicle on the busy streets of New York is another story. I have driven there myself, and I can safely say that I would rather not drive there again any time in the near future. Mass transit seems to be a better idea for that particular city, I think. Be sure to read the comments left here at Hugg regarding this study.
[Source: Car Devotion via Hugg]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
George Krpan 11:24PM (5/18/2007)
I've owned several scooters, they're great. The problem with riding a scooter is the cars, they're hideous. I was relieved of my beautiful Aprilia Scarabeo 500 last November by a spaced out driver. I don't think that most people could handle riding a scooter.
I think I'll stick to bicycles for the time being. It's my feeling that bikes are safer than scooters. I've ridden both for decades.
Bicycles are actually more doable than scooters in cold weather.
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xphillyguy 7:40AM (5/19/2007)
Fuel scooters are better, but electric scooters are better, the only pollution that may be generated during the manufacturing of the batteries.
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Howard Lee Harkness 9:04PM (5/20/2007)
I've ridden a motorcycle and a bicycle in the rain, in the cold, and in high winds. It's not particularly fun under those conditions. Putting everybody on a scooter is not a realistic solution. Very few people are going to sign on for that level of discomfort.
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Brouhaha 7:26PM (5/21/2007)
I beg to differ! I ride my Vespa almost every day from Brooklyn to Manhattan and beyond and I wouldn't get around the city any other way. It's the perfect urban vehicle for many types of people. Since I bought mine, I dread every day I'm forced to take mass transit. Sure, you should learn how to properly drive any two-wheeled vehicle, and you should wear the proper gear to protect you from the elements and beyond, but the rewards are worth it. It opens up the city in a way that can't be described. You can scoot anywhere you like at a moment's notice. And all on 1.5 gallons of gas a week! Visit our site www.nyscooterclub.com to see how many enthusiastic Vespa and other scooter owners there are in this city!
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Andrew 1:31PM (5/22/2007)
Problem with scooters in the city is there is no where to park them. Only using 1.5 gallons of gas a week is great unless you have to deal with parking tickets and tow charges.
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Kendall Tawes 6:05PM (5/22/2007)
Vespa's have been great in Charlottesville and I don't mind being on one or driving a car near one. The real problem is America dosen't teach people how to drive well enough. If people had to do half of the lessons you get in Europe scooter drivers would be living in a much better world.
Please note I know bad drivers in Europe too but their bad driving stems from their own limitations and not ignorance like the bad drivers I know in the US.
Scooters are great.
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Mimimi 3:58AM (5/23/2007)
Not surprising.
After traveling a bit in Asia (particularly Vietnam), I would add that, unlike with mass transportation, the effect of everyone having a scooter is absolute gridlock and chaos. Anyone advocating a "scooter society" should try to visit Saigon- what's happened isn't pretty.
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Grover 3:54PM (12/15/2008)
I would like to ask if you could imagine what Saigon would be like if all those people were driving cars??
CToms 1:26PM (7/16/2007)
I beg to differ on the Asia comment...I've been to Cambodia recently and although Phnom Penh is full of people, scooters and motos make up a large part of the people's transportation choice. In the city, it's clear that there is congestion and chaos, particularly through the eyes of an American, but to them, it seems as it is completely normal. A scooter society would teach the bad drivers in American cities how to survive and drive defensively, not offensively like you see...well...pretty much everywhere. I don't think there's a single case of road rage in Cambodia, ever.
My visit there has prompted me to sell my huge honkin SUV for a Yamaha scooter. I will never go back to big gas-guzzling cars. As for everyone else, save the planet- buy a scooter.
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