yscoot 

As the weather turns chilly and autumn-like here in Denver, and I wrap myself up in a puffy and scarf just to get on the scoot, I have to wonder what life would be like if I could ride the scooter year-round.  What a fantastic life it would be.  However, if I were to attempt that in the great state of Colorado, I would no doubt emerge from winter a finger-less and nose-less person.  Alas.  I will stick with bundling until it's just no longer bearable.  The good news is, even in January Colorado gets 60 degree days!   

My very first encounter with an Italian on a scooter was in Italy in 1997.  I was 16 and completely naive to the different subcultures of motorists at that point of my life.  What an awakening.  This particular scooterson was minding his own business, riding along on his moped with the innocence and joy that comes with being free to ride in Italy on a gorgeous summer day.  You can imagine, he had not a care in the world.  Until an oversized coach tour bus full of picture-taking, obnoxious Americans came baracading through his intersection in a tight right turn (all turns in Italy are tight) which clobbered this motorist with the broad side of it's frame, and simply, with no effort at all, knocked him completely off his little black moped, which in turn promptly toppled over him. 

Let me clear a couple things up before I continue.  First: the bus was my tour's bus and I was sitting wide-eyed with my face smashed against the back window.  Second: the bus driver did not in fact see this scooterson.  And lastly: The Italian didn't get hurt as far as I could tell.

Okay.  So, the Italian wriggles out from underneath his moped and stands up in a daze.  The bus, still trying to make this right turn, is oblivious.  The Italian does only what his cutlure has taught him to do; fly off the handle.  He makes a round fist and starts beating the side of the bus with all his might and screaming what could only have been obscenities in Italian.  When the bus is straightening out, and speeding up, he looks as if he might explode.  Picks up his moped and runs with it in one arm while continuing to beat the bus with his other hand. 

This, my friends, can only teach us one thing.  When traveling in Europe, don't get on a coach tour bus and be one of those Americans.  OKAY, kidding... When riding your scooter, act as if no one on the road sees you, because they usually don't!

Well, no.  Not necessarily.  Just like all tissues aren't Kleenex, all lip balm isn't Chapstick, and soda doesn't mean 'Coke'....nor are all scooters Vespas.  Although they may have made the world of scootering famous (along with the Italianos) starting way back in 1946, Vespas are now in competition with dozens of other scooter makers.  To see a complete list, click here.

Click here to read a recent interview done by NPR, in which a couple experts in the scooter world told all when it comes to buying a new scooter.  There is a lot to think about with these little guys!   

Ok, this is the the brochure that I got from the dealership where I purchased my first scooter.  Mind you...it was in 2006, not 1986.  Although it seems to be insanely out-dated, it offers some steadfast advice about scooting:

1) When your bangs are feathered, don't put your helmet on all the way - it will flatten them.
2) Only wear stone-washed jeans when riding a scooter so that other drivers will see you, even when its dark.
3) Honda jackets are rad!

Alright, for real, here is what they advise:

1) Wear a helmet, face shield/goggles, long-sleeves/jacket, close-toed shoes, and gloves when scooting.
2) Remember this important acronym: SIPDE (because that's real easy to remember...). 
Scan your surroundings constantly
Identify potential hazards quickly
Predict if the hazard could cause a collision
Decide how to avoid the hazard or reduce its threat
Execute proper action

Wow...thanks Honda for this insightful review.