Saturday Morning Again

I got up this morning and rode the scooter downtown for coffee (today's flavor special: Caramel and Creme) and a donut (custard-filled with chocolate frosting) at Central Market. I took my new delectibles outside to a bench by my scooter. During a conversation with the other occupant of the bench, it turned out that she was the was the owner of the Art & Glassworks. That is one of my usual stops when I'm browsing the 300 block of North Queen. She said that her family had just been looking at scooters. One of them was considering a Honda Metropolitan. She said that the owner of a local burrito place (I can only assume she means Senorita Burrita) is also the owner of the green Met I've seen around town. So, you riders out there, here are two pro-scooter businesses for you to support!

As I was finishing up my coffee, a couple pulled up and parked next to me. The husband came right over to me and started asking about the scooter; what brand is it, what type of brakes it had, etc.. When I told him the gas mileage, he burst out laughing. It wasn't long before his wife told him it was time to go inside and get on with their shopping. But he thanked me for talking with him.

Scooters are conversation starters!

Armor Up

One of the things that I didn't consider when I decided to buy a scooter was how much I would spend on accessories. I bought a half-helmet that day because I thought it was just a scooter, it doesn't go that fast, you wouldn't get that hurt in an accident. Subsequent reading on the internet convinced me otherwise. I'll spare you the links, as my goal is to encourage you to ride a scooter, not scare you off. Suffice to say that the smart thing to do is to ride as if an accident inevitable. And skin is no match for pavement.

I ride a scooter, and a C3 at that, so obviously I'm not into this for some macho trip. When I pass a Harley rider, as I did today, with no helmet and wearing only a wife-beater, I can't imagine how it would feel to slide on the pavement dressed like that. I will ride for fun often, but I'm also into this for the commute to work. And I expect to arrive intact. It seems that the biggest threat that scooter riders face is other motorists pulling out in front of you. All your mad riding skillz aren't going to save you then. With the right equipment, however, you should escape with minimal damage.

I decided to upgrade to a full-face helmet. I realized that my half-helmet might save my life, but it won't do a thing to save my face. So I ordered a HJC CL-Max. It is actually a modular helmet, which means that the chin bar and shield lift up so that you can put it on and off like a 3/4 helmet. Nice for us glasses-wearing riders.

I bought some Joe Rocket gloves with padded knuckles, in case a rock or hornet flies into my hand. Your hands control the bike. I wouldn't want to lose the use of one for a second at full speed. Plus there are metallic kevlar pads in the palms for extra protection should I try to brace myself with my hands in a skid.

Lastly, an armored mesh jacket. Wind passes right through most of the jacket. But it contains built-in elbow, back, and shoulder pads. The one I bought is pictured here (a Tour Master Draft Air jacket), and has reflective piping above the white stripe. It also has a bunch of pockets, which is nice. You ladies carry purses, but guys carry everything in pockets. During the summer, I miss the pockets of my winter coat. This has a special mobile media pocket, which is perfect for my smartphone. And I look forward to shopping for a bad-ass leather one when Autumn comes.

Expensive, yes, but I consider some of this as a lifetime investment. A lifetime that will be longer because of them. Will I wear all this gear every time I ride? Probably not. Especially shopping downtown where I'm on and off, in and out of stores. But I will wear it when I commute. With my hands, elbows, shoulders, and head covered, I feel like I could take a 20-foot slide and still make my 10am meeting.

Getting Serviced

I took my scooter in for it's first service and a safety recall (a potentially leaky ring of some kind) yesterday at B&B Yamaha. While I was waiting, I looked at the scooters that they had lined up there three rows deep. They even had a gorgeous Aprilia in the back. It seems most of the salesmen there have scooters that they sometimes use for commuting.


While speaking to John, an employee there, he said that the only roads in Lancaster he wouldn't take a 50cc scooter on were 30, 283, or 222. He's ridden Rt. 501 between Lititz and Lancaster. That was encouraging. That means, with time, there is just about nowhere we couldn't go*. Still, I could see myself getting a bigger scooter, one that will do closer to 80mph, in the future. But I'd keep the little 50cc model. It's great around town. And you can't beat the gas mileage.


I was a little early for my appointment, so I did some exploring and came across Schenck's Mill Covered Bridge. Out in the country, along Shenck Road, just off of Spooky Nook Road. A nice ride. I saw a number of bicyclists out there also, including Craig, one of the owners of B&B.

*editted to add: I still think it's smart to stay off of roads on which your bike can't reach the speed limit. That's just polite.

Real Parking News

Today I received an Email from Tom Matthews of the Lancaster Parking Authority. He said that they are, "developing spaces for scooter parking on the perimeter of the Prince Street Garage. The areas are directly off of Prince and Orange streets. These spaces will be for Scooters only. "

The areas are not in the garage, but will be covered. And, unlike the spaces inside the garage, they will be free! That's right, free parking for scooters only, in the heart of downtown Lancaster!

There is a slight inconvenience: you must acquire a sticker to use the parking. To get a sticker, you must sign a waiver absolving them of responsiblilty. I guess it must be what's in the fine print on the garage ticket (which I never read). But, hey, I'll sign a waiver and put a sticker on my scooter for more parking options.

The decals and contracts should be ready "in the next few weeks". They will let me know where and when they are available. And when I know, you'll know.

Parking News (which is news and may or may not be information)

I sent an Email asking about scooter parking to both the office of the Mayor of Lancaster and to the Lancaster Parking Authority. I asked specificly if scooters were allowed to park on the sidewalk, and for any information about dedicated space in City lots and garages. So far I have only heard back from Pat Brogan, the Mayor's Chief of Staff.
Ms. Brogan didn't provide any specific information. She only indicated that they are reviewing ordinances and that they "expect to move forward on these initiatives while the warm weather is with us." She also said, "It's a great time to have a scooter in the City!" So, no official news yet. But some encouragement is always... well, encouraging.
Part of the problem may be the overlapping definitions of motorcycle, motor-driven cycles(including scooters, which are also motorcycles), and "pedacycles"(which everyone else knows as mopeds, and are specificly exempted from the other 2 categories, even if they meet the definition). There are also laws about "motorized scooters" which are actually like those Razor scooters with engines on them. Just about all the laws about them prohibit them from being used anywhere by anyone. But they're called scooters.
If this page is to be believed (and my research leads me to believe it, despite it's AOL domain and indigo background), then the real answer is that only "pedacycles" may park on the sidewalk. A "pedacyle" must have operable pedals, like a bicycle. So, no scooters on the sidewalk.
Another interesting law I found on that site: you may park as many motorcycles as you want in a single designated parking space. BUT! If any ONE of those motorcycles sticks out and exceeds the boundaries that a single car would take up, ALL of the motorcycles in that space are considered to be in violation and are each individually liable as if they each were the only occupant of that space. Keep in mind that a scooter is a motor-driven cycle, which is also a motorcycle, and may or may not be a pedacycle or a scooter.
When Ms. Brogan says they are "reviewing ordinances", they have their work cut out for them.

Scooter Information Online

The internet is a wonderful thing. When I shopped for my scooter, I compared models online. Want to know what else is happening in the scooter world? Get online and find other scooter riders in your area, or find other riders of your scooter model everywhere!
Probably the best forum I've found is urban scootin. They are huge! They began as primarily a Honda Metropolitan site, but are very accepting of riders of other brands and models.
Battlescooter is primarily for Honda Ruckuses. They are into modding up their scooters for speed and style.
c3rider, for Yamaha C3's, is just getting started. There aren't too many options in their profiles, but their gallery is different. I have a C3, and hope this fledgling forum does well.
Permanent links have been added to the right. If you find others worth noting, let me know.

2 Covered Bridges Loop

It time for our first ride: what I'm calling the 2 Covered Bridges Loop. This ride is only about 17.5 miles, but offers a nice sampling of Lancaster scenery and history. At the end of the text here is a link to a map of the route for you to print. Numbers on the map relate to the numbers in the text here. What is Lancaster County known for? Amish farms and covered bridges. So let's go!

1. Our ride starts at the center of the City of Lancaster, the site of our future Convention Center and luxury hotel. The facade is the former Watt & Shand Building, Lancaster's main department store for many decades. We begin here, at a obvious landmark, for convenience sake.



Ride North on Queen St.



Turn Right onto Lemon St.



Continue along Lancaster Cemetery.


Turn left onto New Holland Av..



Turn left onto N. Plum at Quips Pub.



2. Turn right onto Park Av. at The Fulton. The Fulton Hotel was gathering place in Northeast Lancaster. Politicians used to give speeches from the second story porch to crowds below. Today it is a neighborhood bar and restaurant with American fare and eclectic patrons.
Follow Park Av. to the left, under the underpass.



Turn right onto Martha Av. along …



3. The Stehli Silk Mill. It may not look like much now, but one hundred years ago this was the largest Silk Mill in the world. Silk was just one of the industries that Lancaster led east of the Mississippi.


Turn left onto Fountain Av..


Continue straight on Pleasure Rd..


Continue straight on Esbenshade Rd..


Turn right onto Rutledge Av..


Rutledge Av. becomes Homeland Dr. and takes you under Rt. 30.


Turn left onto Country Club Dr..


Country Club Dr. becomes Sunset Dr..


Turn left onto Eden Rd..


Turn right onto Euclid Rd..


Turn left onto Butter Rd.. Watch for pedestrians, both humans and ducks.


When you get to Hunsecker Rd, the loop begins. You can go either way, but I’ve always enjoyed it clockwise, so that’s how I will be guiding you.


Continue on Butter Rd. You should really be getting the olfactory experience of Lancaster County by now.


Continue past the exit and entrances for Rt. 222.


Turn right onto Bridge Rd..

4. I think this spot is one of the hidden gems of Lancaster County. As you head over the open bridge, look to your right, through the trees to see an old stone arch bridge.

Just ahead is Pinetown Bushong's Mill Covered Bridge.
Go through the bridge.

On the other side, you are likely to be greeted by cows.

Continue along the long straight-away of Bridge Rd.. This is a popular bicycle route.

Turn right onto Mondale Rd.. Here you will be passing real Lancaster County farms.



Turn right onto Hunsecker Rd.. Here you will encounter…

5. Hunsecker's Mill Covered Bridge. How adorable is this? The well kept houses, the homemade swing, a covered bridge…

Cross over the bridge, but watch out for “road apples“. On the other side, if you are traveling on a weekend, you are likely to see some commotion at Bridge Acres Stable; a school for riding mounts of one horsepower.

Continue on Hunsecker Rd..

Turn left onto Butter Rd.. We’re on our way back now.

Turn right onto Euclid Rd..

Turn left onto Eden Rd..

Turn right onto Sunset Dr..

Continue on Country Club Dr.

Turn right onto Homeland, back under Rt. 30.

Continue on Rutledge Av..

Turn left on Esbenshade Rd.. Here’s where we vary from the trip out…

Turn right on Juliette Ave..

Turn right on Marshall Ave.. Follow Marshall along:
6. The Lancaster Stockyards. At one time, Lancaster was also the cattle trade capital East of Chicago. The Stockyards are abandoned and run down now, and slated to be turned into a mixed use development. But there was a time that, if you ate a steak on the east coast, it probably walked through here. As attitudes about animal treatment changed, Lancaster fell behind, the Stockyards became controversial and eventually closed. But they are a large part of our history. Nearby are the Stockyard Inn and Jimmee’s Deluxe Grill, a retro burger place with outdoor dining and hand-made burgers and shakes, if you are ready for a bite before our last leg.

Turn left on Lititz Pike.

Over the bridge, and along McGovern Av.. Stay left. The Lancaster Amtrak Station is on your right.

Turn left onto N. Duke St.. As you travel down Duke St., keep an eye on traffic, but don’t forget to look around at the buildings you are passing. They are a part of the reason they call this Historic Downtown Lancaster.

Turn right on Orange St..

Turn left on Prince St..

Turn left on King St.. Straight one block and we are back where we started.

If you take this ride, leave a comment. Let us know how it went.

Downtown Saturday Morning

I rode the scooter downtown this morning and did a little shopping. I parked around the outside of Central Market. I saw one other scooter rider there, a young lady on what appeared to be a green Honda Metro. Those Metros are popular. I saw a blue one on the commute home yesterday.

A lot of people were asking about the scooter. A couple people mentioned that they were considering buying one. The staff at the liquor store seemed very interested. They were particularly eager to save on parking. They said that scooters are allowed to park on the sidewalk. I'll try to confirm that.

I also stopped in at Zap & Co.. I wasn't looking for anything in particular, I just enjoy the place. They are a retro store, selling vintage clothes and items, primarily from the 30's through the 60's. But I found more than I had hoped for... you see, I have been keeping an eye out for some stickers to customize the scooter. And they had a box of rock bumper stickers, new old stock, from the '80's. Looks like about '84, because they had Micheal Jackson, Def Leppard, Quiet Riot, "Frontiers"-era Journey, "Synchronicity"-era Police, and more. All in that glitter/sparkle style. So now my scooter is rockin' a genuine vintage "Zenyatta Mondatta"-style Police sticker. Don't stand so close to it!

The Cost of Gas

I bought a scooter primarily to commute to work. Reducing the amount of gas we use will help the environment and extend existing supply. But most of all, it will save $money$!
The cost of gas in Lancaster, PA is quite low in comparison to the rest of the country. You can see that on this map from GasBuddy.com. But who doesn't want to save a little more?
I have added a link, to the right of this page, to help us monitor gas prices in Lancaster. Remember, if you have a 1 gallon tank, the prices listed there represent a fill-up!

Rent a Scooter, Tour Lancaster

There is a company I found on the internet that will rent scooters for touring Lancaster and Hershey. They are Jaboba. They will bring the scooters to you, in a trailer, complete with helmets. They rent 50cc Honda Metropolitans, like the one pictured here. Sounds like fun! Or a fun way to try out a scooter if you are considering one as commuter transport.

Some FAQ

Some of the questions I get asked, as a scooter rider:

Do you need a motorcycle license? No, not if the engine is under 50cc and has an automatic transmission. A regular automobile drivers license is all that is needed.

Do you have to wear a helmet? No, in PA, you don't have to. Eye protection is all that is required.

Do you wear one anyway? Yep. Sure do. I like my skin and bones, and the ones around my brain are some of my favorites.

What kind of mileage do you get? Mine gets about 110mpg, but that will vary with body size and weight. After all, the rider weighs almost as much as the scooter. My C3 also has a fuel-injected four-stroke. A bigger two-stroke may only get 60mpg. It's still better than a car.

How fast does it go? A 50cc scooter, unmodified, tops out at about 40mph. So you can't take it on the highway. You can buy models that will do 80mph, but you'll need a motorcycle license.

How do you get a motorcycle license? In PA, pay $10. You'll get a learner's permit, which you can renew, annually, indefinitely I believe. To get the full license, which allows you to carry a passenger, you'll have to pass a driving test. Or you can take a motorcycle safety course.

How much gas does it hold? Mine has just over a 1 gallon tank. That means that filling it up costs less than lunch. Filling up my car costs more than lunch for week.

Do you ride it in the travel lane, or on the shoulder? Right in the travel lane, just like a motorcycle.

The Lure of the Scooter

Lancaster Newspapers recently did a story about a local club, the SPB Scooter Club. The article is posted on their website, Lancaster Online.com.

Eye on the Skies

If you are going to scoot Lancaster, you need to know what the weather is going to be like. I hear that a thunderstorm at 40mph is painful, and I hope it's a long time before I experience it. So, to help us all out, I have posted the weather links I use most in the upper right corner of this blog. Check them all until you find a forecast you like!

About Your Host

I live in the City of Lancaster and recently purchased a Yamaha C3 (that's her, to the right, parked outside of Central Market). It's a 50cc scooter, and it tops out at 40mph. I bought it to commute to work, and to ride to locations around town to save on gas and parking costs. But it's also just fun to ride.

The Mayor of Lancaster, Rick Gray, is a rider too. And he has vowed to promote scooter use in the City by asking the Parking Authority to set aside dedicated space in the nooks and crannies of City lots for scooter and motorcycle parking. It's even a goal in the City Strategic Plan: "More alternative modes of transportation are seen in the City (e.g., scooters, bikes and motorcycles)." Note, scooters are first... heh.

So, where civic duty and self-interest collide, lies this blog. I want to help myself by helping my City promote scooters.

Part of my day job is making maps. I've been making them for myself, plotting out routes I can take to avoid the big roads where people like to go faster than 40mph. And I thought others might like see them also. After all, the fun in a scooter isn't in the parking, it's in the riding!

Welcome

The purpose of this site is to promote commuter and tourism use of motorized scooters in Lancaster, PA. No brand snobbery here: everything from vintage Vespas to modern Asian designs are cool here. The point is to inform people about the fun of scooter travel, spread news of scooter-friendly places and events, and give people more reasons to use scooters as a mode of transport in Lancaster. I intend to post plotted scooter-friendly (under 45mph) ride routes and bring you news of new dedicated parking in the City of Lancaster. If you hear about any of these things before you see it here, help me out by letting me know.