Woman Hurt In Scooter Crash

See Lancaster Online article. Unfortunately, with the rocketing rise in scooter usage, a rise in these types of articles is likely. People: a bicycle helment is not designed for the speeds and the types of impacts you get in a scooter crash. Get yourself a DOT approved helmet.
Scooter riders traditionaly have not worn full face helmets. But I strongly suggest one. 35% of crashes impact the chin bar area. Where your teeth are. Don't become a believer after the fact...

Sad News

A 66 year-old Lancaster County man was killed 7-31-07 while riding a scooter on Rt. 772 just South of Leola, according to the Intelligencer Journal. The report was posted on Lancaster OnLine. Apparently a car pulled in front of him and he couldn't avoid the collision. He was wearing a helmet, but pronounced dead at the scene.

The rider was Emauel Beiler of Gordonville.

I'm thinking of the yard signs that proliferate in the summer: "Motorcycles Are Everywhere". So are scooters. This accident happened in the middle of the afternoon on clear, sunny day. Drivers: look both ways. Then look again. Don't just look for moving things the size of a car... really see and evaluate your surroundings.
Riders: Always assume that car in front of you is going to do the stupid thing.

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.

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.