Hybrid News

Filed under: Legislation and Policy, On Two Wheels, European Union

Back in the late ‘90s, many European countries decided to allow car drivers, those with a B license, to drive scooters up to 125 cc. This was an effort to ease congestion. However, France has decided to partially overturn this measure. Although scooters account for 1.1 percent of all the traffic in France, 10.1 percent of all traffic accidents and 18 percent of all traffic deaths are related to scooters. The Ministry of Interior has therefore decided to make car drivers either get a motorbike license (type A) or follow specific training (which costs about &euro130) to drive scooters. Drivers who don’t learn more about what driving on two wheels is like risk to be fined by the police. It looks like Italy and Spain are about to follow France on this one.

[Source: Auto Journal]

France will require scooter drivers to get special training originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original post by Xavier Navarro

Filed under: MPG, Honda, SMART, On Two Wheels

Scooter sales shot skyward just about as fast as gas prices did early this summer as the little buzzers took the place of larger, gas guzzling machines, especially in urban areas. Honda’s got some new scooter advertising floating around these days, and it’s pretty clever, likening the diminutive smart fortwo to the even smaller 50cc Metropolitan scooter (click the ad at the right to enlarge). Of course, Honda’s two-wheeler handily outperforms its much larger four-wheeled cousin, more than doubling the fortwo’s EPA mileage ratings. Still, it’s always tough to compare the virtues of a scooter with those of a car. It takes quite a commitment to choose open-air riding on the back of a little scooter as opposed to the relative safety of a “cage.” Plus, the smart can get up to highway speeds with nary a problem, something that can′t be said for the Metropolitan. Regardless, we think the ad gets the point across that the scooter’s got style and efficiency in droves. And you?

[Source: Trends Updates]

Honda scooters - outsmarting the smart? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Filed under: MPG, On Two Wheels, USA

Vespa makes some great scooters, but up until today, the Italian two-wheeled wasps were burdened by a rather unwieldy website. It’s hard for customers to make informed purchasing decisions when the manufacturer’s website doesn’t offer the information that’s needed to differentiate its wares from all the other options. So, Piaggio, Vespa’s parent company, has developed a brand-new interactive website for its line of stylish, metal bodied scooters, and we spent some time talking with Paolo Timoni, President and CEO of Piaggio Group Americas and he took us on a guided tour. Follow along after the break.

Continue reading Vespa rolls out brand-new interactive website

Vespa rolls out brand-new interactive website originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 13 Nov 2008 23:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Filed under: Etc., Transportation Alternatives

When Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson was recently photographed riding near his Oxfordshire home on a Vespa, it caused a minor uproar. That’s because Clarkson has long had a rather derisive attitude toward two-wheeled conveyances. Seeing Clarkson on a scooter caused some observers to accuse him of hypocrisy. It turns out the reason that Jezza was on a two wheeler had to do with the current situation with fuel prices and the move by many drivers to down size. Being a “responsible” motoring journalist, Clarkson felt it was his duty to investigate the ramifications of the two wheel switch.

So, off he went to take the test that would allow him to legally ride on a scooter followed by a proper on-road evaluation of the Vespa. Clarkson goes on to describe the vagaries of shifting, steering and braking on a two wheel vehicle. It turns out that by Clarkson’s calculations, riding a scooter is not inexpensive even though a Vespa only costs £3,499. By the time you add in the requisite leather, helmet, coffin, headstone, cremation, flowers, etc, it gets pretty pricey. It seems the bottom line is that no matter what you do, “you will be killed.” Maybe we should just walk.

[Source: Times of London]

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Original post by Sam Abuelsamid

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Transportation Alternatives, USA

A couple of weeks ago we were telling you about the 600-mile inaugural run of the Zuumer from ZuumCraft. While it’s one thing to have a company representative talk about their product, it’s often more illuminating to hear a review from an unassociated party and so we bring you news of a test drive from the ZoomiLife EV blogger, Sebastian Schepis. Self-described as not easily impressed, Mr. Schepis spent an hour riding the electric three-wheeler and enjoyed it so much he decided to actually buy one. Of course, he’ll have to wait a bit. The first 150 carving machines are only arriving in the U.S. in January. His review is accompanied by some close up, detail pics and fills us in on a few features we were previously unaware of, the most unexpected of which is cruise control. Yup, bring the lithium ion-powered trike up to your desired speed and hit a button and there you stay until you hit the brakes. Which brings up another feature. As well as a headlight, it also has a taillight which is activated by the brakes. If you’re thinking, “The only thing it really needs is a keyless alarm.” don’t worry, it’s got that too. Click on the photo above for the full ZoomLife review.

[Source: ZoomiLife]

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Original post by Domenick Yoney

Filed under: MPG, On Two Wheels, Green Daily, USA

As gas prices rise, so it seems do the sales of gas-misers like scooters and small-bore motorcycles. Larger, more powerful and therefore more expensive motorcycles are doing the opposite, dropping in sales like the pickups and SUVs of the automotive realm, though surely for different reasons. Many of the pricier luxury items like that chromed-out Harley V-Twin you’ve lusted over for years are taking a back seat to keeping the Family Truckster filled up with gas, or even being replaced with a scooter. In fact, so far this year, scooter sales have risen an astounding 66 percent over the same period last year. Every manufacturer, from Piaggio and Vespa with their relatively small city-scoots to bigger machines like the Burgman from Suzuki, has reported double-digit gains. Instead of being ridden solely for the enjoyment of the rider, these machines are making the shorter trips and errand-runs that big SUVs were making not that long ago.

[Source: CNN Money]

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Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Transportation Alternatives, USA

What better way to launch a new transportation product than to take it on a long trip with some sweet scenic vistas. In the case of the Zuumer (rhymes with boomer) from ZuumCraft, the journey being undertaken is a week long and covers a distance of 600 miles from San Francisco to San Diego along the beautiful California coast. The three-wheel electric ultralight scooter is powered by a removable lithium ion battery and employees a double-forked steering column with a low center of gravity that not only keeps it stable in the turns but also highly maneuverable. The rear axles seem to have some funky tilting action going on that contributes to its ability to carve your way along like a skateboard. Of course its also perfectly fine for going in a straight line and can do so for around 25 miles on a charge.

While the trip, along with your chance to try it out, ends this Friday, the company has lots of videos of the Zuumer in action. The first batch of 150 units arrives in January and the company is accepting deposits now. Total price tag is in the neighborhood of $2,000 which is a lot less than its Segway competition and won’t make you look like a total dork (sorry Segwayers). Hit the jump for a couple videos of some Zuumer carving-it-up action.

[Source: CleanTech / ZuumCraft]

Continue reading VIDEO: ZuumQuest ‘08 = 600 miles of standing room only

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Original post by Domenick Yoney

Filed under: On Two Wheels

Scooters first became popular in war-torn Europe after the first few world-wide spats broke loose and conspired to ruin the economies of a great many countries, not the least of which was Italy. The boot-shaped nation responded by embracing small, economical scooters, especially the wasp-like two-stroke Vespa. From there, it didn’t take long for the scooter craze to pick up steam as subsequent models gained more power, more gears and, therefore, more top-speed and acceleration. By the sixties, the little Italian scooters were ready for American roads and the population here snatched them up in droves. Things got a bit out of whack as gas prices made small cars so much more useful than the two-wheelers, but all things two-wheeled are picking back up as of late, with many scooter manufacturers reporting double-digit sales increases across the board.

Despite the high sales figures of new models, older Vespas and Lambrettas are regaining much of their lost popularity as well. Click here to watch a fun and very well-done video of the current scooter action in Portland, Oregon.

[Source: King 5 via 2Stroke Buzz]

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Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Filed under: On Two Wheels, China, USA

A Michigan man has found his own personal solution to high gas prices in an interesting three-wheeled enclosed scooter which leans into turns from a Chinese company known as Xingyue. Before this story, we were not at all familiar with the company, though a Google search does turn up a little information. Powered by a 150cc single cylinder four stroke engine, the scooter is capable of traveling on any road that is not a major highway and is fully street legal. The new owner estimates that he is getting fuel mileage of around 120 miles per gallon when he keeps it under forty miles per hour and 80-90 miles per gallon when he’s really wringing it out.

This machine appears to be some sort of copy of the Honda Gyro. Though we tend to shy away from unknown Chinese scooters, reputable brands like Piaggio, Vespa and Yamaha have appeared on these pages in the past. The enclosure of the Xingyue allows a slightly longer riding season for those who live in areas with poor weather much of the year. See a video of the machine in action here.

[Source: ABC 12 News]

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Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Filed under: Green Culture, On Two Wheels, Green Daily

Click above for high-res gallery of the Piaggio MP3 400 and 500

Finding yourself stuck in a truck? Gas guzzling got you down? You are certainly not alone. Though the most obvious thing to do would be to ditch the fuel-inefficient vehicle for a cheaper to run model, Fox Business has other ideas. Keep in mind that the current value of pickups, especially full-sizers, has dropped nearly as dramatically as the fuel prices have risen, so you′re not likely to get what you owe, assuming you are still making payments. That’s why getting out from under your purchase could end up costing you more than its worth.

If you’re stuck with a gas-hog, what are your money-saving options? Umm… drive less. No, seriously. Consider public transportation and carpooling if possible. Ride your bike when its practical and even *gasp* walk. Of course, it’s not always possible to walk or ride a bike to get where we need to go. Fox ends by suggesting a scooter as a second vehicle. It’s worked out for lots of people already, but be sure to count that cost too before making any rash decisions. We′re cycle fans who recognize the fun and low-costs associated with scooters, but safety and practicality cannot be ignored. Whatever you do, get used to it, ’cause gas isn’t likely to begin dropping back down any time soon.

[Source: Fox Business]

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Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Filed under: On Two Wheels, Pacific Region

Australia’s The Age newspaper reports a 400 percent increase, since 2003, in Scooter sales in Victoria, Australia due to the rising cost of gas and city parking fees. Australia-wide, 15,000 scooters were sold last year, a 300 percent increase since 2003. The Collingwood’s Vespa House has seen sales go from two a month to fifteen a month and other scooter suppliers have seen similar increases.

The increase in sales is prompting changes, according to The Age: In October, the city of Melbourne’s policy of allowing scooters on footpaths is under review and groups like the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce are pushing for more scooter rights like scooters being allowed to ride in bike paths.

Below the fold is a video of the scooter in the movie Roman Holiday.

Related:

• Video: Scooters invade Chicago!
• The Scooter Scoop hosts the first Genuine Rattler Buck Ten review
• Schwinn makes scooters too, sort of
• Vespa (or any other) scooters in New York: good idea or bad idea?

[Source: The Age]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Original post by Lascelles Linton

Filed under: Etc., Ford, On Two Wheels

var digg_url = ‘http://digg.com/autos/Ford_gets_viral_with_BFT_video_campaign’; “Built Ford Tough is a mantra for truck and owner alike. F-Series leaves no room for compromise. It’s reputation for toughness has been earned on the farms, work sites and roads across America. So, if you’re going to drive the toughest truck, then you’ve got a responsibility to man-up and do your part. There’s a code of conduct when you’re behind the wheel of an F-Series. We’re here to enforce it. We’re here to protect and serve the brand.”

So says Ford with it’s “Built Ford Tough Rules″ team. Not compromising apparently means no scooters. Rule number 2 excludes transporting scooters from acceptable Ford F-Series truck usage. We imagine that those who ride or rebuild scooters might need a truck to transport them. If that is the case, you’d better look at a brand other than Ford for your needs.

PS - We do realize that this is satire. We’re aren’t really offended : )

[Source: Ford via Autoblog]

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Filed under: Etc., Green Culture, HUMMER, On Two Wheels, Green Daily

There may be a rare case or two out there, but we’d bet that the average Hummer owner would never want to be seen on a scooter, nor would a Vespa rider want to be seen driving a Hummer. The kind of person who chooses to commute on a scooter probably is morally against what the Hummer represents, and those who choose to drive a Hummer to work probably don’t care that the scooter is a more efficient means of transportation, right? Sure, Hummers aren’t really any worse than any other SUV out there with an equally sized-engine… but few would argue that they are certainly perceived as different.

With all of that in mind, it’s not surprising that when the two camps get together, sparks fly. If you′re interested, click here for the original post which stirred the ire of the Hummer drivers, and then check here for the response.

[Source: The Scooter Scoop]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Filed under: Etc., Transportation Alternatives, On Two Wheels, European Union, UK

Many taxi drivers have made the switch to hybrid power because of reduced cost in fuel and for the promised environmental improvement, but as far as we know, there is only one taxi service using Piaggio MP3 scooters to lug passengers and their cargo around. The service is known as NIP Bike and is available only in Paris at this time. Whether or not the company has plans to branch out into other areas we don’t know. The service might only be able to accept one passenger at a time, but the luggage capacity is pretty stout with both side cases and a 42 liter Piaggio top case available.

Tom Tom provides navigation advice to the driver, meaning that a direct route to the final destination should always be taken. The rider and passenger can speak to each other using bluetooth equipped helmets from Nolan. Would you be willing to take a taxi service on the back of a scooter?

[Source: Bikes in the Fast Lane]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Filed under: Etc., Legislation and Policy, On Two Wheels

Scooter use has skyrocketed these last few years due to the ever-present concerns over fuel mileage and vehicle emissions. Chinese manufacturers have stepped in to provide many of the machines that are currently available for purchase and are often offered at very low prices. Those low prices make them attractive to people who have never owned a scooter before and are not aware of the diverse brands already on the market. One fact which is often overlooked is that Chinese manufacturing companies come and go with some regularity, and the same scooter could be badged with a different manufacturer logo every day of the week.

The ever-changing Chinese scooter business causes problems when it comes time to register the scooter, as this story very clearly bears out. Randy Bearup purchased a Chinese scooter branded as a Ricardo, and was able to register the scooter for a short period before he was contacted by the DMV, at which time his license plate and registration were requested back. It seems that the scooter, although labeled as California approved, was not in reality ever tested by authorities. Since this particular model of scooter had never been tested, nobody could be sure whether or not it met California’s emissions requirements, or any other standards for that matter.

It’s important to realize that not all Chinese-made machines are of low quality, and not all are horrible polluters either. But it is difficult to know which brands and machines are properly certified and which ones claim to be one thing but are in fact another To quote the often-used phrase “buyer beware,” make sure that the model you are looking to purchase comes from a reputable dealership which carries reputable brands. A little searching on the internet can go a long way towards saving yourself from a major headache later.

[Source: CBS13.com]

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski