Spring fever, pain at the pump spur scooters' popularity

By Thomas V. Bona

BusinessRockford.com

When Jim Phelps rides his scooter, he gets honks and stares from other motorists.
But he also gets up to 90 mpg. And now he’s got company.

“This summer, I’ve seen just an explosion of motorcycles and scooters on the road,” said Phelps, co-owner of Phoenix Traders in Rockford and a scooter rider for the past two years.

“I think a lot of people are realizing that they need to drive or ride differently,” he said. “I think you’re going to see even more on the road.”

Sparked by high gas prices, scooter sales increased 24 percent year-over-year through March, according to California-based trade group Motorcycle Industry Council.

But localdealers say the real increase was last month, when spring weather brought on riding season and drivers sick of $4 gas rushed in.

“We’re struggling to keep them in stock,” said Ty Ribovich, salesman for Hammertime Sports in Belvidere, which has seen a six- or sevenfold increase in sales this year. “(If I had seen it coming) I would have ordered 50 of each size. There’s no way to forecast this sway in the motorcycle industry.”

The last time there was a big increase in scooter sales was in 2005, when gas prices also spiked, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council.

Sure, high fuel prices are the biggest factor. But scooter fans say they also do it because it’s fun.

“I think it’s the freedom — you can go where you want, and it’s easy to park,” said Dan Gilbert, a Rockford attorney who started commuting five miles each way by scooter a few weeks ago. “I feel pretty good when I’m riding, especially when I fill up my tank and it only costs me $4. ... With my commuting and driving around, I’ll be able to pay for the bike by the end of August.”

Scooters are often less intimidating than motorcycles for newcomers because they’re generally less powerful, have automatic transmissions and are easier to get on. They range from low-power models best suited to off-road use to high-powered varieties that can take major roads.

Like cars and motorcycles, they require special licenses. They also require special care when riding on the road.

“I’ve been a little bit concerned about not being seen, so I’m extra careful when I’m on the road, slowing down at intersections and keeping an eye on other drivers,” said Larry Runestad, who bought his scooter this spring for his one-mile commute to his job at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Rockford.

It also means other motorists need to take care.

“Always check your blind spots and be on the lookout,” said Brenda Glahn, assistant general counsel for the Illinois Secretary of State’s office, which regulates motor vehicle licenses. “It used to be you couldn’t see around SUVs, and now you have to look out for smaller vehicles.”

But despite more scooters on the road, there hasn’t been a significant increase in scooter-related accidents, according to Rockford Police Sgt. Dane Person.

Scooters do have an environmental downside. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, scooters and motorcycles pollute more per mile than cars and even sport-utility vehicles. That’s because until 2006, the smaller vehicles had lax emission standards, said Frank Acevedo, environmental protection specialist for the EPA’s Chicago region.

Pre-2006 scooters and motorcycles could pollute 50 times as much as cars, while recent models pollute seven to 15 times as much.

“Those engines are still not as clean as the light-duty cars, but they’re getting a lot better,” Acevedo said.

And they still drink a lot less gas, he said, so they help the environment on that side of the equation. And that’s key for scooter converts like Runestad.

“I would fill up the SUV probably once every week or two because I would take a lot of other trips around town. Now it’s probably once a month,” he said. “As much as I possibly can, if it’s not raining cats and dogs, I’m out there.”

Staff writer Thomas V. Bona may be contacted at 815-987-1343 or tbona@rrstar.com.

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So you wanna ride a scooter?
Make sure it meets federal vehicle standards, or else you can’t get it registered in Illinois and can’t legally ride it on a roadway.

Don’t get more scooter than you need. Consider how much speed and power you need, and get one that just meets those needs.

Get a license. Some small ones can be driven with just a regular driver’s license, but others need a higher certification.

Take a motorcycle safety course.

Wear safety equipment: a helmet, eye protection and colorful clothing.

Pick a route that doesn’t have a lot of traffic if possible.

Unlike bicycles, you can’t pull alongside vehicles in the same lane. Act as if you’re driving a car.

Watch for other motorists, who may not be used to scooters on the road. They may not see you even if you see them.

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