People have called my motorcycle a “killer donorcycle”, but can’t imagine getting seriously hurt on a scooter. Here’s a news flash: A scooter IS a motorcycle. Sure, it’s slower, cuter, and has an automatic transmission with no clutch, but it is a motorcycle. That means that the scooterist has all the same safety considerations and faces all of the same risks that a motorcyclist must contend with. The state of California recognizes this fact by requiring a motorcycle endorsement to ride a scooter. Unfortunately, most scooterists, around here at least, only get their learner’s permit to be somewhat legal, then wobble off wearing nothing more substantial than a helmet — and that’s only because of the helmet law. This is bad.
If you purchase that Vespa or Metropolitan, I would ask that you do the following:
- Get training. Check out the Motorcycle Safety Foundation to find a class near you.
- Wear your gear. Helmet, gloves, riding jacket, riding pants, boots. Not like this person.
- Have fun! I harp on safety to everyone I can not to be a killjoy, but because many motorcycle injuries are preventable. Nothing spoils the ride more than a trip to the ER!
Tags: motorcycle, safety, scooter