Hum seems we have a lot of stereo typing above. If you look at Italian men you might say they are the most arrogant and alpha males in the world. I think scooters in europe has more to do with their economy. They don’t have massive credit card limits nor massive home mortgages as our banks have allowed us USA-ians.

One of the coolest things I saw while in Rome were the massive amounts of “Motorini”, As I found they call their scooters, that I saw especially during their early morning commutes. Each signal was an opportunity to have a corsa which meant no lanes were respected and sidewalkers had better beware.

I myself never got the whole “Scooter” thing until… I went to the greek islands. I then road one and had a ball touring around the little towns and beaches, it was special. Would I own one here in LA… too scary even in a car to drive here.

Not if, but when gas prices skyrocket again this summer, I think that the necessity to minimize fuel costs will be multiplied by people’s apprehension at our current economic situation. With good scooters costing less than $2000, I imagine that many many more people will embrace the beauty of less being more. I also think that in regards to the macho side of things, there are a great number of people who don’t really identify with the harley or sport bike scene either, and thereby never end up riding anything on two wheels even if they might really want to. The lightweight ease of a scooter is a great alternative to 400+lbs of manual transmission, snarling motorcycle. The fact that there really are highway capable scooters out there is just not common knowledge more than anything. This recession is teaching us a lot of big lessons the hard way — myself included — and hopefully “less is more” is one of the big ones we pick up on as we move toward a more moderate and sustainable national lifestyle.