Are HIGH Gas Prices Giving SCOOTERS A BOOST In Sales? Would YOU Consider One?

Say what you will about scooters but one thing's certain, their sales are starting to pick up across the U.S.

While their utility and ease of use make getting around urban sprawls easy, there's been a long-held belief that scooters were more of a fashion statement than a tool to get around. Well, with gas prices ratcheting up, it appears that's not the case anymore.

According to The Detroit News, sales of scooters have rocketed past last year's figures and appear to be on fire for 2011.

While there may be a correlation with sales of scooters and rising gas prices, one thing I can't manage to wrap my head around is who really buys them?

Even if gas prices continue to rise, would you even find yourself in the market?

Scooters, which originally became popular in the United States in the 1950s more as a fashion accessory than as serious transportation, are gaining a new popularity with people like Dr. Richard Bromberg, who is spending more time traveling the roads of Fort Lauderdale astride his Piaggio scooter, less behind the wheel of his Toyota Prius hybrid.

"I can fill up my scooter with gas once a week for $8," said Bromberg, 74. "And every time I do, I feel I'm sending a personal message to foreign oil producers."

With gasoline near $4 a gallon and used-car bargains scarce, sales of scooters — some of which are rated by the manufacturer at or above 100 miles per gallon — have gone from warm to red-hot, some retailers say...

[Source: The Detroit News]

2011 BMW M3 Frozen Black Photo Gallery

Lotus Evora S USA Launch Photo Gallery

2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class Photo Gallery

2012 Volkswagen Passat Photo Gallery

2012 BMW 1-Series Photo Gallery

AutoSpies.com Photo Galleries

If you want to see your photos running on our homepage photo ticker, be sure to upload your photos on the go by sending them to Mobile@AutoSpies.com

Share on Facebook

Read Article

quizz - 6/12/2011 10:30:27 PM

-5 Boost

Would never drive those death traps. I don't trust those driving around me to subject myself to the risk of instant brain damage.

upwards - 6/13/2011 12:00:15 AM

-3 Boost

Not a scooter but a Harley.

tango - 6/13/2011 1:04:18 AM

+12 Boost

I've been riding my 90cc Yamaha Axis to and from work and to the local grocery store for years. Nothing beats the fuel economy and convenience of a scooter/motorcycle. Here in Jamaica we can (and are expected to) lane split so sitting in traffic is optional. I can also park it anywhere (usually even closer to the door than disabled parking spots). I still have my car though because it rains here. A lot. I could have opted for a larger motorcycle, but the utility of a scooter is better. You can fit two grocery bags under the seat, and another two on the platform. If I still had my carrier on the back that would be at least another bag. A week's worth of groceries on a teaspoon of fuel! Brilliant!

Joe_Limon - 6/13/2011 10:55:58 AM

+1 Boost

Scooters can be expensive. I'd rather get any similarly priced motorbike, even if it's an underpowered cbr125

truckman - 6/13/2011 2:17:31 PM

+2 Boost

I love motorcycles, I am a competent rider, I even considered being a stunt rider, that is before they were doing back flips, the thing that changed my mind was watching an extreme motorcycle video where these nuts were doing 200+ foot jumps in the sand dunes, I can do big jumps but nothing compared to those guys, I was able to do cat walks...but driving any bike on the street is too dangerous, although even a scooter would be fun to drive, I just wouldn't want to share the road with trucks and cars, If everyone drove bikes I would.