Will Scooter Commuting Become the New Fad in Kitsap?
November 11th, 2008 by brynn grimleyIllahee resident Jacob Metcalf sent me an email this afternoon, asking me to put a call out to readers/bloggers in the area who could offer him some input on his pending decision to purchase a Honda Metropolitan Scooter.
Here’s his email to me:
“Currently I live in Illahee but I am moving to Manette and I work at Keyport. I am thinking about getting a Honda Scooter that tops out at 40mph. I was planning on taking Centeral Vally road for most of my commute and then 308 to Keyport. Do you think this is doable or suicide? Do you know of any other scooter commuters in Kitsap?” (If you want to read more about his choice to ride to work, as opposed to driving a car, visit his reader blog on seattlepi.com.)
After reading the blog entry on the PI’s site, I can see why Jacob wants to get Kitsap input. For those of you who regularly visit Seattle, you know it’s not uncommon to see people whipping around on Vespas, Hondas or any other brand of scooter. Especially now with the increase in gas costs. Scooters make sense downtown, you can go places cars can’t, parking is easier, and it’s the faster version of a bicycle.
But, do scooters make sense in Kitsap? I can’t say I’ve seen a scooter driven here…but I sure do see a lot of motorcycles. In my opinion — which I have no experience on a scooter, and have only been on a motorcycle once to go around the block — I would be somewhat leery to ride a scooter in Kitsap on the open highways.
Back roads, yeah I’d be more willing to ride those because residential streets have lower speed limits (assuming people follow them). I have no experience, but I would think Jacob would be fine on Central Valley Road with a scooter. I would be a little worried about riding at night in the winter when it’s dark and often wet, but if you’re lit up enough you should be fine. (Another route possibility could be to go from Manette to Illahee Road and follow that to the Brownsville Highway. That way you don’t have to cross Wheaton Way to get to Central Valley, and then cross 303 again to get to Keyport…but as you pointed out, the speed limit is between 40 and 50 mph, and people are impatient on those back roads with higher speed limits.)
Any thoughts from drivers out there? Do you think scooters will become more frequent on Kitsap Roads as people try to save money? Are they safe? Any local scooter riders out there have feedback for Jacob?
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November 11th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
The dynamics of Kitsap’s transportation virtually restrict any serious effort to include scooters. I’ve thought about purchasing one, but passed on the opportunity when I considered safety issues. Until the large SUVs and 18-wheelers get off the roads, scooter riders will be in serious jeopardy. I have yet to see a motorcycle-vehicle collision in which the unprotected motorcycle rider fared better.
I hope Jacob decides against the proposal. Go buy a tank!
November 11th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
I know couples who live in their motor homes and ride scooters anywhere they want to go and without hesitation on our highways.
One couple has since permanently moved to western Washington but they did and still do scooter everywhere. His and Her scooters.
I don’t know about night riding but as long as you’re lit up and ride carefully and defensively, it shouldn’t be a problem.
On the really bad weather days/;nights a car might work safer.
When its raining so hard windshield wipers have trouble keeping up and drivers have trouble seeing…I wouldn’t want to be out on a scooter.
I’ve never heard a negative comment on scooters from people who ride them all over the country.
Enjoy! Sharon O’Hara
November 12th, 2008 at 8:20 am
It may have escaped your notice, but it rains a lot here. Scooters have no protection from the rain, thats why you seldom see them on rainy days. Ride the bus, Kitsap Transit needs the money.
November 12th, 2008 at 10:51 am
The Honda Scooter made in Japan is has a 49cc engine and starts at 2000, The 49cc Vespa Scooter made in Italy starts at 4000 and the 150cc engine model goes for 5200 I believe. So I don’t know if a 49cc engine will be enough for some of the roads of Kitsap.
It is a shame that the US auto makers don’t have anything similar to a Vespa and they are now asking the public for a corporate welfare bailout . It is unfortunate that there is this escalation of metal on the road.
I grew up driving a 80 Honda Civic and I currently drive a 97 Neon and I don’t ever see myself owning a larger car but I think a Scooter would be a lot of fun and save a lot of wear and tear on my car.
I have friends that ride motorbikes to and from Keyport in the rain but they bundle up and be careful with reflective vests over their jackets. There are no bus service that goes to Keyport. I would stay off the freeways and I know how to get around Kitsap without using the highways.
I was going to wait for March and I have to take a Washington state Motocycle safety class first. I’ll let you know how things go in a couple months.
November 12th, 2008 at 11:32 am
The Vespa S is 150cc and starts at 4200. It has a top speed of 59mph and still gets 72mpg. http://www.vespausa.com/Products/VespaS.cfm
I might want to save up for one of those and have more power to drive the Kitsap roads. Being Rear ended after a blind turn by a car driving 60+ on Brownsville HW while I am scooting around at 35 is my main fear of a 49cc scooter. If I was going 60 on Brownsville I think it would be safer.
November 12th, 2008 at 11:36 am
Also Cliff’s Cycle Center in Bremerton is a Vespa dealer in Kitsap. I’ll go over there and take a test drive and kick the tire.
November 12th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
A friend has a Prius and gets 40 mpg or so and no problems in the 2 years he has driven it.
At the other end of the spectrum is the recumbent trike. Comfortable, great exercise and they make wind and rain ’shields’ for the front.
Some can be used and assisted with electric or gas assist motors. Another neat option is the velomobile…human powered or with an assist.
Silverdale Bike Shop sells one or more brands…or I can give you a long list of places to check different companies and different models….or good urls.
November 12th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
My commute from Mannette to Keyport and back is 20 miles each day with several hills. I don’t think I could do that on a recumbent bike or trike and there is no way in heck that I would feel safe riding one on Browsville HW.
I am probably going to save up for a 150 CC Vespa
http://www.flickr.com/groups/vespaclub/
November 12th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
So after I wrote yesterday that I’d never seen a scooter driver in Kitsap, sure enough on my walk to get coffee this afternoon a man on a bright blue scooter puttered by, I am assuming on their way to the ferry.
I didn’t get a chance to ask him about his Kitsap scooter driving adventures, but it was raining and he was out on his scooter. He was in complete rain gear, I might add.
The more I think about it, I have seen scooters in Kitsap, but only in line to head back to Seattle on the Bremerton ferry. I think the three or four people on the scooters were tourists that had rented them in Seattle, taken the ferry over here, and puttered around for the day.
My only other experience with scooter drivers has been in Italy where they are just crazy! Rome probably had the highest number of scooters on the road…they zip in and out of traffic and most drivers don’t obey traffic laws. They go between cars, up on the sidewalk and basically through any light (red or green) they want. Surprisingly I never saw a single scooter-car/scooter-pedestrian accident the various times I visited Italy.
Jake I do think you’re better off with a Vespa, solely for the reason that you can reach higher speeds. The drivers in this area can get pretty impatient and I would hate to write up a CODE 911 item where some impatient SUV or pickup truck driver tried to run you off the road.
Maybe you’ll start a new trend and raise awareness about scooter commuting in Kitsap!
November 12th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Most of our roadways are unsafe for bikes…but the trend is to build walkways/cycling paths and one day….
I agree that if you get a scooter you would want to keep up with traffic.
That being the case, what makes the scooter differ from the motorcycle?
November 13th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Scooters have a lower center of gravity, they are smaller and you sit on them with your legs in front of you like a car rather than startling the engine.
I also think they are much cooler! Basically this is sort of my early mid life crisis toy.. But being a big liberal I am I want one that make me look cool and gets 70 MPG. Also I think it would be good for commuting since about 90% of my driving is too and from work. I could do light shopping with a back pack or the under seat trunk.
I am also going to get a weather cover for it at home and another one for work.
I am going to wait to get a 150cc Vespa this spring and take a cycle safety course. My friend has a classic vespa from the 60s and she offered to teach me to ride before I start commuting with it.
Thanks for the input. It was essential in me deciding to go with a more powerful scooter.
December 5th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
I see lots of flag waving around Kitsap, but it would be nice to see folks walk the talk a bit more. When gas prices shot up over $4 a man at a pump driving a monster Caddie had the audacity to complain to me about the prices. We all have a hand in our dependence on foreign oil and the state of the economy.
I just bought a scooter (max speed 60) for those trips that really don’t require a PU or car. It’s great!! The one problem as many bicycle and motorcycle riders will tell you is that some car drivers have an attitude problem. It seems better in N Kitsap than farther south since lots of locals started driving below the speed limit when gas prices shot up. Plus, you do have to think about routes a bit more. Even though my scooter goes 60, I stick to non-freeway routes — risk minimization.
I’ll use it when it makes sense from a weather, route, and transport perspective. This also means I can take the ferry without worrying about scheduling around the tourist runs, can save a few bucks on fares, and leave space on the ferry for more folks. Imagine if 50% of the daily ferry car commuters that drive alone decided to drive a motorcycle, scooter or bicycle — voila, the need for and cost of ferries for the taxpayers would drop substantially. Maybe instead of passenger only ferries to Seattle we need Smart commuter ferries that just exclude cars and trucks.
Scooters, motorcycles, and bicycles could also reduce the cost of road maintenance since weight on the roads pays a significant part in the wear and tear.
So I figure, by converting to a scooter I’m doing everyone a favor including myself.
December 18th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
I ride a Vespa 250 in Kitsap and paid $4000 for it, used but with only 178 miles on it. I ride it everywhere, the freeways are no problem as it tops out around 80 mph. It is quick and fuel efficient. I’ve ridden for 45 years, owned all types and sizes of scooters and motorcycles, this one is one of the best. Someone mentioned they have no weather protection, not so. The leg shields throw the rain off to the sides as well as does the extra tall windshield, as long as I keep moving in rain I DO NOT get wet, but wear bright rain gear just in case I’m stopped at a light for a long time. This scooter has 2 head lights and I wear orange or red clothing, it is risky as people do not look for 2 wheelers, I always scan ahead and think “what if”. In 45 years I have not had an accident.