Oct 2, 2006 12:45 am US/Mountain
With Scooter Sales Up, Driver Safety Is A Concern
by Ericka Lewis
ARVADA, Colo. (CBS4) ―
With higher gas prices, more people have turned to driving scooters in Denver and they are more popular than ever across the nation.
At Erico Motorsports, sales of scooter are up 35 percent.
"There are the gas saving features, and it's a fun way to commute to and from work," Beth Maxim of Erico Motorsports said. "The vehicle itself costs less than a car would be to purchase."
But even the experts admit not all scooters are created equally. Some can be dangerous if not driven in the right environment.
Police said a scooter driver involved in a deadly hit and run accident on Sheridan Boulevard was driving a model that had a maximum speed of 35 miles per hour. The posted speed limit on Sheridan is 45 mph.
The vehicle was legally allowed to be driven on Sheridan, even though it may not be able to keep up with traffic.
"If you find yourself in a trouble situation where you need to speed up quickly, you're going to have less of an ability to do that with a smaller engine," Maxim said.
Maxim said the size of the scooter the victim on Sheridan was driving is safe for side streets, but drivers need a larger engine on busier roads, even if it is legal to drive there.
"You're going to want a vehicle that's going to be able to keep up with the flow of traffic for safety purposes," Maxim said.
While protective gear like helmets and clothing are good options, perhaps the best thing drivers of scooters can spend their money on is a safety class.
"So they would not only be conscious of what's going on with them and the safety of their vehicle, but also the safety of the vehicles operating around them," Susan Medina of the Arvada Police Department said.
A motorcycle endorsement is required for models with larger engines and there is no mandatory registration, just a $10 sticker.
Models with more power need to be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles, and are required to have a special license plate.
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