Scooter Fever Hits North America: Jump On

Several aspects of North American culture always frustrate me. First, the hubris that permeates all aspects of our thought, leading us to believe our own constructed mythology of greatness. Second, I despise the lazy and childish nature of the fashion industry here. Take one look at the streets of Paris, London, Barcelona or Tokyo. Enough said. Third, I can’t stand the penis inspired “bigger then yours” syndrome of North America. No sir, a big truck does not make up for a lack of size in other areas. A flashy, expensive car does not substitute for character. Your wardrobe expands with each season with only the latest names? Bravo. Try expanding your awareness of the international community.

Wait? How does this tie into scooters? Allow me to explain. Roughly six months ago, before recession and high gas prices, I splurged and bought myself a scooter. Although neither manly, fast, nor sexy, the scooter allowed me to conserve gas while maintaining a relatively rapid mode of transportation throughout my fair city.

While some of my acquaintances loved the idea of a scooter, most thought of it as a novelty, a gimmick or shtick. Others, whom I cam across on the road, examined my new transportation with curiosity or animosity. However, almost universally, all thought of it as a secondary vehicle. And I must confess, living in Lethbridge Alberta, and trudging through six months of winter, I initially did not plan on it becoming a large part of my life.

Yet times progressed. I have ridden ol’ scootzie the scooter through rain, hail and snow. I have fallen with her, I have seen her crashed by others, and I have witnessed her enveloped by the wicked sandstorms of the prairies. I have braved the roads, and been tailgated, pushed to the side, ignored, avoided, and mocked. I have also crossed the city faster on her then in a car. I have passed long stalled lines of cars and saved precious time. I have enjoyed the fresh air of an afternoon after work and have felt alive in the early dawn of dew and crisp air. I have pulled up to many a vehicle at the pump, only to smile, drop a few dollars in the tank and pull away while other customers gaze with jealously. I have watched the prices of gas climb, and felt the sting of annoyance that I did not bring an extra 50 cents to top of the tank.

And now things are changing. All across Canada and the United States, consumers are increasingly turning to scooters as an alternative mode of transportation to the gas-guzzlers of years past. It is obvious that bikes and rollerblades will always be the ultimate green mode of transportation; the hybrid scooter is a close second. And the attitudes are changing as well. Finally, we North Americans are looking outside our culture to find alternatives. We are looking to the streets of Rome, the centers of Spain, and the nations within Asia, South America and Africa. We are dropping the hulking hubris of the trucks and SUV’s and adopting the intelligence of the scooter. Still not convinced? Sasha Pave provides a further ten reasons to rethink the old stereotypes of the scooter. I can think of one more. “Why not?”

~ by maffersalmon on July 23, 2008.