I didn't realize the forum had completely lost its objectivity. Vespas are not cool. The idea of bombing around on a nice scooter through the neighbourhood with the sun shining is cool for sure. I don't think your experience in Calgary will be the same as cruising down the coastline in italy, stopping in a coffee shop for a latte and a shnapps.
I feel like you'll sell it after it wastes space in your garage for a year.
Me arriving at my physiatrist's office holding a motorcycle helmet:
Him: "What's that?"
Me: "...Eh? This?"
Him:[lists stats surrounding death, brain injuries, and spine injuries on a motorcycle vs a vehicle]
Me: "Oh, I live six blocks away and rarely ride it. I had this romantic notion of riding downtown everyday, but bailed cause of the traffic."
Him: "I'd sell the motorbike."
Me: "Actually, today I rode my scooter."
Him: "Sell it."
I've since sold them all (not because of him, mind).
Kind of regret not keeping a scooter, though. I never felt comfortable in Calgary traffic on it, but it was fun on backroads and sidestreets, going to 7-Eleven, etc.
You should have similar riding gear for a moped as you would for a motorbike. If you’re someone who would wear a suit on a Vespa, there’s nothing stopping you from similar gear on a motorcycle.
Me arriving at my physiatrist's office holding a motorcycle helmet:
Him: "What's that?"
Me: "...Eh? This?"
Him:[lists stats surrounding death, brain injuries, and spine injuries on a motorcycle vs a vehicle]
Me: "Oh, I live six blocks away and rarely ride it. I had this romantic notion of riding downtown everyday, but bailed cause of the traffic."
Him: "I'd sell the motorbike."
Me: "Actually, today I rode my scooter."
Him: "Sell it."
I've since sold them all (not because of him, mind).
Kind of regret not keeping a scooter, though. I never felt comfortable in Calgary traffic on it, but it was fun on backroads and sidestreets, going to 7-Eleven, etc.
Actually, us Vespa people never refer to our Vespa as a scooter. It's insulting.
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My kid used the Ruckus last summer because my euro wife raised in fairytale Denmark thought it would be a good purchase. I'd get anxiety just thinking about him driving it to work and back. Going to Macs or the sushi place nearby is fine but taking busy roads like Elbow drive. Plus it would just rain and was pretty useless on those days.
Nope, I'm buying you a car.
My kid got a Rukus when he turned 14 (here you can get an under 50cc license at 14), from my perspective it was awesome, he could take him self to the gym, baseball practice, school etc. It's crazy with them here, outside his high school there are 50 plus scooters. Now mind you we are in New Brunswick with not much in the way of people or traffic
It was great I bought him a new one, he put around 4,000km on it over 3 summers and sold it this spring for $400 less than i paid for it. Honestly one of the better $400 i have spent.
I'd take it around the neighborhood or up to the store once in a while was a lot of fun, although a bit slow with my fat ass on it.
You suggested putting a jersey and shorts on takes an hour to "squeeze" into, which is more description of putting on a wetsuit than bike clothes, which...this may amaze you...is about the same as putting on a T-shirt and fitted boxers.
You are correct that it's dangerous though, but that's only because most of humanity is awful.
Having to qualify that “I’m not wearing a wet suit” isnt making road cycling sound any cooler lol.
Do adults really care what other people thinks is cool?
I was firmly thinking that everyone thought they were cool so I was surprised when a buddy said they were lame. Came to CP out of curiosity about the coolness of Vespas, not that it would really sway me.
But adults do care what other people think, generally speaking. Otherwise all the dudes on this board would all wear $20 timex watches, drive minivans, wear cargo shorts with tube socks and new balance shoes.
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I was firmly thinking that everyone thought they were cool so I was surprised when a buddy said they were lame. Came to CP out of curiosity about the coolness of Vespas, not that it would really sway me.
But adults do care what other people think, generally speaking. Otherwise all the dudes on this board would all wear $20 timex watches, drive minivans, wear cargo shorts with tube socks and new balance shoes.
I have spent a lot of time in Thailand over the years and can’t wait to hire a Honda Click scooter when I get over there and get out and about. So much fun.
However, I did nearly get killed by a drunk Russian guy driving on the wrong side of the road so I know how dangerous they can be.
Been thinking about getting something similar to do the grocery run over here but haven’t pulled the trigger. The Niu NQi electric mopeds actually look pretty “cool”
I have zero shame so rocking one of these would be no issue for me.
Vespa's and those little small city/commuter style bikes really do make a lot of sense for a lot of people for quick, local needs. In Europe and other countries you see countless of them but not really in Calgary which is somewhat surprising, barely any ever. I am actually shocked you don't see any of these Skip and Uber eats drivers doing deliveries with the big basket in the back downtown, makes total sense.
They can fill some voids for sure and of course you need to be careful and there are risks for sure, they are not toys. This being said, the little electric Bird and Line scooters you see people riding around downtown are a little different ball game. People think they are toys and do stupid things with them but the repercussions are exactly what you think, these are motorcycle crashes, often times without helmets.
Medical friends who work downtown emergency at Shumir talk about nights with 40+ crashes a night of varying injuries. A friend who runs a neurological ICU in Edmonton talks about the life altering injuries he see's frequently with young people and these things.
You need to be 100% on and alert all the time and anticipate others movements but yes, little scooters are a lot of fun and cool.
Vespa's and those little small city/commuter style bikes really do make a lot of sense for a lot of people for quick, local needs. In Europe and other countries you see countless of them but not really in Calgary which is somewhat surprising, barely any ever. I am actually shocked you don't see any of these Skip and Uber eats drivers doing deliveries with the big basket in the back downtown, makes total sense.
They can fill some voids for sure and of course you need to be careful and there are risks for sure, they are not toys. This being said, the little electric Bird and Line scooters you see people riding around downtown are a little different ball game. People think they are toys and do stupid things with them but the repercussions are exactly what you think, these are motorcycle crashes, often times without helmets.
Medical friends who work downtown emergency at Shumir talk about nights with 40+ crashes a night of varying injuries. A friend who runs a neurological ICU in Edmonton talks about the life altering injuries he see's frequently with young people and these things.
You need to be 100% on and alert all the time and anticipate others movements but yes, little scooters are a lot of fun and cool.
Often? It's an earthshattering surprise to ever see somebody with an actual helmet; probably less than 5 times from what I can recall from my own experience seeing them around in all these years.
I've met people with broken jaws, arms and new sets of teeth from using scooters. Most people can't even properly operate a shopping cart. It's hardly a surprise when you hear about people getting royally ####ed up using scooters.
I was firmly thinking that everyone thought they were cool so I was surprised when a buddy said they were lame. Came to CP out of curiosity about the coolness of Vespas, not that it would really sway me.
But adults do care what other people think, generally speaking. Otherwise all the dudes on this board would all wear $20 timex watches, drive minivans, wear cargo shorts with tube socks and new balance shoes.
cool
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Captain James P. DeCOSTE, CD, 18 Sep 1993
