Bikes & Cars...

As winter gives way to spring and the weather warms up, more people are hauling scooters out of garages for 80 mpg+ commutes. I myself have been a scooter commuter, even in the rainy Pacific Northwest, for five years, and it looks like people tired of paying $3.30 and up for a gallon of regular are ready to join me on the road.

According to the Austin American-Statesman, via EVWorld, sales of two-wheeled wonders increased over 55% between 2000 and 2007. Meanwhile, over at MSNBC, a longtime scooter rider examines the pluses and minuses of scooter commuting. Parking? Big plus. SUV drivers not seeing you? Big minus.

If three-dollar fill-ups don't go far enough in your crusade to save money and the planet, there are scooters powered by electricity from companies like Zap and Bravo for about the same price as a gas-powered scooter from Honda or Vespa.

The rest of the world is taking the EV scooter by the handlebars, too. Indian company TVS introduced the Scooty Teenz Electric, which is aimed at teenage girls who travel short distances. It has a range of 25 miles, goes about 25 mph, carries a surprising 250-plus pounds, and has a ridiculous name.

Back in the U.K., traffic congestion in cities like London and Glasgow has prompted the Automotbile Association to deploy officers on electric scooters to deal with breakdowns. The plan is on trial in Central London for three months, and will hit Glasgow soon.

Last stop on our international tour of scooter lovers: Cuba. Raul Castro has loosened controls on consumer goods, leading to a national buying spree. One of the most coveted items is a Chinese-made electric scooter. These had been banned from general sale for fear of putting a strain on the weak Cuban electrical grid; I guess we're about to find out if that's true.

Photo courtesy Bravo Electric Vehicles.