Consumers grudgingly purchasing scooters

...according to a post in AutoblogGreen, anyway.

There's a new term to add to your vehicular lexicon: the grudge purchase. This phenomenon usually occurs shortly after pumping gasoline into your SUV and the inevitable large outlay of cash which follows. Scooter shops seem to be benefiting the most from this new-found appreciation for high gas mileage.Motorcycle sales are also up, but are seeing a smaller upturn. According to The American Statesman in Texas, an informal poll of area scooter shops shows that all of them are citing higher-than-normal sales of gas-sippers. Especially now that the weather is turning nice in most areas of the country, we expect that the sales will keep on humming for the next few months at least.

Yeah scooters!  Especially electric ones.  I don't know about the grudging part though.  People should be thrilled to buy super cool scooters!

Well sure, going out and buying a gas scooter keeps you trapped in the same ugly energy/oil dependance, just with a bit longer range and a lot more exposure to traffic dangers. 

If you're looking to reduce your carbon print by going two wheels, then go fo a Vectrix electric scooter.  The thing is a blast to ride and is totally practical, if you manage it's relatively limited range (32-38 miles).

Well that assumes you have the what, 11 grand?  An electric moped won't be as fun or as fast, but you can get one with a 20-30 mile range and 30 mph top speed for $2-3k.  I actually have seen a few people riding mopeds around recently, but unfortunately gas powered.

Don't get me wrong, I think the Vectrix is super awesome.  But electric mopeds are an affordable and practical alternative.

Yeah, I've been seeing an increasing number of mopeds around San Francisco....but I do think a lot of those are gas powered too.  I have to admit...I sure like the look of the Vespas.

ahhhhh. vespas... me likey a lot.

i used to repair and restore vintage vespas. i used to know a lot of the scooter kids in san fran. we'd all meet up at rallies. ahh. those were the days. it's been years since i was last at a rally.

the newer vespas are expenisive. holy cow.

go vintage and same some $$. plus the vintage ones look cooler. giggle. another green thing about going vintage, you are re-using, instead of buying new.