The Benefits Of Using A Scooter
Unfortunately for most people on this planet, we’re currently living through a world in complete crisis. First up, you have the massive rates of inflation that are riding in on the back of a virus that is still active. Then, of course, you have the climate crisis. That’s not even getting into international conflict and supply chain issues that are driving the cost of fuel (crude oil) through the roof.
The point being: These aspects of daily life are really making it expensive and perhaps even a little unethical to drive around in a regular automobile. Sure, everyone needs to get back and forth to work, go to the store, travel, etc, but the fact is that normal automobiles are becoming much more of a burden than they used to be.
Is there a solution to this? For many, they believe that electric vehicles (EVs) are the future. Though they’re incredibly costly and difficult to charge. Others rely on public transport, but that option is only available for people in urban centers. So, what is the answer? More and more people are finding out that they can buy an awesome scooter and solve most of these issues.
Your basic scooter might not look like much, but it’s a powerful little machine, constructed on a sturdy frame, and it offers myriad benefits. If you were to buy a good scooter, you could experience many different benefits.
Some Of The Best Benefits Of Owning And Using A Scooter For Your Commute
Sure, talk is cheap. It’s easy enough to read an online post that just tells you over and over “Buy scooter! Buy scooter!” That sort of rhetoric is not really worth the digital page it’s printed on. What people are looking for is an actual reason to make such a purchase.
Well, there’s a lot more than one reason. Here are a few of the best benefits you could experience were you to buy yourself a scooter.
1: Scooters Are Easier On Fuel
Did you know that the average scooter gets about 70 miles to the gallon The average automobile gets about 25 miles to the gallon, and that’s if they’re new-age models with fuel efficient standards. This means that a scooter is nearly three-times more efficient on gas mileage. And don’t worry about not being able to zip around like in an automobile. A 150cc scooter, which is the industry standard model, can reach speeds up to 70 MPH. Yeah, they’re fast and they’re very fuel efficient.
Think about how much money you’ll save on fuel. It will cost you less than $10 to fill it up, even if you’re dealing with the high-end range of gas prices, and you will only have to fill up a third as often.
2: Scooters Are Easier To Park
Parking can be extremely frustrating, especially if you live in an urban area. You find parking spots that are too small for most cars and trucks, and so you have to go pay to park somewhere. Then that just leaves you walking. With a scooter, however, you can fit it in anywhere and so parking is no longer an issue. You also won’t have to fuss and fight with any sort of parallel parking. You will be able to easily slide into any parking space and not have to worry about things. This is just an aspect of using a scooter that’s exponentially more convenient than a normal automobile.
3: Scooters Are Very Affordable
Another reason you may want to buy yourself a scooter: They’re far more affordable. The average scooter will run you around $2,000. The average car, however, is $48,000. Yes, you read that correctly. According to the Kelly Blue Book index, the industry standard for automobile prices,the average car will run you nearly $50k! This is an insane disparity. You’re paying around only 4.1% of the price of the average car when you buy a new scooter. To say that scooters are very affordable is the understatement of the year.
4: Scooters Can Go Anywhere
In most states, scooters are allowed anywhere. They’re wider than motorcycles, so they have more balance. They’re lower to the ground with better suspension than most regular bicycles. And so what you have is an automobile that can ride on any type of road. One of the main reasons a lot of people shy away from buying a scooter is that they believe scooters are only good for residential neighborhoods or short trips. This isn’t true. You can take a scooter anywhere that a normal vehicle would go.
They’re also just flat-out fun to ride, and so you will enjoy getting to your destination.
5: Scooters Are Environmentally Friendly
Because they burn less fuel overall, scooters are far more environmentally friendly than normal cars. They have smaller engines that idle easier too, and so you’re burning less fuel in every conceivable instance of riding your scooter. Even if you’re sitting at a red light and running, you’re barely burning any fuel, and so you’re releasing very little carbon. In places like Italy, scooters are huge due to how environmentally friendly they are. They’re also really picking up steam in urban American centers.
You can also get electric scooters, which require no fuel at all, and then you’re really reducing your impact on the environment.
6: Scooters Offer Easy Maintenance
Any sort of running engine is going to require maintenance. That’s just the name of the game. These parts can and will wear and break, and you will have to maintain and repair the equipment. When you buy yourself a new scooter, however, the maintenance involved is far easier, both for the body and the engine. This is because it’s easier to do a few things, such as being easier to:
- Change out the brake pads
- Access the engine and fuel lines
- Replace your filters
- Change the oil
- Perform body maintenance on aspects like lights and tires
Maintaining a scooter is a lot easier, and thus a lot cheaper, than maintaining a car.
7: Scooters Come In A Wide Variety Of Sizes And Styles
Perhaps the coolest thing about buying a scooter is that your options are incredibly vast and varied. Unlike the olden days, there’s far more than just one type of pedal-start moped out there for you. No matter what your style, no matter how much power you want, or even if you want a lot of storage, there is a scooter out there for you. Here are just a few of the many options you can find when looking to buy a quality scooter.
- Change out the brake pads
- Access the engine and fuel lines
- Replace your filters
- Change the oil
- Perform body maintenance on aspects like lights and tires
- Change out the brake pads
- Access the engine and fuel lines
- Replace your filters
- Change the oil
- Perform body maintenance on aspects like lights and tires
The list really goes on and on when it comes to what type of scooters you can find out there on the market.
Answering Some Common Scooter-Related Questions
Before you buy a good scooter, you may have some more questions to ask, other than how beneficial buying one may be. Well, here are some answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the purchase of a new scooter.
Are Scooters Street Legal?
Yes, in all 50 states, scooters are street legal, as long as they’re registered. The only catch here is that you will want to check with your local state to see if your scooter is legal to drive on the interstate. In some states, you cannot drive a scooter on a major interstate, but the vehicles are 100% legal in all other instances.
Do You Need A License To Ride A Scooter?
Yes, you will need a license to ride a scooter legally. For a moped, which is rated as 50cc and under, you only need to be older than 18. For an engine rating higher than 50cc, you will need an operator’s license. Visit your local DMV and register your scooter, as well, as that’s what makes it street legal.
How Much Does A Scooter Actually Cost?
Prices range, but you can expect to pay around $1,500 for a typical 150cc scooter. More powerful and more advanced options go for more, but the average price is around $2,000.
Does A Scooter Take Regular Gas?
Yes, a scooter runs on normal gasoline, because it has a 4-stroke engine. This means you will not need to mix gas. You can shop the normal range of gasoline from any gas station.
In Conclusion
With so many different benefits and so few drawbacks, there’s absolutely no reason at all that you shouldn’t look into buying a scooter for yourself. It’s a great, fun way to go!