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I don't wave to scooters as I live in Boston and they're a dime a dozen. And they need all the hands they can get on their handlebars... ugh. It's amazing to see the surge of scooters everywhere... and how dangerous their respective riders have gotten.
I was hit by a scooter, in my car, while stopped at a stoplight. The guy was wearing a 'skull cap' and a backpack.. and messed his hands and arms up pretty bad and looked like he knocked some teeth out. I couldn't help but lecture the guy on how stupid he was and how he should wear gear. It infuriates me to see so many idiots on the road.
MA needs to REQUIRE training for scooter/moped riders. It'll keep idiots off of our streets.
wow talk about a sad story...anyhow as far as waves go I only wave to trikes
RIP
I do not know if I should wave to scooter riders now considering that they might be a little inexperienced.
As for the course, I think even after training scooters with their light waves are a little more vulnerable. Wind draft from huge SUV's can destabilise a scooter easily. I saw a scooter rider the other day who looked very scared riding it was riding it very very slowly and so slow that his handle was wobbling and probably was not aware that he would be a a little more stable at higher speeds.
A basic course just for scooters with basics would be a great thing.
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Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing.
...one of my most terrifying rides ever was back when i was 18 and a buddy loaned me his 50cc scooter to run to the gas station for smokes....(my buell being in the shop for recall work at the time). riding that thing in traffic was horrifying. 25 mph tapped out and hugging the right shoulder for dear life as cars zinged past. wobbly 12 inch tires, and i'm pretty sure i could have stopped faster by dragging my pumas instead of relying on those brakes.
i definatly think some kind of scooter training class is in order. just because they only top out at 30ish doesn't mean we should just let anyone hop on and ride one without any sort of 2 wheeled training.
My understanding of the scooter/moped laws are that it must be under 50cc AND have an automatic transmission.
Sorry to hear about this womans accident...
Last year I did research for our department concerning the influx of pocket bikes... this is what I found:
Massachusetts General Laws:
Chapter 90 Section 1: Definitions
"Motorized bicycle'', a pedal bicycle which has a helper motor, or a non-pedal bicycle which has a motor, with a cylinder capacity not exceeding fifty cubic centimeters, an automatic transmission, and which is capable of a maximum speed of no more than thirty miles per hour.
"Motorized scooter'', any 2 wheeled tandem or 3 wheeled device, that has handlebars, designed to be stood or sat upon by the operator, powered by an electric or gas powered motor that is capable of propelling the device with or without human propulsion. The definition of "motorized scooter'' shall not include a motorcycle or motorized bicycle or a 3 wheeled motorized wheelchair.
Chapter 90 Section 1c: The catch all...
Motorized bicycles and motorized scooters shall comply with all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards. Basically scooters have to comply to all motor vehicle laws.
Chapter 90: Section 1E. Motorized scooters; operation regulations
- A motorized scooter shall not be operated on any way by a person not possessing a valid driver’s license or learner’s permit,
- nor at a speed in excess of 20 miles per hour.
- A person operating a motorized scooter upon a way shall have the right to use all public ways in the commonwealth except limited access or express state highways where signs specifically prohibiting scooters or bicycles have been posted,
- and shall be subject to all traffic laws and regulations of the commonwealth and the regulations contained in this section,
- except that:
(1) a scooter operator shall keep to the right side of the road at all times, including when passing a motor vehicle which is moving in the travel lane of the way; and
(2) the scooter shall be equipped with operational stop and turn signals so that the operator can keep both hands on the handlebars at all times.
- No person shall operate a motor scooter upon any way at any time after sunset or before sunrise.
- A person operating a motorized scooter shall wear protective headgear conforming with such minimum standards of construction and performance as the registrar may prescribe.
- No person operating a motorized scooter shall permit any other person to ride as a passenger on the scooter.
- A person convicted of a violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than $25 for the first violation, not less than $25 nor more than $50 for a second violation and not less than $50 nor more than $100 for a third or subsequent violation.
Chris J.
"You're going the wrong way!!!"
"How does he know where we're going?"
03 Aprilia Tuono, 06 Yamaha R6, 16 Yamaha XSR900, 13 VW Touareg
One of the MSF riding schools just announced a Scooter class.
I just shake my head sadly at the fools I see on a scooter wearing a skirt and flipflops.
I used to think the guys with the Full Armor jackets were over-doing it, but then I remembered kissing the ground hurts, and I respect them for at least having the common sense to cover up.
Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing.