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From: marauder@fluke.UUCP (Bill Landsborough)
Newsgroups: net.bicycle,net.cycle
Subject: Re: requesting advice about motorscooters for 16 yr. old daughter
Message-ID: <2539@vax4.fluke.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 16-Aug-85 13:01:04 EDT
Article-I.D.: vax4.2539
Posted: Fri Aug 16 13:01:04 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 20-Aug-85 05:11:03 EDT
References: <2036T3B@psuvm> <654@sfmag.UUCP> <4940@mit-eddie.UUCP>
Organization: John Fluke Mfg. Co., Inc., Everett, WA
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Xref: watmath net.bicycle:1527 net.cycle:1171

In my opinion they are not safe for anyone who plans to go anywhere except
around a controlled enviornment (such as exclusively on a University or large
corporation).  Scooters have very small wheels and steer very quickly therefore
oversteering is a problem.  Also the wheels get caught in ruts easily.
But the main problem is that people tend to think of them as just a toy.  Not
as a vehicle which demands respect.  So they ride with shorts and sandals and
no helmet because, "Its just a scooter, I can't get hurt."  Well they do get
hurt, often because they don't take precautions.
  Another problem with small motorcycles and scooters is that they can't stay
up with traffic.  When traffic is going 50 up an incline and the scooter can 
only go 35 mph the cars will pass, regardless whether there is room or not.
So the scooter rider is forced to drive on the shoulder and be subject to 
rocks, parked cars, glass and all of the surprises that bicycles have to contend
with only at a much higher speed.

Bill Landsborough




-- 

"Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not 
arrogant or rude... Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all
things, endures all things."   1 Corinthians 13:4-7