Scooters are cool.

Someday I will have a scooter. Yes, I know I do not have the world's best balance, nor do I typically enjoy two-wheeled vehicles, well, most anything recreational on wheels, but I will have a lime green scooter. And I will have a sidecar for E1 (and sometimes Tiller) and a cute helmet, safety first!

I prefer the term "scooter" to "moped." A scooter is a style of two-wheeled motor vehicle defined by characteristics such as a step-through frame, wheels less than 16" in diameter, and an engine located below the rider and to the rear. Mopeds are a class of low-powered motorized vehicle under 50cc, generally two-wheeled, driven in an upright position with the rider's back at a right angle to the seat.

Genuine Scooter Company
The Buddy International with their two-toned paint scheme are pretty sweet, the Buddy: Saint-Tropez (pictured right) or the Buddy: Little Italia. GSC was founded by now President Philip McCaleb, worked in Europe and "upon his return to the states, McCaleb didn't see millions of people driving around in cars. Instead, he saw millions of people who loved scooters (they just didn't know it yet)."

After restoring and selling vintage Vespa's and other scooters, McCaleb got ahold of some vintage scooter manufacturing equipment and produced his own, the Stella (pictured left). Success has continued along with the formation of both Stella www.stellaspeed.com and Buddy online groups, Modern Buddy. Scooter subculture, the Erins kind of people.

Vespa Probably the most well known scooter manufacturer, "evolved from a single model motor scooter manufactured in 1946." "With its elegant lines and classic aesthetics, the Vespa is recognized as the epitome of Italian design" but I find the Stella and Buddy more appealing because they aren't as mass produced.

With the rising price of gas (how many times have you heard that phrase on the news lately?) scooter sales are also increasing. Hooray, more scooters! For you Ohioans, this Columbus Business Journal article discusses the increase in sales. Grandpa Piehler can be spotted happily riding his scooter around Gahanna.

SCOOTERS WHERE YOU LIVE!
Columbus:
Columbus Scooter & Cycle Outlet: 935 King Ave
Kickstart Scooters: Combo scooter store and coffee shop!
Zoot Scoots
Cincinnati:
Metro Scooter
Chicago:
Scooter Works
Windy City Scooter Rental
Genuine Scooter Company
Oklahoma City:
Atomic Brown Scooter Shop
OKCCuriosity:
Non-profit of scooter aficionados

Now you might be thinking, what does this have to do with weddings. Think how awesome it would be for the Bride and Groom to ride into the sunset in their BRAND NEW lime green scooter with side car? You could make that dream a reality.