| If you are considering a Scooter or a Vespa as your | | | | holes in the road surface. These hazards can cause |
| primary means of transportation to save money, there | | | | loss of control or damage. |
| are some things you need to know. Mopeds and | | | | Be especially conscious of traffic from behind. |
| Scooters are not the same, Scooters and Vespas | | | | Do not operate your scooter at night. The scooter is |
| have different motor vehicle regulations and safety | | | | not equipped to be operated in the dark or low light |
| issues than their larger cousin the Moped. Scooters are | | | | conditions. It may not be easily visible to cars, |
| inexpensive and they can save you a lot of money on | | | | pedestrians or other scooters. |
| gas and insurance. Scooters are easy to maintain and | | | | If you ride at night, make sure you have a safety |
| they depreciate slowly. However, because of their | | | | headlight for your scooter. |
| relatively smaller size, scooters are hard to see by | | | | Ride only on smooth hard surfaces. Motor scooters |
| drivers of motor vehicles especially in traffic and the | | | | are not designed to be used in off road conditions. Use |
| most frequent injuries are fractures to arms and legs. | | | | caution when rolling over obstacles. |
| The following tips will help you have safe "scootering": | | | | Avoid gravel or uneven roads. |
| Wear bright or reflective clothing to maximize your | | | | Do not allow the motorized scooter to be used in the |
| visibility at night. | | | | rain, nor to be driven through puddles of water. The |
| Wear a DOT, ANSI, OR Snell-approved helmet which | | | | motor, batteries and controls can be damaged if |
| are designed with hard outer shells and a retention | | | | exposed to water. |
| system to protect the head and the brain in a variety | | | | The scooter should be used by only one person at a |
| of impacts. In 2006, 41% of those killed in crashes | | | | time. Do not carry additional persons or items while |
| were not wearing a helmet. | | | | riding. Do not put additional loads on the motor scooter |
| If your helmet is not equipped with a face shield, wear | | | | by pulling or towing anything. |
| goggles or glasses with plastic lenses to protect your | | | | Scooters must have a seat for highway use. |
| eyes against insects, wind, dirt, rocks, or other airborne | | | | Park so you do not block sidewalks, handicap and |
| matter. | | | | building accesses, or emergency drives |
| Wear elbow and knee pads. | | | | Check all joints, hinges and quick releases to ensure |
| Wear slip-resistant shoes and avoid wearing sandals, | | | | the scooter is properly assembled. Stop using the |
| flip-flops or shoes with laces. | | | | scooter immediately if any joint, hinge, or quick release |
| Ride with the flow of traffic. | | | | becomes loose. |
| Obey the speed limits and never travel faster than | | | | Maintain proper air pressure in the tires. Low air |
| your skill level or than the conditions allow. | | | | pressure induces extra rolling friction, reduces ground |
| Know how to use hand signals and signal well before | | | | clearance, and wears the tires quicker. |
| you make a turn or lane change. | | | | If the brake lever touches the handlebar grip, stop |
| Use extra caution at intersections, parking lot | | | | using the scooter until the lever is adjusted. |
| entrances and exits, and driveways. | | | | This checklist is not completely exhaustive. You should |
| Avoid hitting road hazards, such as sharp bumps and | | | | check for state specific rules with your local DMV. |