TheScooterScoop

The Register-Guard, Eugene, Oregon, USA: “A convergence of funky style and fuel efficiency is causing a nostalgic buzz among commuters in Eugene and around the country: scooters zipping off the pages of motor vehicle history books and onto local streets.

Hondas and Yamahas from Japan, Kymcos from Taiwan and the granddaddy of all floorboarded two-wheelers – Italian-made Vespas – are seeing a resurgence in popularity as motorists look for alternatives to gas-hungry cars.

And maybe even a little wind-in-your-face fun.

‘One of the things I really like about what I’m seeing currently is that the age group is really expanded,’ says Bill Cole, owner of Eugene’s Wheelworks bike shop, which added Vespas to its line of scooters this spring.

‘It’s everything from young people to old people,’ Cole says. ‘I actually had a guy in his 80s who came in and bought a scooter. He said it was his way to revolt against the high gas prices.’”