TheScooterScoop

Before the Segway there was the Autoped, the first American built scooter introduced in 1917. (Nerd fact: California Senate Bill 1918 was introduced to attempt to classify segway riders as “pedestrians”.) More like a motorized kick scooter than a step through motorscooter, this was still top technology in it’s day.

If you had the chance to attend the NY Motorcycle Show recently you may have seen one in person. Here is the copy from a letter that was kept with the scooter on display:

1917 Autoped – The Autoped Company of American Long Island City, New York 1916-1920.
The Autoped is considered to be the first motorscooter invented in the United States. They were designed by Arthur Gibson and Joseph Merkel (the designer of the Flying Merkel). Powered by an air cooled 4-stroke engine, they could reach speeds of 30 mph.

In mid 1918 the Eveready Battery Company got involved and they were then fitted with a battery and coil. Some models were sold as Everyeady Autopeds.

The unit seen at the show (below) is 1 of 10 known to exist in the United States at this time. I have located nearly all the other 9 adn know who owns them and most are in museums, including the Smithsonian. The unit at the NYMC Show was purchased from the original owner’s son (the son was 74 years young). He told me that dad had it from new as a teenager and rode it for a while until it stopped working. Dad removed the fuel tank and fuel tube and stashed the bike in the coal bin out back, intending to fix the tank. It languished out in the coal bin under the coal until 1974 when dad was moved into a nursing home and the house was sold. The son moved what he could find to his home in Nassau County (about 10 miles from the original house in Willetts Point) and there it sat until I aquired it.

The unit is 100 percent original unrestored, down to the original headlight and taillight and wiring. One of the owners of 1 of the others has agreed to let me make a copy of the fuel tank from his unit and the other parts necessary to complete what I have the schematics for.

It is for sale, a rare opportunity to own 1 of 10 autopeds in existance that from research are the only motorized 2 wheelsers ever built in New York City. See Mudfish 631-395-5382.

Thanks again to Ripley Radio for the shots!