Council considers parking for motorcycles and scooters in Austin

(Austin scooterists ready to buy a pint for Mike Martinez and Randi Shade)

This from News Radio 590 KLBJ

Scooters and motorcycles will have their own parking spaces in downtown Austin if two City Council members get their way. On Thursday, the Austin City Council is set to hear an ordinance calling for a study on registering scooters for use in parking spaces on Austin streets and licensing the two-wheelers at City Hall.

Council Member Mike Martinez, co-authoring the measure with Council Member Randi Shade, says it would benefit traffic by reducing the amount of cars on the street. He says under the plan, one parking space per block would be designated for scooters and motorcycles and parking would be free of charge for people who have registered at City Hall.

Martinez says there are no formal methods for parking scooters downtown.

Man, that's the best thing I heard all day. Shout out to the Honorable Council Member Mike Martinez's Executive Secretary Jazmin, known to you modernbuddy readers as "MadToLive".

I dreamed the the Honda Cub starred in its own movie.

AND IT CAME TRUE! That's right Jolly Rogers pictures in Japan has finally given the good old Honda Super Cub a staring role in her own movie called, what else? "SUPER CUB!". Sure she's had plenty of guest appearances and co-starring roles (HERE), but her time has finally come. Thanks to Tim for scoopin' us once again! Now, who's gonna be the first to import the DVD when in comes out in Japan?

Look at Arkansas! Working for better 2-wheeled parking.

(AR just wants some love for 2-wheelers like they show in San Diego. Source Urban Review STL)

Wow! "Big-ups" to the Fayetteville Revolution Scooter Club! I saw in the news that they're seeking out signatures on their online petition to create more designated parking for 2-wheelers!

"More parking for scooters and motorcycles encourages more scooter transportation, which reduces our carbon imprint on the world," said Quentin Daniel, spokesman for the scooter club. "Plus, if there was a spot where five scooters could fit, as opposed to taking up one parking spot, that would leave more parking for other cars."

Respect to Vespa for facilitating the move via their Vespatition campaign meant to encourage city officials to accommodate more scooter parking, promoting a healthier environment, lower congestion, and maybe increase scooter sales a little bit.

Of course Arkansas currently has special provisions for small bore scooters (<50cc) allowing them to park on sidewalks like bicycles, so a change like this makes even more sense. Get them in parking spots before the sidewalks are too congested for pedestrians.

If you want to get something started for YOUR city, check out the Vespanomics site. You don't need to have a Vespa. If you've got a Hog or a Honda, doesn't matter, as long as you support the cause.

No WONDER more people ride scooters in Taiwan

Because their promotions really grab the consumer. No, I don't think you understand. Watch the video.

Cheers to counterspade in Taiwan for sharing!

Stunt Ape featured in Oktapodi

Here a Vespa Ape (Ah-peh) is featured in this charming and funny video called "Oktapodi" from French artist Julien Bocabeille (who just landed himself a job at Dreamworks SKG). You can see more of Bok's work on his blog (title link).

If you are a fan of good animation, you should check out this cool BBC Intro for the Olympics from the man behind the Gorillaz.

Review: 2008 Yamaha Morphous

Review - 2008 Yamaha Morphous from thescooterscoop on Vimeo.
Here's the latest companion video to the Motorcycle.com review. I'd like to know what you think about the Morphous. Love it? Hate it? Totally confused by it?


(Here I am showing 'em the goods out in front of the Rock Store)

Alix succeeds in putting peace on the map!

From the PeaceScooter website:

I’ve done it! What was a dream 14 months ago is now real! We can all rest well knowing that a 22,000 mile Peace sign is on the map. It looks like a four year old scribbled it there, but the stories are wise. I still have so much to tell you!

But, wow, stop and think about it! 22,600 miles later, traveling roads that aren’t fit for a scooter, I’ve done it, carved a huge Peace sign onto the map!

Wow! Alix I'm am awestruck by what you've accomplished. There was a cause for the greater good and you stood by that cause for over a year and nearly the circumference of the entire earth. Helmets off to you my friend.

I didn't understand the connection at first. Scooters and Peace. But after I thought about it I could see some logic... Using less resources could mean less fighting over those resources. Then I saw this video and it finally sank in... "Whatever you do, just do it for peace." - John Lennon


Cheers to you Alix, on a job well done and cheers to our good men and women overseas who are doing their jobs so they can come back home and live in peace with their families.

Definition of "Bat outta hell"

I was tip-toeing through the TopSpeed.com blog (see title link) and found this video. I think it does a great job of illustrating the following:
Bat out of Hell
Raped Ape
Scalded Dog
Going like the Clappers

He's definitely not riding this road for the scenery.

Road hazard - Going up... Second floor, housewares, linens and appliances

Ok, this is a tad bit off topic but it's astonishing to watch. I hope everyone had a chance to evacuate. Probably so since the road was already blocked off.

PS> The title is meant to confuse... it's just an optical illusion.

Cute car vs. fast car - and the winner IS?

Smart Car Vs Lamborghini
Eh, it's close. You'll have to judge who the winner was.
Thanks for that one Tim!

To PIMP or not to pimp, THAT is the question.

(just one of MANY ways to pimp your scooter.)

You know... I was just wondering. This question is really for the Touring / Maxi scooter owners. If you had the loot and the US had the parts availability, would you consider customizing / tricking out / pimping your Maxi Scooter (250cc+)? Or, would you just stick with something more understated? There are as many outrageous ways as there are tasteful ways to do it... I just want to know if it's something YOU would do.

Review - 2008 Yamaha C3

Here's the lasted video that goes along with the written review for the 2008 Yamaha C3, being hosted over at Motorcycle.com. Read the review over here. I enjoyed it, but I tell you what... I've said it myself and heard from others; we would love to see a that new Zuma 125 engine stuffed into the C3 with a slightly upgraded suspension, seat and front disc. Yamaha? 2010?

Amerivespa 2008 images available!

(This is one scooter accessory that is purely American)
If you missed out on all the fun that was Amerivespa this year, fear not! The 2StrokeBuzzards (is that offensive? what do you call people from 2strokebuzz?) have a great batch of shots over HERE. If you want to see more there are a couple hundred billion shots over at Scoot.net, as you would expect. Looks like it was quite possibly the worst possible rally to miss this year.
Waaaa!- D`:

Attention Mech pilots! Check out Givi's X.01 Gold 30th Anniversary Helmet

The Givi X.01 has always been one of the wickedest helmets in all the land (especially the black one). Well, if you're lucky and you know someone in the UK that can score you one, you can be the proud owner of 1 of a limited 500 piece run of these gold-n-white Mech pilot helmets.

What's really clever about the x.01 is the fact that you can swap out the chin protector. You've got the solid one for the winter and the skeletal one for the summer... OR you can just remove it all together if you prefer the open face style. I'm not sure how well a removable chin piece works... but I know that I won't be finding out. (1) The x.01 will not be available in the USA and (2) I don't plan on jumping off my scooter for the sake of testing (sorry).

You can see much more on the x.01 series by visiting webBikeWorld.com

Honda Super Cub - 50th Anniversary Edition

Supercublogger in Tokyo has gotten the scoop on the brand new 50th Anniversary Edition of the Super Cub and Little Cub. From this photo you can see she's got a black-n-gold badge. For the most part it seems Supercublogger likes this new Cub and is probably snickering at those of us who will likely NEVER see one in person. For more photos, click HERE to visit the Supercublog site.

On another note, we have seen a 50th Anniversary Edition of the Frisbee and might even see a 50th Anniversary Edition of the Hula Hoop! So take THAT Japan.

(I think she's cheating.) Riethausen/AP