Modern Vespa

Sadly not OUR Scooters! It is an interesting read on something we already know:

Two Wheels (and 3!) are more FUN, economical and cost effective to operate overall!!!

https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/08/tech/ford-spin-scooters/index.html

I read in another version of the same story that one of the scooter companies has a market value of 2 billion dollars. That's a lot of tulip bulbs....

My cash is waiting for a practical urban electric scooter that has enough storage space for my helmet and shopping and can achieve 40 mph and 30 miles range. These toys are just not realistic option, but I reckon Kymco and the big 3 Japanese companies are getting close to a proper scooter design. I particularly like the removal battery concept so that it can be stored and charged inside the house and there is an option to own more than one battery. If this all becomes reality we will definitely need many more bike parking spaces in UK towns and cities.

The road out of here (my county) was gravel until after WWII. It is now mostly a paved over wagon road with spurts of modern improvement the politicians post in their recent re-election ads as their doing, not as done with my/our money. Like only they can make magic for we? So many magic fixes, it's amazing what they can do for us.

In all directions (4 roads out, all scenic but twisty and narrow) the stories the same, ~ 25+ miles of curvy roads that a stand-on scooter is not a solution. Ford & mfg.'s, focus on something else? Then again, maybe they know not how to make money off of combustion vehicles?
Ford builds 40,000 F-150's a day for 4 years in the new model and has yet to figure out how to keep the door latches from freezing. Just read about a guy who has had "5" so-called repairs to his 2016 and it still freezes up. Mine did it once and will not get the re-call "fix" done until I see that it works. I can see they need to focus on other things given the inability to fix a door latch? Hoping to get the "seat-belts that catch on fire recall" done the same day, sop there's hope.

Now, you can take this back to urban transport needs in apartment land...

I thought Hybrid/Biodiesel was going to be the next big wave but Tesla bypassed it and people are jumping on electric. Even Piaggeo has.

I'm okay with that change. It'll force energy companies to compete for other forms of energy generation and I think boost the wind/solar/water generation segment more. But I'm cautiously awaiting to see how "self driving" and completely automated vehicles take off.

Also, on a local level. Our little suburb has invested/partnered with Via. It's like a city owned or leased rideshare. It's growing in use but the highest users are the elderly who can no longer operate cars and children when parents are unable to get them to/from activities.

I forsee the two of these things eventually merging. Government purchase of automated vehicles that help the citizens get around. Granted I was wrong about the Hybrid/Biodiesel, so maybe i'm wrong

Well, it is an important technology for trucks and busses, but VW pretty well killed it dead as an option for smaller passenger vehicles with their diesel disaster.