Modern Vespa

I had the pleasure of riding my Vespa in the New York City Columbus Day parade. Just wanted to share a pic

RocklandDad,

That must have been a great experience. If possible, do you have anymore photos?

Looked like great fun riding with all those other Vespas.


Bob Copeland

Yes! I have tons. I will post over the weekend.

Here are some more pics. It was a great day - a very memorable experience. I have owned two vespas. My first was an ET4 for 15 years, and my second a GTS 300 that I got in April 2022. I have been a member of various scooter local scooter clubs but in my 24 years of scootering have not ever done a group ride or meetup - work or family obligations always got in the way since it's quite a commitment to dedicate an entire day (it's usually on a Saturday from early morning until early evening) to a group ride. With little kids etc just difficult. Now as my kids are older, and I was able to get away this was an amazing first experience for me to participate in and I am hoping for many more meetups like this in the years to come - Even if I dont do the group rides, rest assured, I will be there next year for the parade!

That looks so nice! Hope you enjoyed

In Brooklyn for the night before boarding our cruise ship in the morning. When the cab dropped us at our hotel a Vespa GTS was parked in front. I took that as a good omen.

Tons of cheap delivery scooter with "interesting" handlebar cover as it is raining. Many home made from shopping bags, duct tape, bakery boxes and my favorite a very neat, smooth diamond shaped muffs apparently made with tin foil. Very neat, folded sealed seams that actually looked pretty good.

RocklandDad,

Super photos revealing some strong Vespa fans. Same experience, kids grew up and I went back to two wheeling on a scooter. Went on my first group ride and I was hooked. I know it was a thrill for you.

Again, very fine photo work. You captured the mood of the group.

Bob Copeland

The NYC Vespa Club? You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. You must be cautious.

That's an Obi-Wan Kenobi quote.

The ride got a couple shots in the NY Post.
https://nypost.com/2023/10/09/thousands-cheer-on-the-79th-annual-columbus-day-parade-in-nyc-photos/

The scooters you are describing are ruining our city and responsible for many accidents. They are death traps on wheels. Many are 150cc but have zero regulations and are as you mention held together with tape.

A wretched hive of scum and villainy? I found them all to be warm, welcoming and full of knowledge. Cautious? You must be kidding.

Interestingly enough the riders I observed were riding properly for the most part the exception being the sidewalk riding to pull up at storefronts. When I walked to the store yesterday I noticed that maybe 40-50% of the ones parked were electric. I wouldn't say they were ruining the city. Compared to the rest of the country it was sort of nice seeing scooters used as functional transport.

I did see a few Vespas and a Liberty being ridden but with it being Saturday and raining there weren't a lot of people or vehicles out.

I am all for two wheeled transportation, however, the delivery guys, bike lanes and out of control riders are making it more dangerous. There are definitely many accidents. I think there should be some safety protocols and more rules put into place. There is no way a 150cc scoot should be in the bike lane that is made for cyclists.

Come on. Of course I am. That was how Obi-Wan Kenobi described Mos Eisley, the spaceport on Tattoine where they went into the canteen and met up with Han Solo. I'm a duespaying member myself. It's an interesting, pleasant, NYC-diverse crowd.

The lawless delivery and rental scooters that ignore all traffic and safety regulations, however, are definitely making the city a miserable place to drive and ride. Their recklessness makes all drivers hate two-wheelers. What may look like quaint scooterism in a nice neighborhood on a one-night layover is a whole different thing in real life. This has gotten ten times worse in the last two years. Cagers have become more reckless, too, as traffic has returned to NYC, but not by a factor of ten.

The rules exist but are not being enforced. I don't understand why.