Modern Vespa

While eating lunch today, I glanced out the window and saw an SUV sitting where I had parked my scooter. SUV pulls up, and scooter is laying on its side. I ran outside ready to chase someone down and kick the shit out of him. It was a very pleasant and apologetic older woman who immediately produced insurance information. Hope the big bald guy wearing boots and a flight jacket, running towards her and yelling, didn't distress her too much. The dent to the left side is quite large, though.

that sucks man. sorry to hear. That's 2 people who I know within the last 48 hrs, had their scoot knocked over.

years back my front fender got tweaked cause my neighbor in my condo backed into my scoot. It was fortunately chained to a cement column, so it didn't go over. But in the process the lock that secured it 'seized up". It was a PITA to finally unseize the lock.

Seems sooner or later......we'll all have our scoot knocked about

best of luck with the repair....

That's a perfect example and excuse to park it on the sidewalk. I havn't been bothered by parking inforcement here in Sacramento. I drive for a living and go by a person who parks her/his late model Vespa downtown and I cringe everytime I see someone parallel parking in front of it.

I figure I'll be the guy to get the stupid parking ticket, so I park properly. When I returned to my lunch, the waitress said "Just park on the sidewalk, bikes do it all the time". Too late.

This is why I tell people not to bother fixing these dents/dings in the city... it will only happen again.

FWIW- I've been ticketed parking on the sidewalk in S.F. so I won't be doing that again (except in front of my shop).

We're allowed to park on the footpath here if we don't block anything, but I still got a ticket once outside my house. But every time (only a couple) I've parked on the road a car has run into me. Luckily just little baby scratches though.

That sucks Bicky- I hope the repair is quick. It's nice to hear that the driver didn't take off and leave you with a big repair bill though.

That is why I park on the sidewalk and velcro the plate... Pull it and throw under the seat every time I park anywhere, even on the street so the plate doesnt get ripped off. Where I live in Brooklyn is much more lawless that most places, though.

When I had my ET4, a co-worker backed into it. They were not as nice as your backer, and snuck off. My lot at work is secure (gate) and fenced, so I know it was a co-worker. Now, I park in a space with two sides curb (we're not allowed to park on the sidewalk at work) and that seems to have helped. When I go out in public, I either park in M/C parking if there is any, on the sidewalk, by two curbsides or far away from cars. I'm very careful where I park and if I think I'll not have a good parking option, I don't take the scooter. But, I'm lucky enough to have options about vehicles.

Khaiku do you have problems parking on sidewalks in Austin? I have done it at HEB and stuff but wonder if I will get a ticket for parking on the sidewalk. My scoot is bigger than the smaller Vespas so I think it will stick out a little more.

The problem here in Austin is "Everyone" seems to drive cars so big they can't see any scoots when they are parking. Luckily at my work they have a bike/motorcycle parking area in the garage so I park there without many problems.

That would totally not work here - no license plate means ticket because you don't have a plate. They'd get you on the VIN. If yours isn't visible they'd just tow your bike.

They're evil here.

I am fortunate to work in a private office park and park my LX right on the sidewalk next to the front door. Parking lots scare the s#!t out of me.

When I had the GTS, I didn't park on the sidewalks very much (at all). I don't think I'd park your scoot on a sidewalk. That said, I regularly see a GTS parked on the sidewalk on Congress in downtown. The only place I've ever gotten in "trouble" for being on the sidewalk is at the mall (in Fort Worth and here at BCSM). I've heard other scooterists say they've been ticketed for sidewalk parking downtown. When I've done it, I've been very close (within sight) of the scoot. It really depends on where I am and how it looks as to where I'll park.

Thanks I usually don't park on sidewalks especially downtown. Sometimes I will in front of a business that has a full parking lot like HEB. Just wondering if you had any problems with law enforcement. I could see at a mall why they would get all bent out of shape because there is the potential to have too many motorcycles clogging up walkways.

I think the mall was just the result of bored security guards, as I was always far from the door on sidewalks that were not used (you know the ones that surround buildings and are nowhere near doors). Well, I just don't do it any more, anyway.