Modern Vespa

No more free parking

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/07/21/scooter_law_revving_up_worry/?p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed3

Haha I beat you by like 20 seconds. It sucks for the scooter community though... I know 50cc aren't popular on this forum but it is really the best way to get around Boston, and that has been largely due to the ease of parking. This is all a scheme by the city to make a buck, really.

I know, that why I have a 50cc Vino, and C3.

Need to sell them quickly

They will soon become useless

I'm wondering if that is the case... if they've already been registered as a moped and the same moped registration process is in effect then they might not bother you about it. Might affect dealers more than current riders. Thoughts?

Judging by the inventory at Herb Chambers Vespa, they will definitely suffer.
They have about 8/10 scooters that are either LX50, S50, Fly50.

I dont know why our government is trying to kill jobs, and businesses.

The thing is, yeah they go above 30...

...whoopdedoo.

A scoot going 35 is not a menace to society, and what, may I ask, does that have to do with parking? Hm? My P200 will hit 65 mph, but it's a higher theft risk than a moped because it only weighs 225 lbs and I can't chain the bleeping thing up when it is in a car parking space.


P.S. Jess, no worries, we don't need two threads for the, like 3 MVers from Boston

This whole parking thing sucks for Bostonians, but this part caught my eye in the article The law in Virginia is basically the same, except it is 35 mph max. speed., which realistically is dumb as all unrestricted 50cc scooters are capable of speeds greater than 35mph.

When I got my Fly 50, I didn't register it, but a few weeks back I was stopped by a County Sheriff. He was very nice and didn't give me a ticket, but did tell me that I had to ride below 35mph or get a tag for it. If I didn't get it registered the next time he caught me going over 35mph I would get a ticket.

So off I went to the DMV who at first refused to sell me a tag because "you don't need one for an engine of 50cc or below". It wasn't until I produced a printout from their own website showing them that if it were capable of going more than 35mph it needed to be registered and have tags on it. Then of course I had to get an inspection sticker, because it now has a tag.

Not a lot out of pocket costs quite honestly, but at least I am fireproof as far as the law is concerned. The point of all this is to prove that most of the people charged with enforcing regulations don't know what the laws are. The cop did know, but the DMV said completely the opposite until I showed them their own regulations.

With the increased number of 50cc scooters buzzing around and people skirting the regulations, I bet this will be changing in a lot of states in the near future.

We actually have to register "legitimate" mopeds here. Get a sticker and everything by presenting the VIN and paying a fee. Boston just wants to make it so there are fewer moped registrations and more plated vehicles to pay for parking (in a city where there is none ). And what is absurd about all of it, as I say, is whether a scoot is a "moped" or not, whatever its SPEED is, has no relevance to how it can park, and what safe parking needs it has.

ET4s are the exact same size as my ET2 (which is, evidently, no longer a moped either ), and only weigh ~10 pounds more. It's a big theft risk parking them on the street without any way to anchor them. I've had the misfortune to lose a scoot, as have, I am sure, countless others in this city. At the time it was because one particular ignorant cop didn't think mopeds could be parked on the sidewalk (right outside my apartment no less). I argued with him, but he just threatened me with having it towed. So I parked it on the street, where I couldn't chain it, and within a day it was gone. Yet, when I went to the police they looked me in the eye and said "you'll never see it again. we almost never find them." By some crazy chance they DID find it... after 3 years, and it was a completely trashed machine. Same thing could happen to my ET2 now. And the 50s don't have immobilizers even.

I just spoke to two people in my office with 50cc scooters.
They said they will get rid of them.

If they cant park on the side walk, then their scoots will probably get stolen on the street (nothing to lock it up to), or will probably get hit by a parking car/suv. The whole reason they are so popular is that they are easy to park where there is virtually no parking safely on the street.

the husband and i are planning a move to boston and this article made me both angry and sad. not only is it a ploy for the city to get more money but it's a slap in the face to people who prefer alternative transportation. booo on boston!

denver mv'ers, expect to see my scoot for sale before year's end.

Hey guys, I am recent scooter owner. I commute to the financial district from Brookline as much as I can, and I am really disappointed about this change. If I somehow limit my scooter to 30mph and it is legally recognized then I should be able to continue parking on the sidewalks right?

Even if you could do that, You'll be fighting ignorant meter maids/traffic court so you don't have to pay the fines.....

That is what it looks like. I am fortunate that the owners manual with my scoot indicates that it is a 25mph restricted model. I can't honestly say I've noticed any such restriction the speed... but I have some paperwork to show when I'm having the inevitable argument at the RMV

hmmm, but if it is still legally recognized as a moped, I will still only have the registration sticker, not a license plate.

As a side note, I saw someone on the Boston globe article recommend going to the mayors dinner thing at Tia's in Boston on july 28th. I will probably go to show support for scooterists in Boston against this terrible change!

I believe a complaint needs to be written

My girlfriend suggested as a protest we leave particularly early in the morning, beat cars to the meters, and park. One scoot to a spot, just like the city wants See how great their idea seems when none of the cars can find a spot.

If you, or someone in Boston coordinates this, I can get a group of CT scooterists to ride up and support you. It would be fun to make a political statement!

Please call the Governor's office.
They need to be inundated with calls.

Even if you don't live in MA (you don't need to leave a name or address)

617-725-4000

This looks important for the city as well:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/176/petition-for-parking-for-scooters-and-motorcycles

It seems to me that there are two issues here and that they should be separated by the MA State Legislature.

First, is requiring all motorized vehicles to be registered.

Second, is parking.

I don't think the first issue is a major problem with most scooterists. I'm sure they would comply with registering their scooters and paying the appropriate registration fees.

The second issue is the big problem. Due to the limited parking spots available in Boston, and the laws that require all vehicles to park parallel with the curb, and the fact that motorcycles/scooters can not park in most parking structures because of the inability of the gates to recognize smaller vehicles; legally parking registered scooters in Boston is going to create stress on an already stressed system.

I can understand that people don't want to allow scooter parking on the sidewalks, however the time has come for Boston and MA to come up with an appropriate solution to the problem of motorcycle/scooter parking.

This would be a great issue for motorcyclists and scooterists to unite and show solidarity in creating awareness about the problem and helping the elected officials to come up with an appropriate solution. There are other cities around the world who have come up with workable solutions and Boston has the ability to learn quickly and implement these solutions to ease the stress on everyone.

As a former MA resident and someone who has a scooter riding daughter in Boston, I would be happy to support Boston riders in their efforts.

I wouldn't sell the scooters yet until you see what happens. IMHO. I do also agree with they want cash and they need to get better parking for 2 wheeled bikes and scooters. I'll give the number a call for you guys. I'm from the NY/MA border and lived there a few times. Good luck

you can send an email to the governor through the state's web site at: http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=gov3utilities&sid=Agov3&U=Agov3_contact_us

I just sent mine.

honestly is anyone really surprized this is happening in Mass. not even worth commenting on

i signed the petition and sent the governor and mayor emails. let's hope they're listening.

I just did what WKRP did. Good luck you guys. Used my Cheshire address.

I just called too, Flood them with calls.

Wayne B

I just sent our governor this message.

I read in the Globe today about small, 50cc or less, scooters being reclassified so they need a plate, annual inspection and will be required to park in an automobile parking space. Scooters are the fastest growing segment of the powered two wheel transportation market. They provide extremely high gas mileage; mine gets a hundred miles per gallon, and take up little space. Traditionally they are allowed to park out of the way on sidewalks where they can be chained like a bicycle to prevent theft. Requiring plates and making riders park in car slots takes up more of our finite parking in urban areas and does not allow them to be secured.

The new regs will just make it more difficult for students and others who prefer smaller less polluting transportation to get around. I would think that the governor's office would rather be encouraging efficient transportation rather than discouraging ownership of these small scooters.
I don't mind having insurance and even inspections but this looks like a badly conceived bit of governance by the MA RMV. Today's 50cc scooters are a bit faster than the old days but perhaps we should just strike the provision that says they cannot go faster than 30 MPH rather than developing a complex rule that is difficult to conform to in urban areas.

Thanks for your attention to my concern.

Best Regards,

Santiago - Real name given (D) Maynard

This issue is on the governor's web site:

http://devalpatrick.com/issue.php?issue_id=7958588


We really need you're help to get this thing overturned or get designated MC/Scooter parking on the street.

Thanks for helping,
Dani

Also please sign: http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/nonewMAscooterlaw#signpetition

I like Judy in Honolulu tried to log on and help...but I'm at a disadvantage cause I don't have a "local" address...I'll try an to the petition route...O.K. got on the petition (am 198 of the 1000 goal)...gotta work on getting the message out!

Big deal, put a plate on it and park it on the street. our 50cc's had to adjust to that 3 years ago here in Chicago too and we are still alive and kicking.

-1

I'm sure the 50cc riders can survive. But a big issue is theft, and getting knocked over by a parking car/suv.

My 150 was knocked over twice when it was parked on the street.

I know Boston drivers are at best "bad drivers" becasue the method of parallel parking is

Step 1: backup until you hit something
Step 2: Shift into Drive (or 1st) until you hit something again.
Step 3: open the door into oncoming traffic
Step 4: never check to see if you damaged the car in front of you or behind you.


And the big issue here is lobbying for MC/Scooter parking. Of which there is none.

-Dani

Even if you don't live in MA (you don't need to leave a name or address)

617-725-4000

Ever had one stolen? I have because it was parked on the street and couldn't be chained, and the ET I bought as a replacement has been tipped, vandalized, broken ignition, and moved. Street parking is not safe for a ~200 pound scooter in Boston. Definitely not without ground anchors.

TB before i lived here there was this cool victorian house with 8 bedrooms and a pool on 7 acres. I had put my stuff in storage and had to tie up some medical stuff that took 1 1/2 yrs to get ironed out So i moved there. I still get junk mail there and i go crash there when i'm back on the mainland since the owner and i are friends plus my best friend still lives there. If you want i can give you the address since i know you's love the place

[quote="judy"]TB before i lived here there was this cool victorian house with 8 bedrooms and a pool on 7 acres. I had put my stuff in storage and had to tie up some medical stuff that took 1 1/2 yrs to get ironed out So i moved there. I still get junk mail there and i go crash there when i'm back on the mainland since the owner and i are friends plus my best friend still lives there. If you want i can give you the address since i know you's love the place [quote]

No problem I was able to get on the petition list 198 or the 1000 goal...if anything else let us know and will try to help!

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/07/scooter_riders.html
"today, Boston Transportation Department Commissioner Tom Tinlin said his department will not actively pursue violators unless they are parking obtrusively or blocking handicapped access."

Even so, it still leaves a lot of issues unresolved. Most important of which is parking? And...ticketing!

Can they park on the sidewalk or not?
If they comply with the law and get their plates and then park on the sidewalk will they now be ticketed?

It's nice to say they won't crack down too hard, but the issues remain for both scooterists and motorcyclists.

I love politics! It's amazing how it works!

Everyone in Boston who typically rides a scooter, but also operates a car, should all drive their cars on the first day of the enactment of this law in order to stress the street and parking infrastructure above and beyond what it normally can handle ... then perhaps the govies would see the advantage on an overworked transport system of having some of the populace using scooters.

Has anybody else heard the rumors of a scooter meet up thursday morning? I heard something about 7AM, lower common, taking up parking spots. I'm very tempted to show up just to see what will happen

Haven't heard anything.
We should organize it on a Sunday when the spots are full of cars on Newberry St.