Modern Vespa

DH and i are moving to boston from very-scooter-friendly denver in a few months and i'm trying to decide if i'm going to bring scootie puff junior along.

with all the news about the state's new registration laws and parking problems, i'm more than a little wary about the hassle of keeping her. i won't park her a meter and risk being stolen. but i'd hate to have to pay a fine to park on the sidewalk.

i don't really care about the registration piece but what do you guys think about parking in town?

Well, let me start by saying even if the law goes into full swing it is still a great town to own a scooter in. In fact, I ditched my VERY beloved car not long after moving here in favor of the Vespa, because driving a car here BLOWSSSS. It's not just about the parking bonuses after all, but also getting some remote pleasure out of commuting, despite the traffic

Now onto the specific issue -
We have been holding protests about the parking issue, and the transportation commissioner came to speak with us about it. We are having talks with him, and he is tossing around ideas such as dividing car spaces into multiple motorcycle/scooter spots and implanting ground anchors for security when parking there. We are also pushing for off-street parking to be made available based on vehicle size, rather than engine size, because as I've argued before, my P200 is actually a fair bit SMALLER than my 50cc ET2. So stuff is in the works, and were you to come I would encourage you to sign the petitions and such as well.

In the meantime, the city of Boston has said something along these lines: "While the city of Boston is committed to upholding the laws of this state, it has become apparent that we do not have the parking space to support mandated on-street parking for the scooters. Therefore we have instructed the parking officials to refrain from issuing any tickets until this issue has been resolved, unless the scooter is parked in a dangerous fashion or an obstructive manner"

So... at the moment, things are at a standstill. But for an indefinite period there won't be ticketing for sidewalk parking, and I think it is very likely that we will see secure on-street parking in the future even if we don't win the bid to continue parking on the sidewalk.

I would encourage you to stick with the scoot if you truly enjoy riding it as much as I do mine. I think a satisfactory solution will be found. If not, you would at least be able to use it for probably another year before needing to make tougher choices about whether you want to keep it or not.

At any rate, let me wish you a preliminary welcome! We could try to get the handful of MVers who live in the area to go for a ride when you come (that is if you keep the scoot).

Let me know if you have any more questions about the state of affairs with the scooter parking

xantufrog,

thank you so much for this update! i would hate to give up the scoot so this gives me a bit of hope that a middle ground can be reached. after a week of walking and riding the T with little difficulty, i think we've already decided to sell our car. our apartment will be never near south station, too.

we're probably moving late september/early october so i have a few more weeks to decide whether to keep the scoot or not. thanks again and keep me posted.

I grew up in Boston, Medford actually (about 7 miles north of Boston). I first learned to ride there and rode EVERYWHERE. I always had a fantastic time. THere's some great riding in West Medford, Winchester, Medford woods, Stoneham, Swampscot(Sp?), .... The weather can be iffy sometimes but I remember riding in the snow. I once rode to northern NH in November - stuffed my clothes with newspaper and just tuffed it out. I rarely went south of Boston and not into Boston very often (I was 17/18/19). Go visit the fire tower for me in the Medford woods. The view of Boston is unparalleled. I don't know how long the tower has been there but my mother grew up in the same house I did (in the 1940's) and it there and old then. My brother who became a geologist was always facinated by the rolling hills and spent years studying the underlying substructure of Boston. The view from the tower realy shows the geoscape.

I can't speak for the theft risk to scooters but its likely safer outside of Boston. PLEEEEZE be careful driving - drivers aren't as careful there.
Miguel

thanks, miguel!

i don't ride in the relatively mild denver winters so i doubt i'll be on it much in boston this winter. i'll ride if the roads are dry. never in the snow. i'm a bit of a pansy that way, i guess. :D

It's been 10 years since I lived there, and I didn't have a scoot, but I did bicycle everywhere. Boston itself may test your mettle, but it is all so compact that you can get out of the city in a jiffy and be on wonderful rolling, winding roads. The western suburbs and North Shore were my favorites. Bring your scoot, and park it for the winter.

i'd love to keep her but the question is WHERE to park it, now and through the winter.

Look on Craigslist for parking. I rent garage space from a neighbor.

I just park mine outside behind my apartment building. Cover it up good and weather it... since 2005 it's still in great shape.

good idea oOdanoOo. i hadn't thought of that. thanks!

xantufrog, i don't have an option like that in the new digs. we'll be living downtown.