|
|
Post by PCBGY6 on Mar 11, 2014 20:29:02 GMT -5
Over the last week I've made a few trips up and down the beach rd. it's spring break season here so we have a lot of young inexperienced people riding around. The other day a scooter was hit by a drunk driver (not scooters fault) and it ended in the worst way. We've already had a lot of wrecks by spring breakers this year being at fault. Tonight while out riding I saw a couple of young girls riding two up in 5 mph triffic and they could barely keep it up. They then started riding on the side of the road passig cars in the area a lot of people were walking. I predict it will end in a wreck for them before the week is over. I've seen hundreds of illegal u turns the last couple of years and witnessed a few wrecks. I hate to say it but I wish they would pass laws making it harder to rent scooters here for people under 21. Hopefully we don't see anymore bad wrecks here this year.
Sorry rant over!!!
Pcb
|
|
New Rider
Currently Offline
scooting in michigan...
Posts: 17 
Likes: 2
Joined: Mar 7, 2014 23:09:41 GMT -5
|
Post by lanternscooter on Mar 11, 2014 21:46:27 GMT -5
maybe they should make it so you have to pass a basic skills test before you can rent if youve not ridden 2 wheeled vehicles before. just a thought
|
|
|
|
Post by PCBGY6 on Mar 11, 2014 22:42:31 GMT -5
That would be great. If they can't handle two wheels then they have a second chance on a trike to pass a very basics skills test.
|
|
|
|
Post by rockynv on Mar 12, 2014 4:34:54 GMT -5
Unfortunately too many rental agencies advertise the sub 50cc scooters as a way to beat traffic and ride around others who have the right of way. All that is required is a valid US drivers license and the money/credit to cover the security deposit and rental.
It's not just scooter rentals and spring breakers. A little over a week ago I saw a new rider on a 800cc Sizuki Velousia attempt to make a lawfull u-turn from the turn around lane and stop across two lanes blocking 60 mph South bound traffic because he could not balance the 600 to 800 lb bike. He really did not have the skill to be riding over a 150cc scooter however there he was licensed and out in rush hour on a large heavy cruiser well past his riding abilities.
|
|
Sophomore Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 160
Likes: 15
Joined: Mar 6, 2014 13:13:44 GMT -5
|
Post by rockinez on Mar 12, 2014 13:37:54 GMT -5
In San Diego they rent 50cc 4 wheel scooters with a little beat up car body on them.
It gives the spring breakers just enough power to get in the way.
they are not really necessary, as most of he Spring Breakers knee walk around town anyway.
At least our Spring Break traffic is limited to one or two areas of town - Pacific Beach for the most part. Half of Arizona's under 30 population is in Pacific Beach on any given weekend during break.
|
|
|
|
Post by oldchopperguy on Mar 12, 2014 14:22:15 GMT -5
As Forrest Gump said... "Stupid is as stupid does..." or something like that.
Even though many laws and regulations are enacted with good intentions, it always boils down to the fact that in today's society, a frightening percentage of our population views stupidity as a virtue. And THAT extends right on up to our highest levels of "government" or, maybe more appropriately, our "lack of real government".
There is a mind-set today that says "if it feels good, DO it... and if it feels REALLY good, do it until it kills you, or somebody...". Obviously, spring-break typifies the WORST of this mentality (It's the time of year when otherwise intelligent students make a 110% effort to stay stoned, get pregnant, catch an STD, and in general, see to it that they ensure the ruination of the rest of their short lives...) But all it actually takes is ONE warm, sunny day to get students, and adults who should know better to go "full-goose-Bozo"... LOL!
Yesterday, it got up to 86 degrees, after a week of freezing temps. I got the scooter out and enjoyed doing my errands on TWO wheels for a change. EVERY vehicle without a top... cycles, scooters, street-rods, sports-cars, etc. was out, and MOST of the drivers were acting like 12-year-old kids full of booze and crystal meth.
In one afternoon, I saw countless near-misses... one collision between two MOTORCYCLES... (OUCH!)... two convertibles going the wrong way on the freeway, enough drunk drivers to fill the local jail, and one on-duty cop in a fully-marked cruiser drive blissfully through a red-light while texting...
I am actually old enough to remember when 99% of drivers (regardless of age) actually concentrated on DRIVING. "Spring fever" was NOT considered an excuse for wreaking murder and mayhem on the road. Today however, it is a different world. The first few sunny days bring out the 3-year-old mentality in folks "across the board". You can't just blame the kids anymore, and no amount of intelligent rules can overcome well-practiced, perfected stupidity. Nope. Won't happen... LOL!
Ya jus' gotta drive or ride "heads-up" while so many others' have their heads up... up their rear ends...
After the initial thrill of warm weather, and the hangovers wear off, most of the drivers will settle back into the reality of driving being more than a video game... Most... NOT all though, SO... "watch yer' six".
Ride SAFE and ride HEADS UP during Spring break...
Leo (keepin' my insurance up-to-date) in Texas
|
|
|
|
Post by PCBGY6 on Mar 12, 2014 21:41:23 GMT -5
Just read some info on a law they are talking about for the city. Making renters wear reflective vest and have some type of flag on the rental scooters. It didn't state If it would be for locals or not. Problem is..... This isn't going to make the drivers any better or safer.
|
|
|
|
Post by JerryScript on Mar 12, 2014 23:58:06 GMT -5
It's not just the renters, there are TONS of new 50cc riders out there, and many don't have the skills to ride a bicycle. Two weeks ago here in Vegas, someone took off from the c-store near my boss's house and hit the median as they were crossing to the other side. This person was thrown off the scooter right into the path of an oncoming car that could not avoid hitting the scooter rider. Unfortunately this one ended in death, but it serves as a good lesson for those who will take it to heart. Do not try to beat traffic on a 50cc scooter, or the traffic will end up beating you to death!
|
|
Sophomore Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 160
Likes: 15
Joined: Mar 6, 2014 13:13:44 GMT -5
|
Post by rockinez on Mar 13, 2014 0:45:13 GMT -5
It is a pretty cold fact of life in SoCal. The bad drivers get weeded out pretty quick. Unfortunately they often take out someone else at the time.
Bad motorcycle / scooter riders don't fair well in our traffic.
I don't see really dumb driving in SoCal like I did up north where the old locals are called "moss backs" because they move so slow.
Worse... Texas, where I learned to drive. "Take the middle of the road, they can pass you on either side". |
|
|
|
Post by PCBGY6 on Mar 13, 2014 2:42:22 GMT -5
I wish that would just rents trikes and scoupe coupes. I know that doesn't fix stupid but it takes the balance part out of it for the inexaperienced. Heck, most of these kids know days have never even rode a bicycle and just jump on like that know what's going on.
|
|
Sophomore Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 191
Likes: 5
Joined: Apr 21, 2013 10:39:10 GMT -5
|
Post by tarkus on Mar 13, 2014 4:59:29 GMT -5
I wish that would just rents trikes and scoupe coupes. I know that doesn't fix stupid but it takes the balance part out of it for the inexaperienced. Heck, most of these kids know days have never even rode a bicycle and just jump on like that know what's going on. IMO the problem here in Florida is the "no license of any kind required" for under 50 cc not the rentals themselves. |
|
|
|
Post by rockynv on Mar 13, 2014 12:09:48 GMT -5
Actually I believe that under 50cc you require a valid automibile drivers license it is only what are refered to as DUI scooters that can only go about 12 mph that have no license requirement whatsoever.
|
|
|
|
Post by PCBGY6 on Mar 13, 2014 13:28:16 GMT -5
Actually I believe that under 50cc you require a valid automibile drivers license it is only what are refered to as DUI scooters that can only go about 12 mph that have no license requirement whatsoever. I think the electric and pedal scooters are allowed 20-25 without any license and 49cc bicycles fall into this category. You are correct about having a DL for the standard 49cc rental. |
|
|
|
Post by rockynv on Mar 14, 2014 4:58:56 GMT -5
Been a while since I saw a DUI scooter and I didn't pay much attention since I don't overindulge never mind practice DUI. Liver swelling from being on heavy duty prescription pain killers for too long after a crippling accident and overuse of alcohol don't mix well. Now I just tough out the pain and don't drink more than an occasional beer, glass of wine or shot of hard liquor most often when I am at home and I am not going to be driving for the rest of the day.
|
|
Main Jet
