Electric Scooter Has Environmental Benefits, Gas Savings and Star Appeal

by Alan Pollock

            The Cape Cod Chronicle is conducting a summer-long experiment with a 100-percent electric scooter, loaned to us by the manufacturer, Vectrix, Inc.  This is the third  in a series of three articles. 

            CHATHAM — If commuting 50 miles for less than $1 without any tailpipe emissions doesn’t get your attention, maybe this will.  Sir Richard Branson rode a Vectrix electric scooter.  And Leonardo DiCaprio and Jay Leno each own one.  But while fame is fleeting, the manufacturers of the 100-percent electric scooter say the Vectrix is the wave of the future. 

            With a carbon footprint that’s just a fraction of a gasoline-powered car or scooter, the Vectrix is about as friendly to the earth as any powered vehicle on the road.  When the scooter’s nickel metal hydride batteries are exhausted, plug the power cord into any household outlet, and in a few hours, the bike’s ready to go again.  With this kind of carbon savings, and since the scooter is almost entirely recyclable, it wouldn’t be hard to find environmentally-minded people who like the idea.      

Bob Denn has been riding motorcycles for 40 years.  He’s impressed by the Vectrix’ power and handling.   ALAN POLLOCK PHOTO

      But how does the scooter measure up on the road?  The Chronicle has been test-driving a Vectrix since the beginning of June, and we’re getting the hang of it.  But since it’s our first experience on a motorcycle, we decided to get the opinions of local motorcycle riders.

            Assistant Harbormaster Wayne Julin is a longtime biker.  He rides a Harley, and takes part in regular regional and national bike shows.  And he was glad to take the Vectrix for a quick spin.

            “This thing is fun,” he said.  “And it’s definitely the wave of the future.”  Julin said the scooter handles well, and has a weight that’s comparable to a regular motorcycle.  Would he ride the Vectrix scooter with his Harley friends?

            “No way,” he laughed.  “It needs to be black, and there needs to be a little more chrome.”

            Bob Denn of Cape Fishermen’s Supply is an avid cyclist, and is a regular fixture around town on his 33-year-old Honda 500. He was one of the volunteers to ride a Vectrix scooter in Chatham’s Fourth of July parade.

            “It’s an easy motorcycle to ride,” he said.  “And for a scooter, it has excellent power.”  Though it’s tough learning not to shift—the Vectrix has a no-shift planetary gear drive—it is very stable owing to its low center of gravity.  It would be an excellent choice for commuters, Denn said.

            “And for stop-and-go traffic, it’s the best motorcycle I ever rode,” he said.  The maintenance on the scooter would probably be a lot simpler than on a regular motorcycle, Denn added.

            Asked to try out the Vectrix, Chatham Police Officer Lou Malzone, one of the department’s motorcycle officers, had his reservations.

            “The first thing you think of when you see a scooter is, it’s underpowered,” Malzone said.  But the Vectrix’ power and acceleration impressed him, as did the adequate tire size and brakes.  “It’s very roadworthy,” Malzone said.

            He was particularly impressed by the scooter’s regenerative brakes, which slow the scooter by engaging the motor like a generator, charging the batteries.  “That’s a nice little feature,” he said.  “I didn’t touch either the front or rear brake.”

            With gas prices as high as they are, more people are trying out motorcycles, or digging out the ones that have been collecting dust in the garage, according to Rick Gleason of the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association.

            “It seems like we’re seeing it now, though there are no facts to back that up,” he said.  “It’s something to be very excited about, more people getting into motorcycling.”  But the key for all riders is safety training, Gleason said.  Every motorcyclist should attend a certified rider training class, he stressed.  Though he’s never tried a Vectrix scooter, Gleason said it’s encouraging to hear it can travel at highway speeds, since one of the few defenses motorcyclists have in traffic is their ability to zip out of the way of trouble. 

            Though the association is officially advocating for tighter noise controls for motorcycles, there are many motorcyclists who feel that reasonably loud bikes help alert other drivers to their presence, helping avoid surprises on the road.  For a scooter that sounds more like a hairdryer than a motorcycle, that might be a drawback, Gleason noted. 

            When it comes to safety, Malzone agreed that a rider education program is a must for all new motorcyclists.  Then, wear a good helmet and proper apparel, including footwear.    New riders need to be hyper-aware of their surroundings, and anticipate every possible threat from any direction.

            “You can never assume that the other person sees you,” he said.  Sticking to the speed limit is one way to make sure you’ve got enough time to react to hazards, Malzone said.  New riders also need to remember that they’re subject to the same laws that apply to four-wheeled vehicles.  That means staying in line in traffic and passing only when it’s legal to do so.

            “You’ve got to follow the rules of the road,” he said.

            Malzone said there’s a mental component to safe riding, too.  It’s best not to get on a scooter or motorcycle if you’ve got too much on your mind, since it’s so important to be alert, he said.

            “If you’re in a rush, take your car,” Malzone said.  Safe motorcycle riding means thinking solely about the road.  “I think that’s why a lot of people enjoy riding.”

            Some say a huge surge in popularity for the Vectrix or other two-wheelers might spell an influx of inexperienced riders on the road.  But Gleason said more motorcycles on the road will ultimately make conditions safer for motorcyclists.

            “I think it’s a good trend,” he said.  “The more bikes are out on the road, the more accustomed people will be to them.”