Ride to Work: June 20, 2011

I probably don't need to tell you that you will save gas by riding your scooter to work rather than driving a car. The fuel-efficiency of a scooter is on everyone's mind right now. So it's even a better reason to participate in Ride to Work Day.

For the 2007 Ride to Work Day, I published some ideas on how to make the event a community-building and awareness event like the Bike to Work Day has become. These ideas bear repeating:

• Contact local scooter & motorcycle shops to see if they would host a stop. Most people commute in the early morning hours, so it may be a tough sell to get the store to be available from 6-9am, but its worth it.
• Get a local grocery store on board to supply the snacks. I know from experience that Whole Foods Markets are pro-alternative transport and you may be able to get them to help out like many of them do for Bike to Work day.
• Contact the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and see if they can send you information on safe riding, helmet fitting etc.
• Find local clubs that may be interested in manning the booth to promote their club or perhaps just leave information on their club.
• Send a press release to the local news about the event and list any stations that you have. Do this at least 4 weeks in advance for newspapers and 2 weeks in advance for broadcast outlets.
• Get sponsors to donate product for a raffle. Get participants to sign up and then add them to an email list (with their permission of course) to keep them updated on future events. 
• Organize an after work "Happy Hour" where participants meet up for dinner or snacks and share their RTW stories. Don't forget to dissuade drinking & driving!

If you participate in Ride to Work Day, share your photos on our Facebook page. 

Ride to Work Day is TODAY!

Let me start this post out by saying that I will not be riding to work today. Unfortunately, I am sick with a chest cold that has kept me down for 2 days. Perhaps I will ride to the doctor's office, instead?

Rid to Work Day is to encourage motorcycle/scooter rider to use their bikes not just for leisure, but also for utilitarian reasons like commuting to work. Since most people live a relatively close distance to work,  it can be a quick trip that is not only fun, but saves gas, reduces traffic congestion and makes you look cool. [I added that last part. I don't think it is in the official RTW propaganda.]

My commute is about 47 miles on the freeway each way, which makes taking my P200 (or my VBB) impossible unless I want to leave ultra-early (I don't) or just arrive late with numb hands (ibid). So, my plan was to take the Scoot! Yamaha TMAX which is "TheMAX" in most things. It's big, heavy, powerful and can pass cars alarmingly well. It also pays no attention to grooved pavement, which is a complete buzz kill on my 10" and 8" wheeled vintage Vespas. Combine grooved pavement with gusty wind and you have my idea of a crappy ride. So, Josh made sure we had new tires just in time for Ride to Work and I made sure to get sick just in time (although it was totally unintentional).

Any of you riding to work today? What are you riding? How far are you riding? Are you connecting with any other riders, perhaps for an after-work pitcher of root beer?

Blog post soundtrack: "Elemental" by The Limp TwinsFrom Beyond the Groove

Ride to Work Day: Monday, June 21st, 2010

If you Ride to Work on the official day (or any other day) let us know! Send us a photo of you on your commute and include some info such as your name, city/state, how far you commute each way, and the reasons why you commute by scoot. You might also include any tips that others can follow to make commuting easier. Submit your comments here and select Letters to the Editor. They may end up in a future issue of Scoot!.

Happy International Female Ride Day!

Did you know that the first Friday in May is International Female Ride Day? If not, don't be ashamed. Its a relatively new event created in 2007 for Canadian riders by Motoress, a website encouraging women to ride. The event has gained momentum each year, especially with the introduction of the United States and some European countries. Now with social media platforms exploding the group has used Facebook to spread the word.

The goal of the event is simple: "Just Ride."  So ladies, On Your Bike!

Reminder--Ride to Work Day 6-15

Recently, I posted about Ride to Work day. Well, it is almost upon us, so check out the release just issued by RTW:


Motorcycle and scooter riders' 18th annual commuting day is this coming Monday, June 15th. Participation is estimated to triple the number of riders on the road. Motorcycle and scooter groups and organizations actively encourage riders to commute by cycle on this day.

Two wheeled commuters of all ages, and from all walks of life seek employer support for this form of transportation and increased public and government awareness of the positive value of riding.

More motorcycles and scooters in the mix of vehicles makes urban parking easier and traffic flow better, according to Ride to Work, a non-profit advocacy organization. Studies have also shown that across the same distances, the average cycle or scooter rider will reach their destinations in less time than automobile drivers. Many motorcycles and scooters also consume less resources per mile than automobiles.

"Riding to work on this day is fun and shows the positive value of motorcycling. For many people, riding is a socially responsible form of mobility that saves energy, helps the environment and provides a broad range of other public benefits," stated Andy Goldfine, this year's event organizer.

Contact Ride to Work Day, a 501 c4 nonprofit organization, at:
POB 1072, Proctor, Minnesota, 55810 USA

UPDATE: I messed up and put 8/15 but it is really June 15. I goofed!

Ride to Work: Monday June 15

This year, international Ride to Work Day happens on Monday, June 15th. If you have never ridden your scooter to work, then this is the perfect time to join other who will be doing so. Since my workplace is about 50 miles away. I'll be riding to the train station instead of driving.

There are some ways that you can make Ride to Work day more fun, memorable and visible in the minds of your community:

* Host a Ride to Work stop: Just like Bike to Work day promoters do, sponsor a stop where motorcyclist/scooterists can stop by for some coffee or a snack. This is a great way for scooter shops and clubs to meet new riders, hand out materials, an create a media-friendly event to report.

* Meet up with riders for breakfast, lunch or dinner: If you know other participants nearby, why not meet earlier for breakfast at a local diner, or coordinate a lunch or after-work get together. Share your riding experiences and enjoy other riders' company.

You can also download fliers and handouts to giveaway from the official Ride to Work site.

If you Ride to Work for the first (or millionth) time, send me a photo from the day.

Blog entry soundtrack: "Up All Night" by Booomtown Rats

Upcoming Event: Ride to Work Day 6/15

Ride to Work Day will soon be upon us. Are you ready? With the recent time change and the improving weather, moto-commuting is becoming more of a reality for Americans.

With a little planning and some determination you can overcome the routine car drive to work and enjoy a fun scooter ride. While it my not work for everyone, I encourage you to try it and suggest it to your friends.

The Ride to Work site has lots of resource to help including recruitment materials, web banners, and other literature. Last year's materials used a scooter, so this year they are back to motorcycles.

Blog entry soundtrack: "Ex Lion Tamer" by Wire..."Stay glued to your T.V. set..."

Ride to Work Day 2008!

I rode today to the train station so that I could make the 46-mile trip to my office. So, I didn't scoot the whole way, but that would have taken me about an hour & 50 minutes one way. Coincidentally, there was a problem with the train tracks which backed up all of the trains, thus my train trip took 2 HOURS! I shoulda ridden the whole way!


Self portrait while riding to train station....


Sneaky parking spot at train station. Cars gotta pay $2 per day, but I get to park for free. Mwah-hah-hah-ha!



Well, some cars try to be sneaky, too. This person had a parking permit. I would have been mad if they took up my whole scooter space, but I still got mine. :)

My commute to the train is pretty easy. I got a PacSafe helmet bag and store my gloves and jacket under the seat and I'm ready to go!

Did you Ride to Work today? If so, send leave a comment or send me a pic.

Reminder: Ride to Work Day Wednesday, July 16

Don't forget that Ride to Work Day is next Wednesday, July 6th. I'll be riding to the train stations at least. 60 miles on the freeway is a bit much for a P200, but I can certainly ride to the train station, get my car off the road and take up less space in the parking lot.

For those of you who ride, send me a photo of you with your bike from that day and let me know what you thought of it. If it was your first time, how did it go? Do you think you might be able to ride more often than drive? For those who ride already, what do you enjoy most about riding to work? Got any tips for new commuters? Send me your feedback and I'll share it with blog readers.

Reminder: Ride to Work Day Wednesday, July 16

Just a reminder that Wednesday July 16 is Ride to Work Day! If you have never ridden your scooter to work, why not give it a try? You'll cut down on traffic, reduce emissions and have a fun time doing it. The weather should be great in most parts of the US, so take advantage of the special date to try it out.

Ride to Work--- July 16

With gas prices going through the roof, this year's Ride to Work is of even more importance. Many ride to work for pleasure, for ease of commute, for better parking. This year, we're seeing more and more people riding for fuel economy. Welcome them into the fold of two-wheels. ;)

While I take the train to work, I will be riding to the train station. More and more folks are taking public transportation which puts a strain on the parking lots for trains, light rails and such. I can park my scooter in small nooks in the lot and arrive later than I would if I had to drive. Overall, I'll be doing my part to reduce congestion, pollution while increasing the pleasure of the commute. Join me!

If you've never ridden to work before, take July 16th as a chance to try it for yourself. And if you want to enlist others to join you, go to the Ride to Work site and get more info on how to make it more of an event in your area.

International Female Ride Day- TODAY

International Female Ride Day is in its second year. It's fairly simple, juts like other Ride to Work Days, all the organizers ask is for women to ride their motorcycles/scooters. I can get behind that! I have to go to San Francisco, and riding the pocked, grooved freeways for 50 miles isn't my idea of a relaxing ride. However, I will be riding to the train station, and ' rally Classico Moto Italia starts tonight, so I'll be doing a lot more raiding afterwards.

From the site....

International Female Ride Day a synchronized day worldwide where women motorcycle riders "JUST RIDE" -- demonstrating their enjoyment and in most cases, passion for motorcycle riding. The campaign was created with the aim of highlighting the number of women who ride and building female rider awareness -- encouraging other women to take up the activity. The event places a spotlight on the female rider and celebrates the countless numbers who do--riders new to the activity or those who have had the pleasure all their lives!

Introduced last year, FEMALE RIDE DAYS' first step was as a National event with the intention to build globally. The success in 2007 made it easy in 2008 to move on to making it International!

And it was the women who participated that made this an easy transition--female riders and clubs throughout North America and Europe spontaneously joined in upon news of the campaign. As each year goes by FEMALE RIDE DAY will without a doubt continue to expand; enjoyed by more and more women worldwide as they claim the day and become involved in one of the greatest pleasures in life—motorcycling.
FEMALE RIDE DAY is for women who ride motorcycles no matter what form, or style--no matter the age, or experience. Motorcycles of all makes and capacities–scooters, sport bikes, dirt bikes or ATV’s.

The campaign’s slogan of "JUST RIDE" is a simple request of women riders and is by this method female rider awareness is created and enjoyed. It's concept is not attached to a charity, nor is it a fundraiser or for that fact, a controlled event--riders are free to make the day entirely as they so wish. Women are invited to join in, enjoy the camaraderie Internationally and be on their motorcycle on the first Friday each May -- Friday 2 May 2008.

Ride to Work Day

Did you ride to work today? I did. Although my 5-mile commute isn't an endurance test, it did rain today (in California?!?) but I managed to miss it. Not only is it more fun to ride to work, it is a great way to conserve fuel, reduce emissions and take up less space overall. I even did some grocery shopping and loaded up a big canvas tote bag with goodies from Whole Foods for the week ahead. The oil change indicator on the SYM I am using is about to tell me that an oil change is imminent. I also need to learn how to add coolant as I am not used to new-fangled things such as water-cooling, disc brakes and gas gauges on a scooter! :)

I enjoyed the ride so much that instead of calling my chiropractor for an appointment, I just dropped by to say hello. If I had been in a car, I probably would have just called him from my cell.

Well, I'm rabling about things that aren't that significant, so let me just say that I am glad I rode to work today and hope you did, too.

Rock Your Scooter Trips

When I saw Lifepop's cool audio accessory bags for iPod and other MP3 players the first thing I thought was, "Cool! Perfect for scooter picnics and events!" The next thing I thought was, "How do I get one?" That being said I think these bags would be great for weekend scooter jaunts when you want some tunes at your destination, but you don't have a built-in stereo. They have several models which are both baggage and stereos at the same time.

The Groovemaster ($75)is a messenger bag with speakers and an MP3 player interface. It runs on 4 AA batteries. The Rocksteady Gym Bag ($130) is a bit steeper but a funky retro Adidas cool and comes in some flashy colors, but the black is my favorite.


The ChillOut ($50)is a combo cooler/AM&FM radio with aux hookups. This would be perfect for strapping to a rear rack/carrier and taking to the beach or park.

The auxiliary jacks for these bags work with iPods, Zunes and even PSP systems. So go forth and rock your scoot!

Ride to Work Day- July 16

I just helped out with the annual Bike to Work day by hosting an Energizer Station for bicyclists. It got me thinking about the upcoming Ride to Work Day for motorcyclists/scooterists. Considering gas might be at a high point during the midsts of summer, I think this is a great opportunity to highlight the benefits of riding scooters. We can take a lesson from Bike to Work in that they make it a fun and supportive event. The energizer stations have literature, maps, and rider support information, as well as tasty snacks. It supports community and makes people feel welcome to something they don't often do. While Ride to Work doesn't quite have that infrastructure, I think it would be great if we could do something similar in tons across the US.

How can you encourage scooters & motorcycles to commute on RTW Day? Here's some ideas:

Contact local scooter & motorcycle shops to see if they would host a stop. Most people commute in the early morning hours, so it may be a tough sell to get the store to be available from 6-9am, but its worth it.

Get a local grocery store on board to supply the snacks. I know from experience that Whole Foods Markets are pro-alternative transport and you may be able to get them to help out.

Contact the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and see if they can send you information on safe riding, helmet fitting etc.

Find local clubs that may be interested in manning the booth to promote their clubs or perhaps just leave information on their club.

Send a press release to the local news about the event and list any stations that you have. Do this at least 4 weeks in advance for newspapers and 2 weeks in advance for broadcast outlets.

Get sponsors to donate product for a raffle. Get participants to sign up and then add them to an email list (with their permission of course) to keep them updated on future events.

If you decide to try a Ride to Work day in you area let me know how it goes.