The Vespa is no longer the preserve of mods and Romans. It's the future of Sydney transport
Say Vespa and the mind goes to the rolling hills of Tuscany or the romantic ruins of Rome, scarf streaming behind you. Snap out of the daydream and return to Oz where ever-increasing petrol prices and the daily nightmare of Sydney traffic should be enough to entice anyone to hop on a scooter. But compared to chic Europeans, comparitively few Sydneysiders have got their leg over.
Elsewhere, scooter sales skyrocketed in 2005/2006 and stayed constant in 2007. Queensland had the highest sales followed by Victoria but NSW is lagging behind when it comes to travelling on two wheels, according to www.scootersales.com.au.
Sydney roads are accommodating to scooters since riders are allowed to travel in transit lanes, says Allen Drysdale, scooter owner and creator of the scootersales website. “I can take the bus lane from the Spit Bridge all the way to the city.”
But he understands the irritation his four-wheeled counterparts experience when they see scooters bypassing peak-hour gridlock in the bus lanes or weaving through traffic jams to get to the front of the queue.
Despite the 500 free spaces the council provides for moped parking, Drysdale says there is still not enough. “Unless you get to the city before 8:30am, you can’t park.”
Another reason for the scooter shortage here could be the strict licensing laws in NSW (see below). In Queensland and Western Australia only a car licence is required to ride small capacity scooters. However, Sydney City Council says it wants to encourage and support riding in the city and is devising a motorcycle and scooter policy that will come into effect in the next couple of months. The policy will address short stay
parking and other issues relating to road safety and scooter use.
“The council’s plan will make a difference to the scooter scene here. It will really take Sydney forward,” says Drysdale. “This is an industry that will continue to grow, slowly and steadily. We’re predicting that 2008 will be a great year for scooters in Australia.”
Vespa timeline
When World War II ended, Piaggio, one of Italy’s top aircraft manufacturers, realised redundancy was around the corner. So they racked their brains to get their plants going again. The history of the Vespa scooter starts here...
1945 Prototype nicknamed “Paperino” (Italian name for Donald Duck) because of its strange shape.
1946 Corradino D’Ascanio (responsible for the first modern helicopter) designs Vespa (Italian for wasp). Vespa 98 released, engine located at the rear, all steel frame and front suspension.
1951 The first Vespa is sold in Australia.
1953 Vespas produced in 13 countries and marketed in 114. More than 50,000 Vespa club members around the world.
1955 Piaggio’s “most popular, imitated and remembered model”, the Vespa 150GS is released. It has a top speed of 100km/h.
1956 One millionth Vespa is blessed by the Archbishop of Florence as it rolls off the line
1963 Vespa 50 introduced, low capacity scooter exempt from registration and need for driver’s licence
1970 Vespa #4,000,000 leaves production line
1977 Debut of P250X, a complete body rework still used today.
1988 10 millionth Vespa produced.
1996 New generation Vespa ET4 125 marks 50th anniversary. First four-stroke, complete with front disc brake and automatic CTV gear-box.
For more information, go to www.piaggio.com.au
Slow down Evel Knievel – you need to get street legal first
To ride a scooter in NSW you must first obtain a motorcycle licence. You’ll have to attend the RTA pre-learners course ($72), held over two days (3.5 hours each day). Motorcycles, helmets and gloves are provided. The course is designed for people with no motorcycle riding experience however it will require a level of balance, coordination and concentration.If you can ride a bicycle and drive a manual car you’ll have no worries.
On successful completion of the course you will be issued with a pre-learner certificate of competence, which you should take to your nearest motor registry with your ID and a completed application form. Pass the eye test, pay the licence fee and you’ll be issued with a learner rider’s licence valid for 12 months.
When you’ve had your learner’s licence for three months you’ll be able to attend the pre-provisional course ($108). Once you have held your provisional licence for 12 months you will be eligible to upgrade to a full licence.
For more information on training centres, licencing fees and to download application forms: www.rta.nsw.gov.au.
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