On the coolness scale, scooters probably rank right above wearing Bermuda shorts with dark socks and sandals in the eyes of most enthusiasts. “Real men ride motorcycles” is probably the mantra you’ve heard from the devotees of two-wheeled transport. Scooters, on the other hand, are for eccentric “mods” or other counter-cultural oddballs that revel in dancing to the beat of their own drummer, right?

On the coolness scale, scooters probably rank right above wearing Bermuda shorts with dark socks and sandals in the eyes of most enthusiasts. “Real men ride motorcycles” is probably the mantra you’ve heard from the devotees of two-wheeled transport. Scooters, on the other hand, are for eccentric “mods” or other counter-cultural oddballs that revel in dancing to the beat of their own drummer, right?

Well, gas prices may be slowly declining, but there’s no question people are starting to look at other modes of transport besides their Chevy Suburbans and Ford Expeditions. People have varying levels of comfort piloting a 2-wheeler, ranging from “Let’s go!” to “Uh, I don’t know, I can barely ride a bike.”

Hoping to bridge that gap is Italian scooter manufacturer Piaggio. Best known for its iconic Vespa brand in the United States, the company has just introduced the curious MP3 model in Europe. Ungainly styling aside, this interesting contraption offers the stability approaching that of a car but the nimbleness and parking versatility of a scooter or motorcycle. The “tadpole” configuration of two wheels in the front and one in the rear gives the MP3 stability far greater than a single front wheel design. In addition, the scooter can lean up to 40 degrees while cornering, and park without the need of a kickstand thanks to its exclusive electro-hydraulic front suspension design.

There’s little doubt this strangely-styled transport module will be a hit in congested Europe with its $6.00 a gallon gas, but will it catch on stateside? Maybe it’ll be the early-adopter geeks that take the first bold step of acceptance, but I could see this contraption potentially catching on big.

Additional Articles:
Time to consider a motorcycle?
Scooter sales soar amid high gas prices
Motorcycle fatalities lead among vehicle road deaths

–Edward A. Sanchez