Birmingham, UK, transport chief Coun Martin Mullaney made a name for himself by demanding that other public officials use the bus system, but he admitted to the local paper that he usually rides his vintage Lambretta because public transportation is so backed-up. “Birmingham is seen as anti-bus, and some of the things we have done have added to that perception,” says Mullaney. Um, yeah. (Thanks for the story, e*rock.)
Category: Europe
MCN interviews PiaggioUK boss
Rome bans “Euro 0” scooters
The city of Rome will begin enforcement of a ban on “Euro 0”-rated scooters and motorcycles within a large area of the city on January 1, 2007. Most pre-1999 scooters, likely 120,000 vehicles, will not be permitted within the “anello ferrovario” area of Rome. Residents of the area may continue to ride Euro 0 bikes in the zone until November, 2007. Roman officials cite research that finds one Euro 0 vehicle can emit the same quantity of pollutants into the atmosphere as 63 uncatalyzed cars. Collectors can register vintage machines for an exemption from the ban. Reimbursements and rebates are also available to encourage riders to upgrade or scrap their older vehicles.
MTV Italia’s “Pimp My Wheels”
We reported in March that MTV in Italy was preparing “Pimp My Vespa” on the heels of the American success of “Pimp my Ride.” Turns out (thanks, Ryan!) the show’s been on all summer (it’s called “Pimp my Wheels”) and you can view video clips and photos on MTV’s site.
Hydro-methane scooter tested in Italy
A team of engineers from Rimini Alberti technical school, sponsored by Enea and the province of Rimini, tested the world’s first hydromethane scooter Friday at the Ecomondo ecology fair in Rimini, Italy.
“Scooter for rocket-propelled grenade launcher” deal
Hoping to reclaim some of the many weapons left behind during the ’90s war in Bosnia, United Nations officials have launched a program in which Bosnians can turn in weapons, and in exchange, be entered in a lottery to win motorscooters and household appliances.
Make the Vesp Choice
Here’s an interesting advert featuring a Kylie Minogue looky like, King Kong, and a scooter.
PGO to Europe
Motoblog reports that PGO is targeting Europe with their 125 and 125 evo (4-valve) G-Max models. I wasn’t aware there was a 4-valve 125, so I’m not sure if their info is correct, or if I’m translating it properly, but check out those european-market graphics (scroll down under those oogly MZ beasts)
The Maltese Vespa
Piaggio’s importer and distributor for Malta, M. Demajo & Co. Ltd, announced a special financial assistance program for students. Demajo is also lobbying the government to cut registration tax on scooters, and working with transportation and police authorities. Worldwide, Piaggio is seeking new ways to promote the many benefits of scootering, though in Malta they seem to have bypassed PiaggioUSA’s vague pseudo-political ‘petition’ and are instead taking direct politico-socio-economic action. To be fair, that’s probably a lot easier in a nation of less than a half-million where scooters are already popular.
Kinetic, Ducati electrical units form joint venture
The Business Standard of India reports a joint venture has been formed by Kinetic Communication and Ducati Energia to manufacture “flywheel magnetos, CDI, ignition system, regulators and ECU for two and three-wheelers.” The venture will be called “Ducati Energia India,” and will be based in Pune. Kinetic is currently developing and manufacturing the former Italjet line of scooters. If only they could work Lucas into this deal, they’d pretty much dominate motorcycle electrics for a thousand years.
Merry-go-round (follow-up)
BBC reports that Crawley, West Sussex police are investigating the “Merry-go-round” video posted last week on YouTube, in which two presumably-teenaged girls were thrown from a playground merry-go-round spun with a scooter tire. Remind me not to post any rally videos on YouTube.
A real Roman holiday
We usually cringe when a Vespa story starts with a reference to Roman Holiday, but this travelogue, by a young journalist that saw Rome from the pillion seat of a Vespa, is aptly titled and worth a read.
Off-road in Bissendorf
Dirt-track scooter trials in Bissendorf Germany at the Scooter Scoop. Maybe POC Phil was onto something that time he broke his leg?
Piaggio X9 tour for pet charity
Steve Basford of Tenerife, Canary Islands, is touring 6,500 kms through Europe on a Piaggio X9 125, for a charity promoting veterinary care. How do all these people get so much time off work to ride scooters for weeks on end for charity? Best of luck, Steve.
Italy repeals 50cc 2-up ban
Friday, Italy will overturn a recent law prohibiting passengers on 50cc scooters. The new law allows passengers over 18 (sorry Brooke!) to ride on 50cc scooters if the vehicle is authorized to carry a passenger and a new €50 license plate is obtained. 50cc owners can keep their old plates if they are not able to, or do not wish to, carry a guest, but if they do meet a nice girl down at the Piazza and give her a lift home, they may be fined up to €275. (via Urbannerd