Scooters Popular In Tennessee Valley With Rising Fuel Costs

Henley says, "They're highly economical, highly practical. They let me pay my groceries."

Instead of paying over a hundred dollars a month to gas up her car. She now pays half that to ride her scooter.

Martha Campbell says, "Had this scooter for about 3 years."

Martha Campbell has seen the cost savings too.

Campbell says, "I fill up once every 10 days, 2 weeks, depending on the season. It's so much cheaper. I get about 70 miles to the gallon on this."

Owner of Scenic City Scooter Hugh Schein says, "Since the first of March, I would guess our business has tripled over last year and most of it driven by gas prices."

Owner of Scenic City Scooters Hugh Schein says these 2-wheelers can get anywhere from 60 to a hundred miles per gallon.

Schein adds, "We have found that the 125 cc scooters are just perfect for Chattanooga for riding around town. They have a top speed of 60 miles an hour. They will pull Signal Mountain and Lookout Mountain and you won't imped traffic."

Schein says people find scooters aren't as intimidating as motorcylces.

But Martha Campbell says their size can be a drawback if people feel safer on something bigger.

To first time buyers she gives this advice, "Don't be afraid, they're easy to ride. Just look out for others and take care of yourself and I think they're pretty safe if you do that."

Schein says the scooter trend is already popular overseas where gas prices have been high for quite sometime.

And while it may not be for everybody, it seems more and more people in the Tennessee Valley are starting to follow.

Schein says in Tennessee, a scooter is treated much like a motorcycle. You are required to wear a helmet and need insurance.

Scenic City Scooters