We all remember the scene from Roman Holiday as Audrey Hepburn sits behind Gregory Peck zooming in and out of Rome’s beautiful laneways. And Italy was where scooters became a serious form of transport when Enrico Piaggio was entrusted to take his airplane manufacturing company and design an economical form of transport for Italians after the Second World War. That was in 1946 and since then scooters have gone from strength to strength around the world.

A scooter is a fully automatic two wheel vehicle with a step floor however, there are some variations. As scooters have evolved some have moved to a sportier look that are closer in appearance to a motorcycle whilst others have maintained their origins and keep their manual gear boxes. Scooters vary from 50cc “about-towners” through to 650cc highway cruising machines with enough performance to keep any rider happy. The style we all know, with a step floor (to protect us from the road’s surface and wet weather) and twist and go automatic transmission, are available in all shapes and colours.

The ASF (Australian Scooter Federation) is working very closely with the government and within the industry to develop and regulate a Code of Conduct. Members are expected to adopt the Standard of Practice developed by the FCAI (Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries) and maintain strict guidelines with their suppliers regarding quality of the scooters they are selling and ethical behavior. ASF are also involving themselves with industry suppliers, riding schools, accessory suppliers, scooter clubs, anyone who is actively promoting the fun and ease of riding a scooter!

“To promote scootering in Australia as eco-friendly, practical, pleasurable, safe and accessible. A practical way of life.”