TWENTY mopeds and scooters in Torbay have been given the safety go-ahead after experts at a free surgery checked the vehicles.

Police and council road safety officers have had concerns about poorly maintained mopeds and scooters and joined forces with two Torbay motorcycle dealers to stage the safety surgery at Paignton’s Victoria car park on Saturday.

Police casualty reduction officer PC Chris Lancaster said: “This event is not about fines, tickets and points, but to help make sure the mopeds and scooters are safe.

“However, if someone came along and the mechanics found something wrong or that the machine was unroadworthy, the owner would have been given appropriate advice.

“Next month we police will be carrying out enforcement through roadside checks, so the surgery provides an excellent opportunity to make sure mopeds and scooters are road-worthy and to rectify any faults.”

Council road safety officer Bev Hannah said: “None of the machines were unroadworthy and there were only minor issues like loose chains or low brake pads.

“It seems as if the message is getting out as it seemed most of the machines had already been professionally checked.

“It was a very positive event and most of the riders said it is something we should do again.”

Staff from PGH Motorcycles and GT Motorcycles checked mopeds and scooters to ensure they were roadworthy, recommending any necessary repairs and maintenance.

There was free coffee and doughnuts and members of the council’s road safety team offered advice.

SOURCE: HERALD EXPRESS (UK)

City residents may get a more watchful eye on their beloved scooters, thanks to a new program through the Annapolis Police Department.

Yesterday, police kicked off an effort to help reduce the number of scooters that are stolen on city streets, and to help return those that are stolen to the rightful owners. The program is modeled after the “Watch Your Car” program, which is run by the Maryland Vehicle Theft Prevention Council.

Under the scooter program, owners give their serial numbers and other information to police and get a sticker to put on their scooters. The sticker gives officers probable cause to pull the scooter driver over at any time of the day. This is because scooter thefts happen more frequently during the day, said Bob Emory, a retired lieutenant from the Annapolis Police Department who currently serves as a vehicle-theft prevention specialist.

“A lot of scooters are stolen during the day,” he said. “It’s a little bit of a different pattern from automobiles.”

In 2008, there were 125 vehicles stolen in the city, and 41 of them were motor scooters.

The scooter program runs similarly to the car program that allows a police officer to pull over a car between 1 and 5 a.m. that is registered with the program and stickered. Once again, it gives the officer probable cause to pull the car over and make sure the owner is driving. The program is ideal for people who do not drive in the early morning hours, because many car thefts happen in the overnight hours.

The “Watch Your Scooter” program is funded through the Maryland Vehicle Theft Prevention Council, and is supported by the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund.

“Police recognize the problem,” Mr. Emory said.

Often, police recover the stolen scooter, but because scooters are not registered with the Maryland Vehicle Administration, it is difficult to find the rightful owners.

Maj. Ray Presley, from the Maryland Theft Prevention Council, said the scooter program is the first of its kind, adding that scooter thefts are a problem because they are popular in Annapolis.

“We’re very excited about it,” he said.

The Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund, based in Annapolis, provided the stickers for the program, which will be placed on the front and back of scooters.

“We saw a need … and we wanted to come out and be part of the solution,” said Joseph M. Asplen, special investigations unit manager.

George Steiner, owner of V-Moto Scooters, said customers have heard about scooter thefts being a problem, and he will offer the scooter program information to anyone who buys a scooter there.

“We’re hoping this will deter it,” he said.

For now, V-Moto Scooters is the only store in Annapolis that has the program registration, but Mr. Emory will be contacting other stores to stock them up with registrations, too. And people interested in the program may also get registrations at the police station.

Gerry Webb, the shop manager at V-Moto Scooters, was the first person to register his scooter in the program.

“I see all the scooters that get stolen …” he said. “Half the time, the scooters don’t get back to the original owners.”

He said he knows officers may pull him over while he’s driving his own scooter, but it’s worth it in the long run to protect his investment.

“Let them stop us,” Mr. Webb said. “It just gives them a better way to do their job and we’re all better off.”

SOURCE: HOMETOWNANNAPOLIS.COM

Need to run to the cleaners and to the grocery store, all just around the block?

A pink-and-silver scooter could get you there quickly and efficiently — and benefit a good cause.

Beach Scooters will give away a $1,300 gas-powered scooter during the MyTime Women’s Show 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Hampton Roads Convention Center near the Hampton Coliseum in Hampton.

Proceeds from the giveaway benefit Beyond Boobs!, a breast cancer support group on the Peninsula.

Manufactured by Roketa, the scooter is street-legal and can reach speeds of 30 to 35 miles per hour, said Jack Houck, owner of Beach Scooters.

Fill it with one gallon of premium unleaded gas, and you’re good to go for 100 miles, he says.

The scooter features a comfortable seat with storage underneath, dual mirrors, lights, turning signals and horn — everything to keep you safe on urban roads.

“People are buying these scooters for transportation to work, running errands around town and just having a little fun,” he says. “It’s almost like buying a bicycle.”

Tickets to win the scooter are $5 each or three for $10.

“Money collected for Beyond Boobs! is used to fund our outreach activities to support young women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer,” says Mary Beth Gibson, 43, who co-founded the group with Rene Bowditch, 58, in 2006. Both are breast cancer survivors from the Williamsburg area.

Beyond Boobs! members will be at the women’s show selling their calendars — which feature local breast cancer survivors — for $10.

The show is sponsored by MyTime women’s magazine and its parent, the Daily Press, as well as Sentara, First Command Financial Services and WTKR-TV.

More than 90 local vendors are expected, and workshops will be offered. Tickets are $10, or $9 with a canned food donation for the local food bank.

The agenda for Sunday’s show can be viewed online at www.hrmytimeshow.com.

SOURCE: DAILYPRESS.COM