Car to Scooter - need some encouragement?

passatrider

I'm currently using my car to drive to work 3 times a week using on average around £25 per week in petrol. Now, thing is I want to start cutting back on costs so will use my 100cc scooter which spends most of the time sat in the back yard.
I bought the scooter on a whim with an aim to doing my bike test in 2011, but have not got very far with it. I eventually went back to work and bought a car again.

The thing is I know I will save £'s commuting to work on the scooter and just use the car for short journeys instead. I'm not too keen on the wet weather though which should not be an issue really but it just bugs me.

Has anyone any tips for weaning myself off the car and using the scooter more often?

Raksha

Take the scooter out for a ride round at the weekend when theres no pressure to be somewhere on time and just get used to it. Have you done your cbt?

forgotmyname

I bought a scooter because my journey used to take under 10 minutes before people noticed the new road open and before the speed limit signs went in.

It was starting to take 45 minutes... With the scooter even when gridlocked it still took around 10 minutes.

Waterproof overtrousers sorted the weather. Face mask that covered the neck also stopped the wind.

Sorted.

passatrider

Raksha wrote: »

Take the scooter out for a ride round at the weekend when theres no pressure to be somewhere on time and just get used to it. Have you done your cbt?

Hi, Yes I did my CBT in in March 2011 so it will need to be renewed soon.
I'm not worried about actually riding it as much. It's more of a case of breaking the habit of jumping in the car instead of using the scooter. I just find it hard to change my ways.

paddedjohn

Im in the same boat as you OP, got my Vespa parked in the shed which could reduce my juice bill down from about £125 to £35 per month. I travel to work when the roads are quiet so its quicker and warmer to just jump into my van but i really need to stop being lazy and get back on 2 wheels.

UsernameAlreadyExists

Sit in heavy traffic for a while, that should settle it.
& what forgotmyname said, protect yourself from the elements!

david29dpo

It helped me to just use my Vespa on warm days in the summer.
I then slowly got to late November before it got to cold.
This year i plan to start in Feb.
Still saving a fortune!

steve-L

Perhaps committing to doing your bike test would give you the impetus?
I have considered a scooter myself but I had a feeling I'd end up like you....

marlot

Leave a pair of shoes at the office (and suit jacket if you have to wear a suit). That way you can wear proper biking boots - they protect the ankles if you come off.
Buy a decent jacket and trousers - they need not cost a fortune, especially in the sales (ie at the moment).
Enjoy it!

Trebor16

Having the right gear, as has been said by others, makes a big difference when it is cold and wet. Riding more steadily in the wet and keeping a safe distance from vehicles in front of you also helps. Just take the scooter out for the odd trip to get back into the swing of it before starting back on the commute.

If you are still interested in taking your test the law changes on the 19th January and there are considerable changes. At the moment it is possible to take a test on a bike below 120cc engine capacity but from the 19th the smallest bike you can take your test on will be between 120 and 125cc with a minimum top speed of 56mph/90kmh.

Raksha

Can you aska friend to take custody of your car keys one evening so you have to ride the bike in the morning?