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I’d like to highlight a group of people that are doing the heavy lifting to improve aspects of our sport in Philadelphia. Let me say, “THANK-YOU” to the Motorcycle and Scooter Coalition of Philadelphia. I would like this post to recognize some fellow riders and city organizations that are doing the tough work to make it better for the rest of us.

The Motorcycle and Scooter Coalition of Philadelphia was formed to represent Philly bike riders. The goals are the group are to improve riding issues for those that live in, drive-in, shop-in and visit Philadelphia on their bikes.

Anyone that lives *anywhere* knows that the number of vehicles isn’t going anywhere but up in the future. We give a hat-tip to Piaggio for commissioning a study in 2007 discussing the potential benefits of increasing percentages of bikes towards helping congestion in New York City. You can read about that study here. Given the economic situation, it’s reasonable to believe that scooters and motorcycles are going to be a much bigger portion of the transportation picture of southeastern Pennsylvania going forward. From the Coalition’s website, “We travel on two wheels because of the convenience, the cost, and the fun.” You just have to salute a message like that!

The proactive part of this group is currently directed at bike parking in Philadelphia. As we have discussed in Brotherly Love, you can fit a whole bunch more bikes in a normal parking spot than you can cars or trucks. It’s inefficient to waste an entire parking slot for a bike. However, until the Philadelphia Parking Authority began their pilot bike parking program this was the only legal solution. Some of the folks that gave input into this pilot have evolved into the Coalition.

The Coalition folks have been attending meetings to offer suggestions and share real-world experience without which would probably result … in a mess. They have given presentations, attended meetings and helped to shape the direction the Parking Authority takes. To the PPA, thanks for listening to these folks and responding as you have so far. Dividing up parking spaces, adding devices so riders can secure their rides, even making maps is harder than doing nothing. Thanks to the Coalition people and the PPA for working to actually make things better for bikers in Philly!

It is well known that you need at least a 650cc bike to do any serious road-trip.

Smaller bikes, commonly known as starter bikes in the industry, are best fits for local trips on slower roads.

Luckily we have customers like Mike Jarossy of Sellersville who re-write what is commonly called “common knowledge”.

Actually, Mike pretty much blew this knowledge out of the water by taking a 1,296 mile trip on his Hyosung GV250 through five states over 11 days this past summer!

Some trip highlights: Mike blasted up I-95 through Washington D.C., climbed hills to altitudes of over 4,000 feet, rode both the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Colonial Parkway, took his bike on a boat and was even able to pack enough clothes on the Hyosung to attend a wedding.

Read Mike’s terrific trip report and see some beautiful pictures here

Suzanne Searfoss got her Fiddle II 50cc during the summer and got back riding after a long-term relationship with a couple of mopeds. She knew what she needed and the 50cc SYM Fiddle was what she needed. She really enjoys her scooter, has gotten into the nuts and bolts and has been very tuned into the winterization thing (Battery Tender and Stabil). Suzanne will be doing her own oil changes (the crowd goes wild!). The type of story I love to hear came recently from Suzanne. She reported that one day her car didn’t want to participate in the whole transportation solution thing – she jettisoned the car, rode the Fiddle II and got to work ten minutes earlier than normal.

Tell your friends – these scooters work for real people! Thanks Suzanne!

Next up is John Opet.

Some people have so much talent, it’s obvious. They wear it on their sleeves.

John is a graphic artist who owns not just one SYM but two. He recently scored a great deal on a low-mileage SYM HD125 and has been bringing his SYM HD200 to us for some time. He outfitted the scooter you see here with a 45 liter GIVI top case. We put on an LED brake light turn signal and running light kit. Well, that’s creative. Right??

No, creative is a guy like John who designs and draws his own scene with his scooter in it, get fabric printed with his scene on it and makes a shirt that he wears with it.

You people are awesome.
(reprinted from the November Newsletter)

After you Dress your scooter for the Holidays, let’s talk about proper cold weather riding gear for you.

Our weather lately has taken a turn for the unseasonably worse, but I’m not about to have my cold, frostbitten hands pried from my bike. Especially when we have some great winter weather riding equipment for you.

I’ve been maintaining riding comfort with just a couple additions to my riding gear so far. I zipped the liner back into my riding jacket and I wear a fleece top or wool sweater underneath. I also wear a fleece neck gaiter and a pair of long underwear under my pants. A pair of snowmobile mitts keep the cold off my fingers. I wear rain suit pants to keep the cold air from going through the material of my pants. The same full face helmet that I wear in the summer keeps my head comfortable with a balaclava. All of my riding lately has been in lower temperatures. I’ll keep riding until there is snow and ice on the streets. Then I stop until the snow and Ice is removed. Then I start riding again. Repeat as often as required.

Here is what we have to make that ride more comfortable:

Rain suits – perfect when it’s wet but also perfect to keep the wind off your legs – try this! (only $29.95)

Heavy gloves – Ski gloves, snowmobile gloves, we also now have Gerbing heated battery powered gloves in stock ($199.95) you can use with any bike, skiing, spectating…

Heated vest – Gerbing heated vests available too ($149.95) – like the gloves, Lithium ION battery powered

Heated seat cushion – Also from Gerbing – take to all outside events ($99.95) – Great gift!

Scooter Mitts – Mitts that attach to your handlebars that you slip your hands in – practice feeling where your switches are before you go live ($19.95)

Balaclavas- Keeping the cold wind off your neck is huge (be careful with scarves – I don’t like dangly things near wheels)

Textile/Leather Coats – Get windproof/waterproof clothing for that cold and wet weather

Snow tires – Vee Rubber and Hidenau scooter cold weather tires (~$100/bike + installation)