Admit it. Gas prices have driven you to dream up all sorts of ways to cut down on your fuel expenses. Maybe you've even considered getting a scooter for your daily driving ... you know, one of those slightly dorky, motorcycle-wannabes for people who've been convicted of a DUI.

 

But scooters are becoming cool, right? Teensy gas tank plus huge MPGs equal big savings. Unless you're a world champion hypermiler in your Prius or Civic Hybird, you'll definitely cut way down on the amount of gas you use.

 

The biggest hurdle is obviously the question of practicality.

 

Are they safe? What kind of mileage can I get? Can I get to work without getting run off the road? How do I go through the McDonald's drive-through? What happens when it rains? How fast do these things go? Will my spouse disown me?

 

Tough questions, indeed. But we're not going to let a few tough questions prevent us from finding answers.

 

THE MAN: Scooter Man (aka Brad Jones) THE MACHINE: Vespa LX150 COLOR: Dragon Red TOP SPEED: 55 mph GAS MILEAGE: 60 - 75 mpg HOW: I parked my gas-sucking Dodge Hemi SUV for a week and spent every day on a Vespa. WHY: If you're having a hard time putting $100 into your gas tank, like I am, you don't have to ask. WHAT: I went shopping, made the commute to work, ran errands and talked to other scooter enthusiasts to see how the machines have changed their lives.

Behold Scooter Man.

For one week, FOX8 morning anchor Brad Jones swallowed his pride and traded in his beloved 15-mpg American SUV for a Vespa LX150 scooter. Brad, AKA Scooter Man, drove the Vespa everywhere: to and from work, to the post office, the dry cleaners, McDonald's.

 

Along the way, Scooter Man met other scooter people and learned how folks around here have basically given up their cars entirely, not just for a week and not just in nice weather.

 

We tracked his miles, his fuel costs, his mishaps ... all to see if life on a scooter in the Piedmont Triad is possible, practical or even preferable.

 

Keep track of Scooter Man's escapades Monday through Friday on the FOX8 Morning News and FOX8 5:00 News from July 14 to July 18.