I just witnessed an NYPD truck with 3 bikes in it (scooters and motorcycles) followed by a van full of NYPD. They wrote me two tickets (sidewalk and no plate) and were about to impound my bike when I got a call from a co-worker.

The ET2 on the block got no tickets and they left it, I assume because they could not find a VIN. They were trying to break into the seat.

EDIT2: Sorry, worked up. This was in midtown east. 40s - 50s and third and lex is where I witnessed. I noticed them tagging another as I shamefully drove back home to park.

EDIT: Sorry for this being my first post, but I just bought the thing two days ago and registered yesterday...

In what neighborhood did you see this?

Brendan

Where in the city did this take place?

Midtown east, 40s - 50s, third and lex is where I saw them actually taking bikes. Edited original post.

So much for Velcro plates.

How about a mass scooter protest at City Hall demanding parking for our efficient, gas saving, space saving, environmentally friendly vehicles?

It's probably not a bad idea to start up a petition, and bring it to the monkey for every one to sign, then dropping off at a city official who has some interest in helping the people who live here out.

Ouchhhhhh.

With this mayor, I wouldn't be surprised that any organized protest was met with a swarm of NYPD instructed to issue as many summonses they can to the group.

That's a given. Everyone who comes on a scooter has to have everything in order.

Bloomberg doesn't give a crap unless he or his buddies can profit from it. Why do you think he wants another term? He's got more favors to give and receive.

But how many scooter and motorcycle riders are there in and around NYC?
Could be a force to be rekoned with.

Of course, what this is really all about...

THEY WANT YOU TO RIDE THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND PAY THEM.

It is always about money

Get it done!

Say two thousand scooters and motorcycles (ALL LEGAL IN EVERY WAY) massing at City Hall would get the attention of the newpapers AND some City Council Critters.

There MUST be over 2000 scoots and bikes in the NYC area.

It needs to be like a big rally day, protest at City Hall followed by BBQ and music someplace. Get the people out.

However many bikes & scooterthere are in NYC you'd be lucky to get 10% to show up. Maybe instead of a protest... call it a rally?????

How about calling it – THE LET MY SCOOTERS GO RALLY!!! – chose a leader to play the roll of Moses to hold a dialogue with the Pharaoh of City Hall.

All joking aside – numbers will be important – so pick a date, post it in other regional scootering forums, get all of the necessary permits, etc.

Great idea.

What we really need is a real leader.

But that takes a lot of thought and committment.

I would glady join an event with my perfectly legal scooter and or motorcycle.

I'd take part. I went to City Council meeting on motorcycle parking at Muni-Meters. Sad to say that the scooter community was not present. The motorcyclists were there with a few different groups representing them.
In my opinion NYC scooterists should be more concerned and take part as we are a large group.

I would think scooters/motorcycle riders are a force to be reckoned with but the issue is never something the politicians get involved with in an election year. Even if the scooter/motorcycle voting block was a substantial force, there is never any legislation proposed on their behalf. Like Sosgt said, his City is about subsidizing public transportation. When gas prices ramped up, the talk was just about more public transportation and spaces/benefits for hybrid cars, nothing about scooters/motorcycles.

I would like to participate (fully legal, licensed, insured and eye protection ). Maybe something will come together before winter. Kind of sad to see after the closure of the Wall Street/South Street motorcycle lot, the bikes have scattered around the neighborhood but almost always get ticketed for one reason or another.

Yay! I was one of the lucky ones to come back to a missing scooter. It's beyond ridiculous. It was taken by the Auto Crime Unit. Apparently, this will be much more than a ticket. I located my buddy and the officer told me I need to come in to get FINGERPRINTED and PHOTOGRAPHED! I think I'm being arrested.

They're going to give me a criminal court summons and I won't get my bike back for weeks! I was told one of the last cases got 8 hours of community service. Another guy got some acronym, ATP or something which means if he stays out of trouble for a year, he'll be okay.

Why is scooting such a crime?!!

Where was your scooter parked?
What crime are you being accused of?