What’s 64, fun, stylish, sexy, Italian and buzzes like a wasp? The Vespa! Piaggio has been making Vespa scooters since 1946—a vehicle that’s economical to run, practical as a city runabout, and a joyful ride. The Vespa has also managed to maintain a unique and unshakable aura of cool ever since.
Many Vespa riders mention having watched Roman Holiday or The Talented Mr. Ripley as the first time they fell in love with the classic scooters. Whether it’s Audrey Hepburn or Jude Law that personifies glamour for you, a Vespa is an accessible way to attain a little star sparkle and appeal.
Appeal, you ask? Well, people smile at you when you’re on a Vespa. And you’ll find that you smile more when you’re on a Vespa, too. Vancouver isn’t an unfriendly city, but I never noticed strangers smiling at me until I started riding the Ferrari-red LX50 I call Enzo. (That’s the name I’ve given my Vespa; I’ve found most other scooters I come across have names, too.) Riding a Vespa on a beautiful sunny day makes you feel as though you could just keep going, and maybe Gregory Peck or Audrey Hepburn would be waiting for you at the end of the road. The wind in your face, and a smooth road before you, put you in an unmatched, relaxed mood.
I got Enzo for practical reasons, but I keep riding him because I love it so. Vancouver’s temperate climate makes it a natural for Vespas, and if you have good waterproof gear, you can play in the puddles to your heart’s content. Mass transit doesn’t work for me, but I can toodle back and forth to work each day for less than two litres of gas a week, which means Enzo’s not only cheap to run, he’s reasonably “green”. He’s also easy to park, and oh, did I mention, fun? There’s not nearly as much romance and charm to the SkyTrain, somehow, and having a little fun-break on the way to and from work is unbeatable. Vespa riders aren’t in a hurry like all those other people in rush hour: we are out there enjoying the ride.
Vancouver has a couple of loose associations of scooter enthusiasts, who traditionally have a rally every Labour Day weekend, attracting riders from all over Western Canada and even Washington state. The rally features group rides, with 100 or more scooters of all brands and vintages dashing en masse around the Lower Mainland, seeing the sights. When I was a new rider, I found the community really warm and welcoming. So if you’re curious about getting a Vespa of your very own, don’t hesitate to approach a Vespa rider and strike up a conversation. There are a couple of cafés on Commercial Drive where on any given Sunday you can see a nice array of scooters.
I’ve used all kinds of transportation, and they all have their advantages. But I can say unequivocally that my Vespa has a singular place in my heart.
Photo: Piaggio Group USA.
