Scooter popularity is soaring. But scooters are not kid stuff, local enthusiasts said.

With engines up to 800 cubic centimeters and top speeds greater than 100 mph, today’s scooters are serious machines that demand real safety precautions.

“A lot of people make the mistake of thinking scooters are toys, but other than your seating position, they’re no different than a motorcycle,” said Noelle Omer, a 30-year-old magazine editor and member of the Hill City United Scooter Club.

This weekend, as many as 450 Vespa scooter riders from around the country will be attending the Amerivespa 2008 rally in Chattanooga. Events include a ride from Scenic City Scooters in Red Bank to Deals Gap on the Tennessee-North Carolina border, famous for more than 300 turns in 11 miles.

A scooter show from 1:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday at First Tennessee Pavilion downtown is open to the public. Scooters and games can be viewed for free. Registration is required ($70 for today-Sunday, meals included) to try out demo scooters or to participate in games, Ms. Omer said.

Meanwhile, sales of scooters locally continue to soar, retailers say.

Ultimate Cycle and Scooter on Market Street has sold out of its in-stock models and has more than 40 scooters back-ordered, said co-owner Charlie Wade.

“We’ve been inundated with sales. People are even buying them sight-unseen. The age of scootering has definitely arrived,” Mr. Wade said.

The first thing to do to learn to ride safely is take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course. Do this before you buy a scooter, if possible, said Mr. Wade’s wife and Ultimate Cycle co-owner Cindy Wade.

“I took the course last April, and it was awesome,” Ms. Wade said. Class instructors provide all motorcycles, easy-to-handle 250cc Honda Rebels, she said.

Braking, leaning, turning, proper gear and awareness are taught, she said. Scooters ride similarly to motorcycles. One difference: You shift gears on a motorcycle but on a scooter you just turn the key and go, Ms. Wade said.

Scooters come in three quality levels, said Mr. Wade. Topof-the-line Tier 1s range from about $4,000-$6,000 and include Vespas, Syms and Kymcos. Tier 2 scooters of medium quality are equally safe, but are substantially cheaper: $2,000 to $3,000. These include brands such as TGB and Schwinn.

Tier 3 scooters, usually sold by unlicensed, unbonded dealers, may be dangerous, Mr. Wade said. These scooters may or may not meet federal environmental and state licensing requirements, he said. Many differently named machines are manufactured by a handful of Chinese companies.

“You can buy a scooter that looks real nice, cranks and drives nice for $800-$1,000,” he said. “But what if that frame hasn’t been welded correctly and buckles while you’re riding? When you buy a scooter by the side of the road, you don’t even know who built it.”

Scooter drivers should always wear recommended safety gear, experts say. A helmet is required by law. A full-face helmet is recommended by experience scooterists and costs $38 and up, said Jen Obal, Ultimate Cycle co-owner.

Make sure the helmet you buy has been department of transportation tested for motorcycle safety, she added.

Another “must-have” is a jacket ($150-$350) to protect your skin from scrapes and your bones from crash impact.

Look for armor in the shoulders, back and elbows, she said. For warm weather, breathable mesh is available. Either a face shield or sunglasses ($20 and up) and gloves ($20-$60) complete the basic protective gear.

Use common sense on clothing and shoes, Ms. Obal added.

“Wear jeans and shoes that cover your foot — no flip flops, no shorts,” she said.

After mastering these methods, it’s time to have fun.

“The great thing about scooters is that, besides getting 70-plus miles to the gallon and not having to hunt for parking, people come back and say they’ve never had so much fun,” Mr. Wade said. “They even increase the fun of going to work.”

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