NEWPORT BEACH — Every morning, Randy Poulson boards a scooter and drives from Newport Shores to his workplace in Balboa. The scooter has a motor, but it makes only minimal noise — no more than a regular bicycle as the driver glides over boardwalks and across city streets.Then, at the end of the day, Poulson plugs it back into the wall socket.

Source: Statesman Journal
Salem, Oregon

August 4, 2007

I have read a great deal about the peak oil issue. Our dependence on foreign oil is at a critical stage.

Statistically speaking, each of us uses 28 barrels of oil per year. The Chinese, in contrast, use less than two barrels per capita; Mexico, seven barrels. The U.S. consumes 21 million barrels of oil per day. The answer is simple. We need to reduce our use of oil.

My effort includes alternative short-distance transportation. I have observed far too many of us using our vehicles to take children to school only a few blocks away. They are driving the mile or two to the store or post office in gas-guzzling pick-ups and SUVs.

My choice for alternative short distance driving is the electric scooter. My goal is to make them available so short-distance driving can be reduced, thereby improving air quality and reducing vehicular oil consumption.

— Robert W. Montgomery, Keizer