Once as simple as nailing a couple of boards together and attaching a set of steel roller skate wheels, the archaic concept has undergone a sleek, streamlined make over - it's not your daddy's childhood scooter.
Getting a push-start by a German inventor looking to shorten his commute to work along the busy streets of Berlin, the reworked design of the classic kiddie ride quickly became a hot item throughout Japan as an alternative to the overcrowded bike paths, bustling sidewalks, and congested subways.
The craze has since taken hold in the United States, most noticeably on the East and West Coasts, where pinstripe-attired Manhattan-types compete for riding space alongside kids and dot-com employees in parking starved San Francisco discovered the practicle gizmo.
Sporting snazzy names like Xootr, Quick Kick, Razor, Micro, Zappie and Kickboard, the new generation of scooters are a far cry from the rough riding models of yesterday. The standout, in terms of name-brand popularity and demand, has been the Razor - So hot that it quickly became the top selling item for Sharper Image, it weighs a trim 5.5 pounds and can support up to 350 pounds. The aluminum tubing and stainless steel constructed body has an adjustable T-bar steering column and glides along on 4-inch Rollerblade-style wheels that come in a variety of colors.
The deck measures just four inches across at its widest point, and a switch enables the chassis to fold in half for easy storage in back packs, lockers, or under desks. The rear fender, when pressed underfoot, also doubles as a brake.
Replacement parts such as grip tape, bearings, wheels, and assorted hardware like nuts and bolts can be readily found in most bicycle and skateboard shops, and an ever expanding line of accessories including elbow and knee pads, battery powered lighted wheels, and specially shaped tote bags with cellphone pockets have rolled out for riders who wish to customize ride.
Part of the cross-generational appeal stems the short ammount of time needed to master scooter riding - unlike in-line skates or skateboards, scooters are controlled manually and require a minimum of balance.
Adults seem to appreciate the efficiency of taking their scooters on short hops to the corner grocer as well as to work. Some business travelers have found them handy in getting from terminal to terminal in busy airports, and razors were even used by messengers in Philadelphia at the Republican National Convention.
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