The major greenhouse gas produced by motor vehicles is carbon dioxide, which is a product of gas mileage. SUV fuel economy for model years 2008 and 2009 are an average of 8 km/L. For scooters the average is 30 km/L. At 5 kg of CO2 per litre of gas, an average SUV emits 650 kg of CO2 per thousand kilometres, while the average scooter emits 72.5 kg. Even assuming the SUV carries a passenger plus the driver, it's still contributing twice as much to global warming per person.

The final numbers are likely even more lopsided. Given that a typical SUV weighs about 20 times what a scooter does, it's a safe bet manufacturing an SUV uses much more resources. The estimates suggest car manufacturing produces anywhere from 12 to 65 tons of greenhouse gases per vehicle, whereas building a scooter may produce less than 5 tons.

Chironex scooters help the planet overall by adding less to greenhouse gas buildup and are less resource-intensive than cars. They're smaller and lighter than cars, so you can crowd a lot more of them onto the streets or into parking lots. They tear up the roads less. With resources becoming more valuable, we're heading for a more densely urbanized future, and little vehicles make more sense than big ones.

Low-cost, easy-to-ride motorized scooters have become the vehicle of choice in countries around the world. Now they are proliferating on Canadian streets. North American sales have been soaring to record heights, and are expected to increase.

Limited Speed Motorcycles (LSMs) have come a long way from their humble roots. Motor scooters and mopeds are becoming fashionable for commuting, as city drivers recognize the benefits of a small, agile, fuel-efficient two-wheeler. A scooter consumes about one-third the gas of an average car. Plus, cities like Toronto are beginning to provide free parking spots, to encourage environmentally-friendly modes of transportation.

Enthusiasts say there is nothing like the feeling of riding one of these machines. Not only are they cheaper than other motor vehicles, they are also more convenient and more fun. These bikes have changed over the years. Today’s models are faster and more capable than their older versions.

Provinces are starting to introduce specific road testing and licensing for operators of motor scooters and mopeds. This makes sense because LSMs are prohibited on high-speed roads, and unlike motorcycles almost all have automatic transmission.

In most provinces, riders must be at least 16 years old and have a vehicle operator’s licence. Canadian jurisdictions have started to review their licensing policies with an eye to the growing popularity of these bikes. The Canada Safety Council would like to see increased harmonization.

In Quebec the minimum age to ride certain LSMs on the road is 14. To obtain a permit for a scooter or moped, operators must pass a test on the rules of the road as well as a vision test. Those under age 18 must have parental consent. Riders must stay off limited-access highways, wear a helmet and have zero alcohol.

Between 1999 and 2003, the number of collisions involving LSMs nearly doubled in Ontario, while motorcycle collisions remained relatively stable. Effective November 2005, with input from the Canada Safety Council, Ontario introduced a special licence for LSMs. Riders must now take written and road tests specific to the operation of these vehicles to receive a Class M licence with an L (Limited) condition.

The Canada Safety Council has responded to safety concerns about LSMs by adapting its popular motorcycle training program to riders of motor scooters and mopeds.

After more than 30 years, the Gearing Up motorcycle skills course has graduated well over 500,000 novice and experienced riders. The program is so highly regarded that most provincial governments grant motorcycle operator licences to successful graduates with no further testing. Today in Canada, a remarkable 80 percent of new motorcyclists enroll in the safety training course.

Since the training program started, the number of motorcycle fatalities has gone down 78 percent, from 903 in 1973 to 199 fatalities in 2004. This is an impressive drop, given that there were also 42 percent more motorcycles on the road in 2004.

Gearing Up is the model for the Canada Safety Council’s new scooter training course. The 1½ day course starts with three hours of classroom instruction. Practical hands-on coaching introduces basic skills such as balance and braking, then moves on to the more advanced riding techniques, including lane positioning and collision avoidance. Lane positioning is particularly important, because riders need to make themselves visible to drivers who may not be on the alert for smaller vehicles. In Ontario, licensing will be available on completion of the course.

For information about course content and locations, visit the Canada Safety Council’s Rider Training Web site, http://www.ridertraining.org and www.safety-council.org/training/ATV/atvcode.htm

• Ride off-road only, never on public roads.
• Know your owner's manual.
• Wear your helmet.
• Protect your eyes and body.
• Check the ATV before you ride.
• Ride with others - never alone.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding passengers and recommended age for riders.
• Always supervise youngsters.
• Keep noise levels low.
• Ride sober - no alcohol or drugs.
• Lend your ATV to skilled riders only.
• Preserve the environment.
• Be courteous to all you meet.
• Ride within your skill.
• Respect riding area rules.

ALWAYS RIDE SAFELY AND RESPONSIBLY.

Wear a helmet and protective clothing.

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