Scooter is a two-wheeled or three-wheeled motorized vehicle that resembles a small motorcycle. Scooters have engines at the rear. Many scooters have a low windshield to protect riders from the weather, dirt, and other hazards. A rider uses handlebars to steer the scooter and pulls hand levers to brake. Unlike motorcycles, scooters typically have a low frame, allowing a person to easily step through the body from one side to the other.
Like many cars and motorcycles, modern scooters can have four-stroke gasoline engines and electric starters. They often have automatic transmissions. Many scooters have seating for two riders, with storage space in the front, under the seat, or on a luggage rack at the rear. The vehicles are equipped with headlights and tail lights for night driving and better visibility in the daytime.
People around the world use scooters because of their low cost, small size, and good fuel efficiency. They are especially popular in cities, where their riders can better navigate narrow streets, congested traffic, and scarce parking. In some countries, families use scooters as their primary means of transportation to save on fuel.
The first scooterlike vehicle was produced in Germany by the firm of Hildebrand and Wolfmüller in 1894. By 1920, manufacturers in France, the United Kingdom, the United States, and other countries were also making scooters. After World War II (1939-1945), manufacturers in Japan and Italy began making scooters, and the vehicles became increasingly popular. Some modern manufacturers offer rechargeable electric scooters.
The word scooter can also be used for an even smaller vehicle that enables the user to “scoot” over short distances rather than walk. This kind of scooter usually has no motor. In one common design, the rider stands on a two-wheeled platform with one foot, pushing along the ground with the other.
