bike

Okay - how about - all the questions I just asked about bikes and we apply them to scooters also?! Thanks. 🙂

Which Island again? If you're talking about stj you cant get away from the hills period. Stt has heavy car traffic so you are taking your lifes into your own hands. But if you really love it we have serious bike riders here on stx that take their lives into their hands every day. Wear very bright colors and just be really aware of the cars and unfortunately you are not going to be afforded the same rights and respect you probably would stateside. Roads are alot more narrow and very windy. Not saying you shouldnt do it, just know its very dangerous. You will have to make a effort to stay out of the cars way.

Thanks for the given advice so far... I look forward to hearing other opinions as well (good and bad)! We are beginning on St. John - where we hope to stay. If that doesn't work we will end up on St. Thomas (east end - we hope!) 🙂

oh and there are quite a few posts on scooters and motorcycles...you might want to search them. I've ridden for about 10 years, I wouldnt do it on stj, I would only do in stt if you are experienced driver and even then, think twice about it.

If you are living in an apartment right in Cruz Bay and have no need to go any farther than the ferry, you might be able to do it on a bike. You note that you are familiar with.... St John's hills and narrow roads...., so put that in your equation. Do you plan to go to the beach, to STT, to dinner or visit friends in Coral Bay, to the grocery store? I know I could never do it on a bike, and I am a long time road rider. Be realistic about how you will be living on St John. Dreams are one thing reality is ...what you need to survive. Scooters will work, but can be very dangerous, it's not like Bermuda or Key West.

I do see people riding scooters here on St. John, and I really don't know how they get around some of the switchbacks here. You would probably be safer on a scooter on the North Shore Road than you would on Centerline, which sees a lot of big dump trucks related to the construction around here...and don't count on the dump truck drivers to be in control of their vehicles...one recently plowed through town after knowingly operating his truck that had defective brakes. It's a mircale no one was seriously injured or killed.
At least living in town you will be able to walk to many of the services you need, and hitchiking is always an option here as well.
People DO ride scooters here, but you just need to be aware of some of the obstacles you will be facing!