Question about transportation

Unless all your affairs are in order, you have full medical insurance, a life insurance policy and membership in one of the air ambulance companies serving the islands, that would be an emphatic no. Have you even visited St Thomas and St John?

I've lived here for over 30 years and wouldn't even give my worst enemy a map and set them astride a scooter or a bicycle here. The "wet" is your least concern. Twisting mountainous roads with no shoulders and no sidewalks, no visibility going around bends in the road, enormous potholes and narrow roads will do you in very quickly.

Probably not what you want to hear but ...

Unless all your affairs are in order, you have full medical insurance, a life insurance policy and membership in one of the air ambulance companies serving the islands, that would be an emphatic no. Have you even visited St Thomas and St John?

I've lived here for over 30 years and wouldn't even give my worst enemy a map and set them astride a scooter or a bicycle here. The "wet" is your least concern. Twisting mountainous roads with no shoulders and no sidewalks, no visibility going around bends in the road, enormous potholes and narrow roads will do you in very quickly.

Probably not what you want to hear but ...

And still all those pale in comparison to a population who use traffic laws and yellow lines as mere suggestions.

I would suggest another mode of transportation.

Our terrain is mountainous, the roads twist and turn and wind,
some are extremely steep, they are poorly lit at night and riddled
with potholes, not to mention, bad drivers. There are no sidewalks
to speak of except in certain areas and you've got drop-offs and culverts on the sides of the majority of roads. You have to stay alert while driving any vehicle on our roads, much less a scooter or a bike. There are a couple roads on St. John that are hard to traverse when wet. Steep and slick!

I avoid certain roads when it's raining here on STT for that very reason as well.

Good luck to ya!

I just spent a week on St. Croix and did not once witness a dismissive attitude towards the traffic signs, rules. I drove for 10-12 hours each day I was there. Must have been a good week.

I have been warned, told not to venture the scooter or bicycling idea. I saw some bicyclers, but not within the more densely populated areas. I saw a couple of scooters and they struggled to make it up some of the hills.

Not trying to be rude but I am wondering how one can drive for 10 to 12 hour a day for a week on St. Croix.

The OP is going to St Thomas or St John. St Croix is MUCH flatter than STT/STJ - worlds apart topographically.

@dougtamjj. I must admit that I didn't drive continuously for 10-12 hours throughout the day, but never stopped at any one place for more than an hour and I was driving from one end of the island to another from around 8AM until 6-7PM each day. Since I was trying to get to know the island, I made a mission to see as much as I could. So, to be more accurate, I was out for 10-12 hours each day and most of the day was indeed driving.

It was some of the best driving I've done in a long time. Beautiful each day. Never felt in danger while on the road. Peaceful in so many ways.

But again, soccerprp, this is NOT about STX. 😀

he was answering a question that was asked of him

Hello,
I am moving down to either St. Thomas or St. John at the end of May/beginning of June. My plan is to buy a scooter or bike and ride just that for the first six months that I am there. I fully understand that there is a stormy and rainy period through the summer and fall. Is it enough to really mess up getting around on a scooter or bike? Getting a little wet doesn't bother me. Any input from people that live or have lived on island would be appreciated. Thanks.

Good day, VT2USVI -

You can find many more opinions on this topic by searching "scooter" in the archives.

I don't know if you were thinking of a bicycle or motorbike when you said "bike". Bicycling is not a good way to get around at all on STT or STJ. Even if you are seriously fit and want to tackle our mountainous grades, as Alana and OT noted, there isn't any room on most roads for cars to safely share the road with bicycles.

I have ridden scooters and motorcycles on STJ since 2008. I've never owned a car here, and it's been the right choice for me. If you are an experienced and cautious rider, you may enjoy getting around on a scooter (minimum 150cc) or motorcycle.

If you are an inexperienced rider or like to drink regularly, you'd be far better off walking, hitchhiking, or using public transportation while you save up for a car.

Hurricane season usually means there are some days where conditions are too poor for safe riding. High winds are often more dangerous to bikers than wet roads.

Hope this is helpful.