Scooters vs Cars

Not the preffered mode of transportation. Don't do it!

RL

I would have thought a scooter or motorbike would be perfect on an island. Is there something I don't know?
Crys

Hills are steep and winding, people drive like crazy. I could get my tenant with the broken wrist he got last week in STJ tell you more!

RL

Do many people have motorcycles around there? I would think that between the winding roads (great fun on two wheels) the weather and the cost of 4 wheeled travel that motorcycles would be popular.

Crystal, You do have to license scooters & motorycycles. For regulations you can review the Driver's Manual for the VI at: (Cut and paste the link)

www.virginislandsdailynews.com/VIRGIN_ISLANDS_DRIVERS_MANUAL.pdf

Jmehlin, motorcycles and scooters aren't all that popular, but there are some.

--Islander

To Crystal and jmehlin: The winding roads are narrow, steep and have no shoulders. While the weather is warm, there are frequent tropical showers and occasional downpours. Did I mention pot holes the size of the Pacific Trench? The local drivers do not look for things like scooters and motorcycles. To add insult to injury, there is a neurosurgeon who visits occasionally, not here full-time. Now, Marty will give you the upside of motorcycle driving....

It's true, I favor 2 wheels to four, but I don't recommend it for those that are inexperienced. Here on STT we now have TWO motorscooter rental places, and tourists are constantly having trouble here.

Now, for those of us that live and ride here, there are still a few caveats. First off, the culture here is not bike oriented, so the drivers aren't on the "look out" for us. That makes it bad enough, but, then when you factor in the curvy roads (which I used to LOVE in the States...here they are a hinderance, not a pleasure), steep hills, frequent showers, oil-dripping cars and trucks, driving on the left, tourists driving rental cars with that "deer in the headlights" look in their eyes (remember, they are dealing with not knowing the roads, diving on the left, rubbernecking at the views, etc.), unexpected weather, oh, the list goes on and on.

For me, I wouldn't give up my two bikes (Harley & Honda) to ride in a cage for anything. Being able to breeze right by the traffic is such a plus (ya know that space between the double yellow lines in the road? That's the bike lane! Har-har!)...the weather is great...gas mileage...parking...this list goes on and on, too. After you get here, rent a couple scooters for the day and see how comfortable you are. If you are at all uncomfortable, then it's probably not a good idea to buy them.

If you decide that this is the way for you to go, then remember to buy a GOOD helmet (I was passing an off-duty cop and he swerved over to mess with me, but swerved too far and hit me. Six days in ICU, tramatic brain injury, had to re-learn how to walk, talk, ABC's, etc. I was wearing a tiny little brain bucket like the ones they give you at the rental places. They offer ZERO protection. I now have a good, full-face helmet). Also remember to carry a rain jacket. Never drive in the center of your lane, especially when it's wet. Drive on either the left or right of the lane, very slowly, on wet roads. When passing traffic, be extra cautious, as some drivers get irritated that they are sitting in traffic and we are just blowing by them, that they will swerve, or open their door, or throw something out the window, etc. It's definitely an adventure! haha! Seriously, though, be very cautious...it seems that there is always a surprise around every corner.

Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions.

It's true, I favor 2 wheels to four, but I don't recommend it for those that are inexperienced. Here on STT we now have TWO motorscooter rental places, and tourists are constantly having trouble here.

Now, for those of us that live and ride here, there are still a few caveats. First off, the culture here is not bike oriented, so the drivers aren't on the "look out" for us. That makes it bad enough, but, then when you factor in the curvy roads (which I used to LOVE in the States...here they are a hinderance, not a pleasure

Dear Marty,

I'm not quite sure why you posted twice within a very short timespan and I'm not sure why you continue to tout motorbikes (albeit with warnings!) as an alternate method of transportation in any of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

You were a prime example of a bike rider who got very badly bashed up and spent a whole bunch of reconstructive time in our local hospital. We all empathize you.

That you continue to ride your bike and enjoy your bike is up to you but I suppose I just have a bit of a problem when you go on about the advantages of motorbike-riding, whether the bikes be scooters or Harley-type roadsters, Caveat emptore?

Pease don't lead newbies astray into thinking or fantasizing that either scooters or motorbikes are a viable option,

Thanks for the information - it's good to hear both sides. I'm sure that motorcycle riding is far more dangerous than it is in the mainland, I would imagine that driving in general is. I think that if/when we decide to make our move that I won't be doing my first bit of driving on two wheels - although as someone who has driven motorcycles since I was a little kid (my first was a 50cc dirt bike, it was the only thing small enough for me to physically ride) - I'm sure you may see me exploring the islands on my bikes. Hearing that the one Nuerosurgeon is come and go makes me glad that I spared no expense on my helmets.

I think the statement that "scooters or motorbikes aren't a viable option" may be a little extreme. Dispite never having seen the enviroment, I would still argue that motorcycle travel may still be viable in certin situations, maybe not as the sole form of transport, but I would imagine that it would still be a viable way to explore and enjoy the island. Again- just like in the mainland, probably not the best sole form of transport. If anybody reading this is considering bringing a bike, I wouldn't if your not able to do 100% of the maintenance on it. Hearing that there is only two scooter rental shops wouldn't make it easy to get your newer high-end cruiser worked on. Maybe I should open up a shop, lol - anybody down there see a market for a skilled motorcycle/auto mechanic? I'm licensed to work on aircraft as well! I was planning on having my wife make all the money (like now) but that house with a view sure looks nice.

You might want to consider moving to STX. There is always a need for more mechanics to work on aircraft here.

STT Res-

I think I give the readers all of the information that they need to know to make an informed decision...don't you? For me, the bike is the only way to go. I also realize that for ost, it's not. I've had once since I was 8 years old, and I'll have them till I die (hopefully not ON one! Haha!). For most visitors, renting a scooter sounds like a great idea...until they get a load of what driving here is like. I lived here for about 3 years before I decided to get back to two wheels, and I think that it's a fine idea for everyone to do...get used to four wheels here, before you decide to do two. And, yes, it's true that I had a major accident here, but, then again, I've had major accidents in every State that I have lived in. Why? Cuz, let's face it, bikes are dangerous! But, so is skydiving...and I LOVE that, too! Everyone makes the decisions that are the best for them at the time they make them. Sure, sometimes hindsight is 20/20, but, what fun would that be? To each his own, I always say.

Crystal,

You state, "I would have thought a scooter or motorbike would be perfect on an island. Is there something I don't know?"

Yes. Have you ever been to the islands? Though this bboard is informative you will need to visit the islands to find out what you don't know. A visit will likely clarify for you the infeasibility of using two-wheeled transportation on island. Island roads are steep, curvy and narrow. Tourists in rental cars are unfamiliar with driving on the left and are often more focused on the views than their driving. You may round a blind curve and find the road blocked by donkeys or cows. STX is more level though riders there must still contend with frequent rain showers making the oil on the road surface slick, enormous potholes, etc.

You have made several recent posts on the board about car insurance, apartment rentals etc. and all of those things are best done when you are on island. Many people make inquiries about insurance, apartments etc. and then fail to follow through so providers of the services you are seeking tend to be jaded and are unlikely to extend themselves to help you because they have no way of telling who is serious and who is just fantasizing. You will be able to find the answers to your questions when you visit and meet with service providers one on one.

jmehlin,

You state, "Dispite never having seen the enviroment," you think STT Resident's statement that scooters or motorbikes aren't a viable option "may be a little extreme." In evaluating the feasibility of performing an activity on island, common sense dictates that the argument made by an island resident is far more persuausive than the argument made by someone who admits they've never even seen the island.

Dear dntw8up,

Thanks! I just responded to Crystal's question about insurance as I've responded to several of Crystal's questions. Those of us old-timers and seasoned newbies really do try our best to answer questions posed by potential newcomers but those questions do become rather wearing over time, particuarly when so many of them pose questions which could be answered if they would only research this awesome forum properly.

I really try not to get testy and try to give newcomers information - but it gets very hard sometimes! Cheers..

Though I do agree with the " You have to be on island to find out" attitude, my husband and myself are moving there due to his job . This is not something we had thought of for our future. We are determined to make the most of it, however the thought of leaving everything behind and wandering blindly through this adventure is not something we want to do. If ya'll can't be a little understanding of that.....
We do have a contact person down there at this point and I will ask her my wearing questions.
Thank you all for what help you did give and I still hope to meet most of you when we get down there around the first of the year.
Have a good day and god bless.
Crystal