Polished chrome. Oiled seats. White-wall tires. A distinct sound. Maximum speed 50 mph.

When Brigham's Bees Scooter Club gets together with their tanks full and helmets on, they enjoy the unique style and camaraderie while riding Italian Vespa scooters.

"The only thing better than riding a Vespa, is riding with other people on Vespas," said Burke Olsen, a senior from North Salt Lake majoring in public relations. "The riders appreciate what I appreciate; we just have a lot of fun."

Vespa rider Breniman Green, started Brigham's Bees Scooter Club of Provo-Orem in the spring of 2001.

The club began with just three original members, but in a matter of a year, the club grew into something much larger. Through word of mouth and by flagging down Vespa riders, the club has grown to over 35 members.

Scooter enthusiasts of all ages, backgrounds and occupations said they enjoy coming together and riding as a group.

"If you've never ridden with a group, it only takes once to get hooked," said Green, a senior from Redlands, Calif., majoring in history.

The club goes on about 10 rides a year, most taking place during the summer months. Group ride destinations have included the Alpine Loop, Utah Lake, American Fork Canyon and Las Vegas.

"I enjoy the Alpine Loop, especially in the fall with colors changing. It's the most scenic ride and makes for a relaxing couple of hours," Green said.

Many of the club's members drove to Las Vegas to be part of the High Roller Scooter Weekend during the Olympics. There they enjoyed a four-hour ride from Las Vegas to Hoover Dam with over 300 scooter enthusiasts from all over the United States.

"It was incredible to be part of hundreds of vintage scooters as far as the eye could see," Green said.

Green said he was amazed by the distinct personality of each scooter. Some people enjoy their scooter's vintage style and others enjoy the flashiness of attaching as many accessories as possible to their scooter like chrome mirrors, crash bars and custom wheels, he said.

According to the Federation Internationale des Vespa Club, the Brigham's Bees Scooter Club is just one of many clubs in 24 countries across the world that enjoy admiring, restoring and riding Vespa scooters, which have been around for 50 years.

Throughout the country, members of Vespa clubs are gathering together on weekends and for annual events to share their hobby and to show off their scooters.

"Our club was formed to provide a good way of organizing Vespa scooter riders in Seattle into a group that does not revolve around music, fashion or one particular lifestyle, but simply held together by the love of the Vespa scooter," said Victor Voris, president of the Vespa Club of Seattle. "The main mission of the club is to promote both the Vespa scooter and the good will of its many diverse riders to our community."

The Brigham's Bees Scooter Club had its largest turn out yet on Independence Day with 22 scooters, riding in the Freedom Festival parade through Provo.

"We had an awesome time," Olsen said. "We did some cool routines and got some great exposure for the club. It was cool to show off how fun scootering can be. I had a smile on my face during the whole parade."

Two years ago, Olsen purchased a 1964 Vespa 150 S. He said he first fell in love with Vespa's unique style while serving an LDS mission in Scotland. Olsen said he searched for two years before finally purchasing his own Vespa, imported from Spain, at a shop in Provo.

"I love my scooter," Olsen said. "The best part about it is the ease of finding parking on campus, not to mention taking girls for rides. It's just so cool."

Green said he also enjoys the economical aspect of riding a scooter.

"I spend at most $2.50 on gas every two weeks and insurance is $100 a year," he said. "I ride all year round except when there is snow on the ground. My scooter is perfect for me being in college."

Green was first introduced to Vespas when he was 10 years old. A friend of his older brother rode a Vespa and as a child Green said he remembers thinking the scooter was pretty cool. Years later, Green bought a 1980 P200 Vespa from the same friend so he could have transportation around crowded San Francisco.

Green's love of Vespas hasn't stopped with only one. He is currently working on restoring a 1964 150 Super.

"I want something a little older, more of a classic," Green said. "It's a great experience and a challenge to build something on your own. It will be my own scooter from inside and out."



Copyright Brigham Young University 10 Jan 2003