Petrol prices see scooter sales up

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GMI

Mopeds and motor scooters are increasingly becoming the vehicle of choice for the thrifty minded commuter with a near 70% increase in their sale around the country.

That trend is being credited to the rise in petrol prices.

"Well the past month in particular for the month of July the registrations for scooters in New Zealand have shown a 67% increase for the same month the previous year," says Clive Cooper-Smith from the NZ Motorbike Distributors Association.

Skyrocketing prices at the pump seem to be the main reason .

"The economy of the bike stacks up so well people just can't turn away from them," says Jason O'Carroll from Sportzone Suzuki.

The police want people to be aware that there is a significant safety risk with scooters.

"People riding that sort of vehicle have to be aware you're harder to see and if you have a crash inevitably your going to come of second best," says Inspector Erasmus.