Here we are doing subjective NYC scooter counts for this blog to determine when scooters were going to hit an inflection point, and then the “self-adoring” NY Post film & otherwise critic Kyle Smith publishes, “Hell on Wheels - The New York scooter craze is driving us nuts. It’s time to stop the madness, people!”

Inflection Point Hit!!!  Craze????!!!!

Oops sorry.  We just realized that we had a misprint. It’s not Kyle Smith who is “self-adoring.” Instead, it’s the “self-adoring zero emitters” as Kyle points out in the article.  Yea, that’s it.  

The NY Post has been on a crusade fighting on behalf of taxis, double parkers and city drivers for the past year against the new pedestrian plazas and bike lanes.  

Oh...right, we forgot.  The NY Post, of all publications by the way, is also fighting for the masses....fighting for the Pedestrian!  Go NY Post!  After all, we self adoring zero emitters happen to be pedestrians too - first and foremost, believe it or not.  Bikers know how to walk too, correct? Ahhh...but we are all such an easy target for the Pen!  What’s next?  Those irritating joggers?

The nice thing about a scooter is that you are always one step away from walking.  In a flash, a scooter rider can be instantly transformed into a beloved pedestrian - just like a jogger who can stop to walk with ease.

No matter what - we are excited that scooter riders are getting some equal time in the NY Post with bikers.  Again, inflection point hit!

Well, in the article, Kyle would prefer to see Pee Wee Herman on the scooter.  Guess he wants the movie theatre all to himself...for work purposes of course. Whoa! 

Xootrs made an impressive showing by hosting a booth at the Annapolis Sailboat Show early this October(http://www.usboat.com/us-sailboat-show/home).

How many people go to a boat show with the intention of buying a scooter? Not many, that’s for sure; a fold-up bike possibly, but not a scooter.

A common question from attendees as they strolled up to the Xootr booth and viewed the display was, “are they motorized?”

“Yes!… motorized by you!” was the salesman’s response.

Then came the salesman’s pitch, “Also, they are legal to ride on most sidewalks, are half the price of a cheap fold-up bike, stow easily in a boat or dingy, and only weigh 10 lbs but can carry up to 300 lbs.”

“I will break my leg.” was the typical chuckled response.

“Well”, said the salesman, anticipating that objection, “if you can ride a bike—in what is a compromised position when you think about it—you can certainly ride an adult kick scooter. After all, with a kick scooter, you are in a standing position, and are only one step away from walking or even standing.”

Eventually, curiosity got the best of a great many of the booth visitors. So, off to the parking lot they went for a Xootr sea-trial. When they took to the tarmac, the Xootr sold itself. The ease, smoothness and effortless speed of the ride was clearly unanticipated by the prospective buyers.

Interestingly, most buyers were typically live-a-boards who immediately grasped the cost / benefit of the Xootr over a fold-up bike. Live-a-boards were tired of their folding bikes kicking around the deck of the boat and rusting, or taking up space in the cabin. Also, transferring their folder to a tender at a mooring was too much of a hassle. The Xootr, on the other hand, proved to be extremely portable. In fact, some discovered the possibility of the Xootr doubling as an occasional dock cart. Try doing that with a folder.

Other unique buyers were near-by Washington DC commuters who loved to take public transportation, but the stops were just not convenient walking distance. Some felt like they discovered the Holy Grail to DC commuting when they tested the Xootr. Many of us in New York City agree.

Then there were the buyers who just loved the Xootr itself, the design and ride. For example, one 40-something Xootr prospect came with a foursome of friends. He saw the Xootr display, and enthusiastically said, “Oh wow…I definitely have to try one of these.” So, out to the parking lot he went with the salesman and his buddies in tow.

While the potential buyer was zipping around the lot, clearly in awe of the ride, one of his friends turns to the salesman and said jokingly, “If you can’t sell that guy one of these, you are a terrible salesman.”

With that, the potential buyer, who is not even aware of the price, scoots back towards the salesman and his friends, and bellows, “I will take two!”

“Wow…you’re better than I thought!” said the friend to the salesman.

Moral of the story: The Xootr sells itself - even to discriminating sailors.