Scooters and Richmond

Credit: JAMES H. WALLACE/TIMES-DISPATCH

RTD talks with Chelsea Lahmers, owner of Scoot Richmond, about the growth of the scoot culture in RVA.

“The difference is huge,” says Chelsea Lahmers, proprietor of Scoot Richmond, which is devoted entirely to the sale and maintenance of scooters — a business that’s seen a boom in recent years, especially after Vespa re-entered the U.S. market in the early 2000s. “When I started doing mail-order parts in 2002, if you saw one driving during the day it was a miracle, and you knew that person,” Lahmers said.

When the price of gas went over $3 in 2008, the door didn’t stop swinging, she said. When gas hit $4, “it was nutso crazy busy in here.”

If you have a scooter and want to hang with other riders be sure to check out 7 Hills Scooter Club which organizes rides and events in and around RVA.