Growing up from Scooter to Motorbike, Sami Kefalonia, mid June 2013

Tioram 4
Tina & Tony
Sat 20 Jul 2013 09:51

Hi all,

 

In the past the Greek laws for the hiring of Scooters and motorbikes seemed to be as relaxed as the Greek people.  Scooters of all sized engines were hired out to tourists and blissfully without helmets.

I know I hear you say, ‘Its dangerous’, but at the speed Tony and I travel by scooter, it has never been an issue. Once, on the island of Zakinthos in 1995, the first time we hired a scooter, we were, it is true, passed by a very elderly gentleman on a bicycle……..and on the flat…….not down a hill!!!  Helmets were not necessary for us…. and the sense of freedom in touch with the surroundings was wonderful.

 

With the laws changing here or more so,  being ‘enforced’, helmets are required to be worn by all…………except the locals !! We now wear them.

Now also the maximum Scooter CC to hire is 50cc on a normal driving license.  Tony and I are not small people and the conversation turns to a debate about which one of us will get off to walk when we go up the steep hills!!

This is not our biggest problem. On a 50cc scooter, the wheel base is so short that with Tonys long legs he can’t turn the handle bars enough to make the bends without me sitting on the rear mud guard ! Funny, but getting more dangerous.

 

And so…..

 

Tony took a course last winter and passed his test to drive motorbikes YEH!!!!

We still travel at the speed of a scooter, although not yet passed by a bicycle, my days of sitting on the mud guard and getting off for the steep hills have past and we are enjoying exploring in comfort.

 

Photos of …..

Motorbike dudes around Kefalonia.

 

Love to all

T and T x x x

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