Bettie Jean from Boston

Elizabeth from Boston may be shy about why she's called "Bettie Jeane" but she's happy to share her love of scootering.

SG: How many & what make/model scooters do you have?

BJ: Recently sold a 79 P200E, have a 74 Primavera, looking for a few more bikes since I returned from Europe!

SG: How did you get started in scootering?

BJ: I had been interested in the subculture since high-school, but had actually never seen a scoot in my hometown. I had a friend into the scooter scene, and gained interest through him.

SG: Scootering in Boston seems to be taking off, to what do you credit the scooting resurgence?

BJ: East coast cities seem to be fitted for scooter riding. Between less than ample parking and rising gasoline prices, scooters seem to be the finest solution to the problem. One group starts in the city, and it'll tend to take off like wildfire. The east coast seems to be more interested in bikes that run solidly, and less in the actual aesthetics. Right up my alley!

SG: Are you in any scooter clubs?

BJ: Yes, the Boston Stranglers Scooter Club SG: What's the best part of scootering for you?

BJ: Riding of course, nothing like a late ride home from the bar in the fall with the chill in the air keeping you awake and leaves kicking up in your trail! The rallies just sweeten deal- masses of scooterists from all over, hums from Lambrettas versus Vespas, and two stroke filling the air.

SG: Any scooter-related goals for 2004?

BJ: Buy as many bikes as possible! Kit out the Primi, and maybe give her a well-deserved paint job.

SG: How far have you traveled for a rally?

BJ: I've forever had bad luck with riding to rallies, breakdowns, ect.. The furthest travelled, air-wise, is the ultimate rally, Las Vegas.

SG: Do you have a "favorite" rally?

BJ: What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. SG: Any advice for novice scootergals?

BJ: Don't be scared to open to engine! It's much easier than it looks, and there is no better feeling than putting it all together and riding it away!

SG: Do you have any non-scooter related obsessions or collections?

Records are a terrible vice. I recently did an eluding winter jaunt in the UK and Ireland, its just a shame the exchange rate didn't work to my advantage. SG: What is your scooter-related guilty pleasure? BJ: Bikes mostly, well running beater bikes. The outside is the last thing I care about.

SG: If you could have any custom scooter (money & parts availability being not an issue) what would you get?

BJ: With that said, as a beater bike girl- a straight running GS160 is my dream bike (think Stan Obal's beat to hell GS) or a TS1 kitted Lammy.

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