Crazy bicycle idea

[Christi]

seriously? Bag the bikes. We went to a shop downtown, right off the main square and negotiated a 16 dollar a day rate for a scooter including gas and everything.

It was a BLAST. We had a ball zipping around on that scooter and we pretty much covered the island. We went from the lighthouse clear down to El Cedral and back, we went from our hotel (mi casa en cozumel) to the dive shop (DWM) and back with all our gear (gear in a bag on the foot rest between my knees) and with me and the wife on it no problem.

I was worried about it cause I'm huge (6'5" and about 330 lbs) and my wife is very tall 5'11" and I thought it would struggle. it did 60kph easily and was easy to drive.

They are also very easy to park anywhere. A bike would be fun but nowhere Near the utility a scooter gave us. I'd look into that. Ours was about 100 for the entire time we were there. You couldn't buy or ship a bike for less than that and I think you'd lose the bike between every trip, or the tires would be flat or something.

honestly, we had as much or more fun zipping around the island on the scooter as we did diving. And I think we saw pretty much every place on the island, or close to it.

And you're among the very few that didn't come home with road rash or worse.

Do a search for moped rentals here, and you'll probably learn alot and probably think twice before you do it again.

UCRTWF = PLEEASE DO NOT RENT A SCOOTER....THIS IS HORRIBLE ADVICE!!!!! Especially as the island gets busier for high season.
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[Diver Kat]

Do a search for moped rentals here, and you'll probably learn alot and probably think twice before you do it again.

UCRTWF = PLEEASE DO NOT RENT A SCOOTER....THIS IS HORRIBLE ADVICE!!!!! Especially as the island gets busier for high season.
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Yup ... listen to Christi on this one!! You can even Goggle Cozumel scooter or moped accidents and you'll get lots of links about accidents that occurred, or why not to rent a scooter .... you're probably much, much safer on a bicycle!!

 

[ucrtwf]

Please don't worry about me renting a scooter. If they had anything close to real motorcycles down there, I'd be all over it. I've ridden for over 30 years, in all conditions (120 foot jumps on dirt bikes, 250 hp turbo street bikes), the 14 hp scooters would be well within my control. The drivers in Coz aren't any worse than down town Chicago (trust me). My wife also rides street bikes and she can handle her own as well. While on vacation, we were looking for some easy, cheap, and relaxing way to get around the island. From the post (and our options), we'll probably do as we did back in May... walk when we want to, and take a cab when we want to relax. We have no need to raise our stress level with a scooter, or car. We're there to dive, relax, eat, and drink... that's it.
Thanks for everyone's input. Christi, we'll have to swing by just to say hi. Your input has been invaluable on our last trip (your restaurant list ruled!!).
Take care,
Tim and Lisa

 

[ggunn]

seriously? Bag the bikes. We went to a shop downtown, right off the main square and negotiated a 16 dollar a day rate for a scooter including gas and everything.

[...]

Honestly, we had as much or more fun zipping around the island on the scooter as we did diving. And I think we saw pretty much every place on the island, or close to it.

I'm glad it worked out for you, but lots of gringos in Mexico who aren't accustomed and/or experienced in getting around on scooters get hurt on them. Some even get killed. Scooter injuries are the #1 cause of emergency room visits and ambulance calls for gringos on Cozumel. I have several friends who have been injured on scooters in Mexico, and two of them died from their injuries.

 

[goneballistic]

wow! That's scary! Actually come to think of it, when we were coming through customs on the way home, there were three couples behind us in line traveling together. Two of the three guys had crashed their scooters and were banged up pretty bad :11doh:

Of course, I didn't think anything of it because they were all carrying huge sacks of duty free booze and I'm pretty sure being sauced was a major factor in their wrecks.

We were very careful and I ride an old honda trail 110 here almost daily so I'm pretty used to scooter riding so I felt as safe as on a bike. We were about 20-30KPH 95% of the time so even in a wreck I'm only going to road rash, unless someone runs me over, but that's a risk just standing anywhere near a road anyway.

I guess bikes would be a good idea if you were not comfortable on a scooter but man, they don't give you access to nearly as much of the Island. Still, better a little restrained than all hamburger'ed up if you're not comfortable on them


One interesting point Christi made is that we were there during the lull in seasons and traffic was not bad at all. I would be more nervous in a scooter during very heavy traffic times but I'd probably still take one. I'd just ride a little more conservatively.