Got questions about buying or owning a scooter, or riding in Chicago? Check out the Vespa Club of Chicago Scootering Guide.

Do I specifically need a Vespa scooter to join VCOA-Chicago?

No! The Vespa Club of Chicago welcomes all scooters and all scooterists! That said, we must impose limits when riding as a group to ensure everyone’s safety:

All riders participating in our group rides must ride street-legal vehicles (titled, plated, and insured) and must be properly licensed for their vehicle. Most of our rides (unless noted) accommodate 50cc scooters that can keep up at approximately 45mph. Electric vehicles are welcome if they meet the above specifications. We ride in traffic at traffic speeds and obey traffic laws. If you must run lights, weave in and out of the group, or ride in the bike lane to keep up with the group, or insist on stunt-riding, you’re creating an unsafe situation for the whole group, and we’ll ask you to catch up with us later.

Motorcycles and maxiscooters are welcome, but we ask that you stay towards the back on the group rides to let the smaller bikes set the pace. If we’re too slow for you, jump on the highway and meet us at the end of the ride.

People-wise, we welcome (and thankfully attract) all ages, genders races, colors, creeds, and (most) musical tastes. So long as you have an open mind and can respectfully co-exist with others, you will be welcome at our events.

Note that some events organized by others have their own rules regarding specific requirements for scooters, such as marques or vintage, but we’ll do our best to be clear about such exceptions in our listings.

But a Vespa Club should… (frantic stuttering)…

Yes, we know… International Vespa clubs and events are limited to Vespas only. In most of the world, the Vespa is a familiar icon, on a pedestal, in a class of its own. But things are different here. When the VCOA was founded in the 1990s, “Vespa” had never really been a household name in the U.S., and Piaggio had been out of the market for a decade. Promoting the Vespa in the U.S.A. means promoting all scootering. A rising tide sells all scooters. We sure love the Vespa, and most of our members eventually end up with one, but we welcome them all, there simply aren’t enough motorscooters in the this country to get elitist about it.

How do I join the VCOA Chicago Chapter?

Simply join the VCOA! In the national membership form, under “organization,” choose “Vespa Club of Chicago” Be sure to subscribe to our local newsletter, too.

Not a member yet? You’re welcome to come to most of our events and follow our newsletter and social media, but we hope you’ll soon see the value in the club, and start paying dues (only $35/year).

What sort of events does the Vespa Club of Chicago organize?

We host a regular “meetup” every month, which is mostly just an excuse to hang out and socialize (and in decent weather, ride!). We also organize at least one other ride or event every month, we try to mix up times dates and locations, both for variety and so people with complicated schedules can attend at least some of our events. In the temperate months, it’s usually a group ride and/or some sort of outdoor get-together. In the winter, it’s more likely to be a ‘garage night’ (to work on bikes) or a get-together at a restaurant, bar, or coffeeshop. We share other (non-Vespa Club of Chicago) events on our calendar, as well. Our events are marked with a blue flag.)

Do your events cost money?

We generally don’t collect a fee to participate in our events.You’ll probably want to bring some money for gas, food, and drink. Sometimes there’s an admission fee or cover charge at our destination. We’ll be clear about that in the event listings. Some events that we co-sponsor or participate in, such as weekend rallies, might have a registration fee that covers a patch, goodie bag, and food/drink/entertainment… again, check the event description or event webpage for more details.

Can I rent a scooter in Chicago?
Vespa Club of Chicago member Lola operates Second City Sirens Scooter Rentals and offers a variety of scooters for rent, drop her a line!

Find answers to lots more questions in the
Vespa Club of Chicago Guide to Scootering