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Getting around Bonaire: Moped/Scooter rental?
Bonaire Talk: Getting around Bonaire: Archives: Archives 1999 - 2006: Archives - 2006-06-01 to 2006-12-31: Moped/Scooter rental?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Padget Flowers (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 11:51 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi! My husband and I are planning a trip to Bonaire in Feb. or March of 2007 and we were thinking about renting 2 scooter/mopeds (is there a difference between a scooter and a moped?) to possibly use as our main mode of transportation. (We're not divers, so hauling equipment isn't a factor.) However, in all the chats and posts, I never see any mention of anyone doing this. Is there some reason this isn't a good idea? It just seems like it would be so much FUN to explore the island on a scooter! Also, I understand the roads in the National Park are really rough....would it be a bad idea to try to tour the National Park on a scooter?

As an aside, I really love this BonaireTalk chat forum. I've gotten SO much helpful information here that is obviously trustworthy, honest and well intentioned. Thanks, everyone!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mara Mara on the wall (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #742) on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 12:13 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hello Padget and welcome.

A scooter in the National Park is a no. Not only is it not a good idea, I don't think that they allow it. There are some ruts that might engulf you on the scooter ;-)

As for a main means of transport I think the one thing that might be an issue is securing the scooter wherever you are staying over night. Depending upon what your plans are for the week you may want to consider a scooter for a few days and a car for a few days as well.

On a side note - my maiden name is Padgett and had thought that if I had children of my own that I would name one of them Padget.

Have a FANTASTIC trip - I'm jealous as I don't have my next trip booked yet.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Antony Bond (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #123) on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 2:55 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi
A scooter is a great way to see the island. The difference between a scooter and a moped is that a moped is basically a bicycle with and engine and in most parts of the world (not Bonaire) has a different taxation class.

There is a paved road all around the island so the terrain is not a problem. However, to go inland a lot of the roads are dirt roads and are not suitable for two wheeled vehicles. Most of the roads out of Kralendijk are not well lit if at all.

It is not allowed to ride a scooter through the park but a bicycle is permitted.

Whether you choose either a moped or a scooter you will require a full drivers licence (a car licence is fine) not a provisional. For anything exceeding 50cc you will need a motorcycle licence. There are no helmet laws here (yet) but a few places do hire them.

As Mara Mara said, when unattended, scooters should be locked securely to a fixed post and in a well lit place. They can and do go missing.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Padget Flowers (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Thursday, September 14, 2006 - 10:34 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks so much, everyone, for your feedback about the scooter issue. I think we'll probably rent a car for the first day or two, then rent scooters and see how it goes from there. (And thanks, Antony, for the explanation about scooter vs. moped.)

(To Mara, Mara....how WONDERFUL that your maiden name is PADGETT!! (As I understand it, Padget was the family surname of my great, great grandmother in England.) And you should ABSOLUTELY name one of your children Padget. I have completely LOVED having Padget as my first name--I get several compliments on it almost every single day.)

I, too, am totally excited about our upcoming trip--I get these little butterflies in my stomach every time I think of it!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By pat murphy (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1024) on Thursday, September 14, 2006 - 3:39 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

padget, hope to see you at gibi's in feb or mar. tuesdays at 630PM

 


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