Kick scooters glide their way into Jakarta<\/p>\n
By Danielle Bray<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Move over skateboard, out of the way
\nrollerblades. Make room for the latest fad in foot-powered
\ntransportation -- the kick scooter. These modified skateboards,
\nequipped with a handlebar and a rear brake, have become the
\nhottest means of transportation for the youth of the new
\nmillennium.<\/p>\n
During test-marketing in the United States, the scooters were
\nprimarily bought by three groups of people: Young professionals,
\ncollege students and nostalgic adults.<\/p>\n
Scooters were popular among the poodle skirt-wearing, bobby
\nsock-clad youth of the 1950's. They have since been modified for
\nthe consumption of today's youth. Similar to their predecessors,
\nthe scooters consist of a basic board on two wheels, steered by
\nhandlebars and powered by the feet.<\/p>\n
However, the new version is manufactured from lightweight
\nmetals, sports shock-absorbent wheels and is sleeker in design.
\nIt offers smooth riding through congested sidewalks and is
\ncollapsible for convenient storage.<\/p>\n
While kids scooters have been available for decades, the newly
\ndesigned kick scooter is the first high performance, folding mode
\nof transportation intended for teenagers and adults.<\/p>\n
On flat surfaces, the scooter's glide is about as effortless
\nas that of a bicycle. When pushed uphill, they are lighter than a
\nbike.<\/p>\n
These scooters are coasting their way across the globe. They
\nhave a moderate following in North America, Europe, Japan and are
\nnow being sold in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
In Jakarta, these skateboards with handlebars, known as the
\nGlider IIK, are available in certain places like Pondok Indah
\nMall and Plaza Senayan, or some sports stores. This particular
\nmodel is made from lightweight aluminum, and is manufactured in
\nTaiwan.<\/p>\n
The handlebars are adjustable, and have a vast turning range,
\nallowing the operator to weave around objects with ease. The
\nplatform is large enough for two feet to rest on, one behind
\nanother, and the ride apparently is quite smooth.<\/p>\n
The Glider IIK is selling at a rapid rate in Jakarta. They
\nappeared on the scene three months ago, and are quite a hot item.
\nA sales associate at MG Sports & Fitness in Plaza Senayan says
\nthat "on average, we sell approximately seven units a day, and
\nmore on the weekends". They ordered in new stock, as they sold
\nout of their first shipment in a matter of weeks.<\/p>\n
A lady who had purchased a scooter for her son, Enrico, said,
\n"He saw all the other children riding them at Senayan Square and
\nhe wanted one as well."<\/p>\n
These units are sold to those with money to spend. They are
\nadvertised at Rp 790,000 for the larger model, and Rp 448,000 for
\nthe smaller version. They are not marketed as a toy, and the
\nslogan "Can be used for recreation, sports, transportation to
\nschool, the office and for shopping" is printed on the flyers
\nthat accompany the product.<\/p>\n
Aris, a salesman at Gramedia in Pondok Indah Mall, remarked,
\n"These products have been in the store for three months, and have
\nbeen selling very well, I've sold 50 Gliders in the past four
\nweeks."<\/p>\n
Rudy James Tikoalu recently purchased the smaller version of
\nthe foot-powered scooter for his eight-year old son Tafito.<\/p>\n
He said, "I have one friend who has a similar scooter; we ride
\nthem around the neighborhood".<\/p>\n
His father does not allow him to ride it to school or anywhere
\nnear the street. "It is far too dangerous with the traffic.
\nHowever, it is very safe in a controlled community and around the
\nhouse," he said.<\/p>\n
Soraya H. Shakti has just returned from a trip to Santa
\nMonica, California, where she rented a scooter to ride up and
\ndown the pier. "They are very easy to ride, and are quite
\nrelaxing. I enjoyed it so much that I bought two to bring home to
\nJakarta." She added that she, along with her son, plans to ride
\nthem around the neighborhood. "I bought mine in the U.S., as I
\ndidn't realize they would be available in Jakarta so soon."<\/p>\n
Claudia Motz, a visitor from London, commented: "They are
\nquite common in the U.K.; I see them everywhere. People are so
\nconcerned about the environment these days, so they have become a
\npractical means of transportation."<\/p>\n
It is apparent that in other parts of the world, the scooter
\nis mainly purchased by young adults, and used as a mode of
\ntransportation. However, in Jakarta, where the sidewalks are
\nbarely accessible to foot passengers, and the traffic would
\nmerely crush a kick scooter and its rider, they tend to sell more
\nrapidly to children for the sheer sense of enjoyment.<\/p>\n
According to a salesman at MG Sports & Fitness in Plaza
\nSenayan, locals buy the scooters due to their simplicity of
\noperation, the enjoyment factor and because they are easy to
\nmaintain.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kick-scooters-glide-their-way-into-jakarta-1447893297",
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