March 18, 2009 Commuters turn to scooters, bicycles in recession Play video

(NECN: Latoyia Edwards) - There are some vehicles that are beating the low sales trend, and they are helping new business owners get a strong foothold in the market.

As NECN's Latoyia Edwards discovered, consumers are still looking to buy new vehicles, but they're getting creative about the wheels they purchase.

Three longtime friends in Massachusetts lost their jobs to the recession but held onto their sense of adventure.

Dana: "We were trying to find something else to do with our careers something a Little bit more fun."

Metro west scooters was born-- the trio opened their Framingham, Massachusetts store in March-- they've found the down economy is helping their business

Dana: Our first sale was to a woman in her mid 40s who again was looking for a second vehicle to go the grocery store and the bank and to spend a little less money getting around town.

Scooter sales are booming nationwide- the motorcycle industry councilor reported a 41.5 percent sales climb from 2008 to 2007.

Saving money on gasoline is an easy sales pitch. The owners say it costs about 4 dollars to fill this tank.

Metrowest scooters start at about a thousand dollars each. Potential buyers are attracted to the scooter versus a motorcycle because scooters do not have a lot extra mandatory expenses

Scooter dealerships are not the only businesses benefiting from the recession. Cost conscious commuters are also flocking to bicycle shops.