I'm just talking theoretically as I have no plans to get a scooter... but I'm wondering what would be going thru the minds of a car commuter, stuck in traffic, paying high gas prices...

I can get a new scooter, Honda SES 125 Dylan for £1500 with 2 year warranty (but it's a Honda so I wont need it). I already have a helmet but suppose I didn't, I would spend £50 on one. Fuel would be £30 per month, insurance £100 per year. Call it £2000.

I can also get a very good bike for £1000. I have all my cycling gear, but suppose I was starting from scratch, then I'd need £200 for accessories (clipless pedal + shoes + clothing + lights + airpump). Call it £1200.

So for £800 more, I'm getting a scooter, that's more comfortable, as fast as a car on the freeway, faster than a car in traffic, just as easy to park as a bike. Not only would I get to my destination faster (than a car or a bike), I wouldn't need to waste time taking a shower or be concerned about work clothes that were [relatively] crease-free. Same thing on the way back, would be faster and wouldn't need to shower.

Scooter would require less maintenance, stores items securely in it's compartment, can be used for seeing friends when going out and socializing (no sweat, no smell) and dont need to wear funny clothes with cleated-shoes (ok that last bit's an option, you dont have to wear funny clothes and cleated shoes, but your pedalling efficiency would go down and your drag would also be higher thru the wind).

So if one has a car and was considering either a scooter or a bike to commute on, what would one choose?