Australian Scooter Festival Gold Coast

The inaugural Australian Scooter Festival is to be held on the Gold Coast in early 2009.

Two-wheel transport is fast becoming recognised as an efficient and cost-effective solution for regular roadgoers, with significantly reduced journey times, registration and fuel costs sitting high on the list of advantages.  The numerous benefits that come with owning and riding a scooter are to be showcased at the inaugural Australian Scooter Festival to be held on the Gold Coast in early 2009.

To be held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre from February 20-22 2009, the ASF will showcase the nation’s most comprehensive range of scooter manufacturers and models under one roof, making it easier than ever for the first-time rider or devout enthusiast to compare features and cost.The  rapidly growing Gold Coast region has embraced the use of scooters, along with the benefits of improved traffic flow and the increased availability of public parking.

Exhibiting local and international manufacturers include Honda, Suzuki, Aprilia, Vespa, Yamaha, Sachs, TGB, SCP, Benelli, Gilera, Piaggio, Hyosung, MotoVert and Bug, with more to be confirmed as the event grows closer. The lineup includes entry-level 50cc to luxury 500 and 600cc scooters, and everything in between.

Mark Petersen of Exhibitions and Trade Fairs said the event was created to cater for a growing market of scooter enthusiasts and the range of quality manufacturers. “We feel the Gold Coast is the perfect place to introduce the first-ever Australian Scooter Festival – it’s a lifestyle that is actively embraced by tourists and locals alike,” said Petersen. “The city is expanding at a rapid rate and more and more people are recognising the benefits associated with riding a scooter to work or on the weekend,” he said. “What people may not realise is that there is such a variety of models on the market, for all budgets and all levels of riding experience.”

Petersen said he was enjoying the savings of scooter transport on the Gold Coast after switching from four to to wheels on weekdays. “I now fill up my 50cc scooter tank once a week, for around $6 compared to the $80 I was previously spending filling up.” “It’s a significant saving, and the freedom and mobility is fantastic.”

The event will also feature scooter test rides, demonstrations, a range of apparel and accessories displays and entry discounts for club members. Organisers are encouraging interstate visitors to contact one of the many scooter hire outlets on the Gold Coast and spend a weekend exploring all the Festival, and the picturesque region, has to offer.

Festivities will kick off a week prior, with the Le Minz 24 Hour Scooterthon set to make it’s highly-anticipated return to the Gold Coast Parklands venue. Designed as a endurance test for showroom-spec scooters, the event gauges the reliability and efficiency of leading models over a gruelling period of 24 hours – the longest event of its kind in the world. All scooters competing in the event will be on show at the Australian Scooter Festival, with winners’ trophies to be presented on the QBE Insurance stage.

The ASF is held in conjunction with the first-run Australian Motorcycle Expo Gold Coast and Australian Personal WaterCraft (PWC) Show. Tickets, which include entry to all three showcase events, start from just $13, with the Family Pass (2 adults and 2 children) offering unbeatable value at just $44.

Visit www.australianmotorcycleexpo.com.au for further information on the event.