Firm’s scooter invention commuters and holidaymakers (From Gazette)

Firm’s scooter invention commuters and holidaymakers

6:00pm Saturday 23rd July 2011 in Local News

A COMPANY which started off selling children’s scooters has found a new use for the three-wheeled toys.

Micro Scooters UK, of Coast Road, West Mersea, is selling a unique scooter, which incorporates a suitcase, allowing commuters and holidaymakers to save time by riding their luggage to their train or plane.

Co-founders of the company, Philippa Gogarty and Anna Gibson, set up the business in 2003, initially selling micro scooters aimed at three to five-year-olds.

A few months ago, they started selling the Micro Samsonite Scooter, a £250 suitcase with a three-wheeled scooter attached, allowing travellers to jump on their luggage and speed along.

Small enough to take on a plane as hand luggage, the clever commuter scooters are being hailed as the next big thing, even offering people a new way to get to work in the morning.

Mrs Gogarty said: “They have been much anticipated by commuters and the first ones that were released in Zurich, Switzerland, went like hot cakes.

“My husband had one at Geneva Airport and he whizzed through there. People are gradually getting to know what they are.”

Regular flyer, Paul Davis, 28, from Maldon Road, Colchester, said he would consider investing in the unusual suitcase, but admitted he would feel a bit self-conscious.

He said: “The little boy in me says it would be absolutely brilliant to race around Stansted Airport on my suitcase scooter, but the adult in me says maybe I would look a bit daft.

“I would worry about getting some strange looks, but apart from that, I think they look pretty cool.”