If you see them on the road, don’t be shy. Just wave and say “hello.”

In an effort to save themselves a little money, five teachers from Adam School in Santa Maria have taken to riding motorized scooters to work, leaving their behemoth SUVs and trucks at home.

Intervention teacher Maureen Staunton, sixth-grade teacher Joy Snyder, fourth-grade teacher Lora Carter, second-grade teacher Lupe Murguia and fifth-grade teacher Don Weeks say what initially began as a cost-controlling measure when gas prices went sky high has made their daily commute something to look forward to rather than dread.

“When you ride to work, you don’t need coffee,” Staunton said. “And if you’ve had a bad day, by the time you get home you’re in a great mood.”

Over the summer, gas prices rose to as much as $4.75 a gallon on the Central Coast, prompting Murguia to buy a Vespa in time for the start of the school year.

The move made sense, as filling up a scooter costs less than $5 for a full tank, which lasts approximately 100 miles.

Soon, Murguia’s four co-workers took her lead and purchased their own scooters, turning her solo act into a quintet.

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“(The scooter) is fun to ride. It’s a kick,” Staunton said, adding that she doesn’t think she could ever go back to commuting by car full-time.

When the five — who all live near each other — ride to work together, they make quite a scene.

“It’s like a parade,” Snyder said. “People wave.”

To add to the fun, each teacher has personalized his or her helmet.

Staunton put star appliqu/s on hers; Murguia’s helmet sports grapes as a testament to her love of wine; Snyder’s showcases a bold leopard print; an eagle graces Week’s helmet; and Carter’s has flowers.

And the bonding experience has extended beyond the daily commute. The members of the group have become fast friends and often go on scooter runs on weekends and during vacations.

The rides, however, have not been without the occasional mishap, like the time a bee managed to find its way into Snyder’s clothing.

“I kept getting stung, so I pulled over. I shook my clothes and out came a dead bee,” Snyder said with a laugh.

Also, Snyder hasn’t ridden her scooter to work since fracturing an ankle while riding a motorcycle; scooter owners can ride with a permit for a year, but eventually have to get their motorcycle license.

However, Snyder said riding a scooter should pose no problem for most people.

“It’s for those wh o always wanted to ride a motorcycle but were too chicken. You can always ride a scooter,” she said.

November 28, 2008