Newport’s Tiny Cars Are the Perfect Way to See the City by the Sea

If the thought of visiting Newport sounds super fun, but driving through Newport sounds like a nightmare, buckle up. The it’s-not-a-go-kart-it's-a-motorcycle is for you.

They’ve been around for a long time, but unless you go into Newport, you probably haven’t noticed these little Mario kart looking rental cars. In fact, if I knew these existed, I would probably be more open to the idea of going to Newport for the day.

Technically, though, the ScootCoup is a motorcycle. It only looks like a car because, well, its shell is literally that of a car, with headlights and taillights, and the drivers don't need to wear helmets under Rhode Island law. Seeing two people sitting side by side in this little car thing is a bit confusing, but to be clear, it is absolutely a member of the motorcycle family; a cruising scooter, if you will.

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This street-legal tiny ride tops out at 30 miles per hour, and some need-for-speed folks may think that’s slow, but for most of us, it's the perfect speed for sightseeing and letting the wind blow through our hair. It will definitely give you a taste of what avid motorcyclists refer to as "wind therapy."

ScootCoups are super small, making them much easier to park in the mostly congested Newport area. It even has a locking trunk (again, confusing us as to whether or not this is a car or motorcycle) so you can park it, walk around, do some shopping, toss your bags in the trunk and be on your way.

Also, as a motorcycle does, it has handlebars with handbrakes, not a steering wheel, so you don’t have to worry about trying to adjust your feet to hit pedals or any of that nonsense.

If you plan on doing some stay-cationing as the summer winds down, maybe you can book this wind therapy session for yourself and enter the back-to-school season less stressed.