The Kymco People 150

Me on my Kymco People 150 in downtown Davis

When looking into Ergonomic Research, we can see that it is the process of creating a product that is designed for a specific use.  Most people instead have the idea of office objects when thinking about ergonomics, such as office chairs, special keyboards, and desks.  However, ergonomics do not only apply to office equipment.  Instead, it is basically the design of task appropriate objects that are user centered.  The Etymology of the word comes from the Greek “ergon” which means to work and “nomos” which means laws.  There are five areas of Ergonomic Research, which are safety, comfort, ease of use, performance or productivity, and aesthetics.  We can apply these steps of research to any object to see if the object is success or has failed in the realm of user-centered function. 

            I have a Kymco People 150 scooter in the wine red color, and it is how I get around campus and Davis instead of using a car.  It is 150cc meaning that it is both normal road and freeway legal, and honestly, I think it is the best purchase I have ever made.  Let’s apply it to the five areas of research.  When it comes to safety, any motorcycle, whether it be a small one like my scooter or a huge Harley Davidson, is not exactly safe.  The risks of riding a motorcycle are enormous from the dangers of being on a bike that is 45+ mph to the lack of a seatbelt to the other drivers around you in cars that would crush a motorcycle in a second.  However, when a person gets their motorcycle license and buys a bike, they are fully aware of these facts so let’s look at the actual safety of the scooter.  It rides very smoothly which means no wobbling and grips to the road well.  Turns are smooth as well and it is very easy to maneuver.  Not to mention the head and tail lights are very bright and the left and right indicators work well.  I would say that as a scooter goes, this one is very safe.  Now on to comfort.  This scooter has a very large cushioned seat for the rider, which is soft and padded.  The knee room is huge and the angle at which the handlebars are placed makes using the throttle and breaks very easy.  And as I said before, the ride is very smooth.  The ease of use is next, and it actually relates to the safety.  For a motorcycle, safety and ease of use go hand in hand because if the bike is safe, the bike will be easy to use.  You have complete control over the Kymco People and the handling of the bike is as good as it gets.  As performance goes, this scooter is top of its class.  It is fast, powerful, and gets you from A to B quickly and efficiently.  I have had no troubles with it so far.  Lastly is aesthetics and let me tell you, this scooter looks good.  It is made in the classic Italian style with a great finish.  The detailing makes the scooter look expensive when in fact it is much cheaper to buy than its competitor the Vespa.  There is no wonder that Consumer Reports in 2010 rated the Kymco People 150 the best scooter on the market in all aspects.  I love this bike and as a college student, it fits all my needs. I can even ride up to class and park it outside after I bought a $70 parking permit (a very small price to pay for such convenience).  The ergonomics of this scooter were clearly studied for a long time and it is a great buy.