‘Sylvan’, one of my Amish friends in Lancaster County, runs a scooter workshop in addition to milking cows.
In Lancaster County and related settlements, you rarely see bicycles–in Lancaster, for instance, there are only a few church districts I’m aware of that seem to allow them.
I’ve also seen scooters in use among the Amish of Allen County, Indiana, and I’d imagine they’d be found in other areas that adhere to a somewhat stricter Ordnung.
Sylvan says that his pink line has never really taken off. Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a pink one on the road. Green, red, and blue are the most popular colors.
Midwestern Amish in contrast to their Lancaster counterparts tend to be a lot more open to using bikes–the Amish around Arthur, Illinois and those in Lagrange/Elkhart counties come to mind right away. The men there often use them to ride to jobs in the local garage door and RV plants.
I’m also acquainted with an Amishman in northern Indiana who manufactures the recumbent bike–the one that looks like a cross between a bicycle and a recliner. This particular ride is a hit in a number of the more progressive settlements. Sort of a luxury comfort ride on the spectrum of two-wheeled non-motorized transport.
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16 responses to Where Amish scooters come from
I’m pretty sure I’ve ridden past that Amish recumbent manufacturer in northern Indiana — in the Middlebury area, I think — and at least once have shared the road with Amish recumbent riders there. I wish I could remember exactly where it was.
Hi John, that might be a different one, this fellow I am speaking of is on the southwest side of the settlement, past Millersburg.
I never would have thought of them making scooters! Interesting!
Well, Millersburg isn’t that from from Middlebury, even by bicycle. I had thought it was further north, but that could be the one. I’ve been through the area around Millersburg a few times, though not nearly as often as I’ve ridden between Middlebury and Goshen. I’ve only seen that shop one time — seemed like it was in an area that’s almost residential, with quite a few houses along the road.
And it was on the west side of a north-south road. That much I do remember for sure. The rest is kinda hazy.
Where Amish scooters come from
Well, Millersburg isn’t that from from Middlebury, even by bicycle. I had thought it was further north, but that could be the one. I’ve been through the area around Millersburg a few times, though not nearly as often as I’ve ridden between Middlebury and Goshen. I’ve only seen that shop one time — seemed like it was in an area that’s almost residential, with quite a few houses along the road.
And it was on the west side of a north-south road. That much I do remember for sure. The rest is kinda hazy.
Where Amish scooters come from
Yeah that sounds like a different one, this one is in a wooded area on the north side of an east-west. There are probably a couple out there.
I saw a fellow here in Krakow yesterday ride by on an ‘extremely recumbent’ recumbent–he was basically lying down in a horizontal position. The way it looked, it didn’t seem that comfortable…have you ridden those before John?
Do you have any information about ordering a scooter like this? I am in Vermont and would like one for my daughter. Do you have an address for this business?
Hi raminthethicket, send me an email (click ‘Email me’ in upper left hand corner), I need to check but I might be able to find a contact.
hello there
do you have an address for the scooter manufacturer. i was recently in pa and found different ranges in prices. i much rather deal with the manufacturer.
thank you
Hi, i would also love to buy a scooter from the manufacturer. Anyone know the address? Thanks
Where to buy Amish scooters--contact info
Hi everyone interested in scooters, here are two contacts:
Abram P. Stoltzfus
717 442 8328
Abram lives in the Lancaster settlement.
Also in Lancaster:
Groffdale Machine Co
717 656 7657
both advertise in the Lancaster County Business directory; unfortunately I cannot give you an idea on pricing, but give them a ring and I’m sure they’d be glad to.
There are no doubt other scooter manufacturers as well. Scooters are much more common in certain settlements, with Lancaster being the largest community where you’ll see them.
Hope that helps!
Where Amish scooters come from
I sell Amish scooters and I have excellent prices. Please e-mail me if you are interested. Thank you.
amish scooter
I would like to buy one for my 6 year old grandson. Can you send you address/phone number please.
How do I send Timothy an e-mail?
Why?
Why would someone ride a scooter when bikes are available? Why is this a popular mode of transport for the Amish? A bike will get you there much faster with far less effort. Please explain.
Why do Amish use scooters instead of bikes?
Good question Wendy, briefly answered here: http://amishamerica.com/do-amish-ride-bicycles/
You hear different answers to this question.
My favored response is that bikes are seen as worldly, and unlike the case with other technologies, there hasn’t been a compelling reason (ie economic) to change the tradition of using scooters.
Scooters are popular in some Amish communities but bikes are also used in many communities. Lancaster County is the best known community where scooters are predominantly used.
Where Amish scooters come from
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[...] Like the buggy, the Amish scooter is something of an icon. They are typically made from welded steel, with a foot brake and basket, [...]
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