Over the past few years, we've seen a flood of new, remarkably cheap scooters from China, emulating the more expensive Japanese and Italian brands in style. With such low prices and so many features, you'd be foolish not to buy one, right?

Think again.

Not only are you putting your money at risk by buying one, but riding it might be the risk of your life.

Frustrations at the pump are being felt nationwide, as the price for gasoline continues to spike.

That's why some motorists are putting the brakes on driving their cars and finding more efficient ways of getting around.

You have to go back in time a little ways to remember when the good ole US-of-A had American made contenders in the scooter market.

What you must remember, however is how critical one manufacturer, Cushman, was to the history of scootering.

It's no secret that celebrities have a long-standing love affair with the scooter.

With movies like Larry Crowne and New Year's Eve, you'd be more hard pressed to find a star that didn't - somewhere in their garage - have a Vespa...or three.

Check out pics of superstars like Leonardo DiCaprio, Zac Efron and Naomi Watts tearing up NYC streets!