[An expanded version of this notice runs in issue #60]

Scoot! Magazine’s 60th issue is an impressive feat, especially when you consider that for many years Scoot! was a quarterly. Josh and I (and Mike) took over in December of 2003, over the next 7 years, we made many improvements, but now it is time for yet another change at Scoot!.

It is with this great enthusiasm that we announce the debut of Scoot! Club, an all-new member organization for scooter enthusiasts. Scoot! Club aims to bring scooterists together by providing an overarching club with membership benefits, support for the scootering lifestyle, and unique interactive opportunities. Scoot! Club membership entitles members to special discounts at various scooter-related businesses. Depending upon membership level, members will receive Scoot! Club items like patches, buttons, t-shirts and access to roadside assistance. The Scoot! Club will host and sponsor events.

Scoot! Magazine will also be part of that membership, albeit in a different form.  Starting with the next issue, Scoot! will cease to be a print publication, but continue as a digital magazine.

It has been our dream to be a more integral component of the scootering community, but the economic realities of the past few years have made it hard to be in the magazine business. We have struggled in this economy, and a few recent issues were held up until we were able to collect on just enough back due invoices to cover the printing. The printing and shipping is roughly 80% of our budget. By eliminating the majority of these costs, we hope to have enough actual revenue to pursue some of our goals. You should know that this is not a flippant decision. As 2010 drew to a close, the choices that faced us were to either go digital or shutter the magazine completely. After some thought we came up with a third choice–to evolve the magazine and make it something bigger. Thus, Scoot! Club was born and the idea that we could actually achieve some of our greater goals was encouraging.  In the link above you’ll find more information on Scoot! Club. I hope that you will check it out, and consider joining. All current subscribers will automatically receive membership, and soon will receive letters describing the transition.

While this change may be uncomfortable, and I’m sure that we will experience some growing pains, I think that the possibilities are exciting.  I hope that you will join us in writing this next chapter in Scoot’s story.

Let’s ride!
April Whitney
for the Scoot! Team