A scooter is a vehicle with two or three wheels, a platform for standing, and handlebars for steering. The classic kid's scooter has small wheels, and you push yourself along by kicking one foot against the ground while the other stays on the platform. When you get going fast enough, you can put both feet on and coast, feeling the wind in your face as you glide.

Motorized scooters work the same way but have a small engine or electric motor, so you don't need to kick. You just twist the throttle on the handlebar and zoom forward. Electric scooters have become popular in many cities, where adults rent them for short trips. Some people also use the word scooter to describe certain motorcycles with small engines and a platform to rest your feet on, popular in countries like Italy and India for zipping through crowded streets.