Who's Zoomin' Who?

After filling their minds with the latest Harry Potter adventure, kids across America are going outside for some R&R — rest and Razors, that is. But in-the-know L.A. kids and the adults who love them have discovered that adding engines to their beloved scooters is the way to go. Now they'd rather be caught dead than use legwork to travel short distances.

In June, Cynthia and Gary Keith opened ZOOMTOYZ in Santa Monica, a store entirely dedicated to electric and gasoline-powered scooters, to help make life on the road a (literal) breeze for motor-conscious Los Angelenos.

The three-wheeled German import Charly, favored among "kids" in their 20s and 30s, is a hipper, sleeker version of Grandma's motorized cart. But with a top speed of 20 mph, it'd give her a heart attack.

The Viper, a showy, gasoline-powered scooter, runs on a two-stroke engine. The electric Zappy is especially handy when navigating crowded, wheel-to-wheel beachside bike paths.

Rounding out the batch are electric bikes, traditional kick scooters, motorized dirt skateboards, and a James Bond-style sea scooter that pulls you along the water. Cool.

Cynthia, who relies on a red Charly to take her from her Venice home to work, notes that 70% of her customers find the store through word of mouth—and news is traveling fast. On the lookout for fast wheels here were actor Patrick Muldoon, comedian Rob Schneider and his daughter, and Kojak's son Nick Savalas (but remember—no lollipops while scootering).

Brendan Fraser recently brought in his black Zappy for repairs, which ZOOMTOYZ gladly tends to. They also sell helmets, parts, and assorted hats and shirts.

The demand for these toyz is so great that Cynthia and Gary are considering opening another store in nearby Marina del Rey.

What could this mean for Car City? Ferrari- or Mercedes-Benz-designed scooters? Televised scooter chases along SoCal bike paths? We'll see.