I agree on the scooters - you don't have to get all leathered up. I went into the scooter store this weekend, in fact. I think when DD gets her license she'll probably end up w/a scooter to get to school.
We each have Buddy scooters, I've got an International (150cc) and she's got a regular (125cc), they are more fun than a barrel of monkeys! And I'm rarely ATGATT.