They're small, cute, shiny and on wheels. All of these things make scooters virtually irresistible for thieves.

While statistics are hard to nail down (specifically because when someone nicks a 49cc bike, it's not considered motor vehicle theft and is lumped in with stolen TVs and stereos), the Denver/Boulder area ranks 18 among American metropolitan areas in motorcycle theft. There's no doubt about it, as scooter sales increase, scooter theft increases right along with it. I get the calls all the time: "Can you keep an eye out for my bike? It was stolen from my alley last night."

Scooters are easy to steal- a screwdriver can usually pop the ignition lock and they average around 250 pounds a piece. So what can scooterists do to keep their babies safe?

This British site offers some helpful hints. But the biggest and most helpful hints are often the most obvious: Lock the bike (a $60 lock will bring your chances of theft down to near-zero). Insure your scooter. It makes no good sense not to. Park in plain view. Register your scoot- with a title or with a moped registraion- this associates your name with the VIN on the state books, making an official record of your purchase and your ownership.

Covers can also help, as they keep your bike out of sight and out of mind. As is the case in many thefts, people take scooters because they are accessible and tempting.

With some preventative measures and common-sense awareness, even the lightest, most candy-colored scooters should stay where they were parked, all night long.