On my Island, and in Victoria BC, it is scooter city. Victoria is mostly flat, so it is also the pedal bike capitol of Canada. They have a major scooter event there the week before US Memorial Day. I will try and take my Trail 90.
My Island is hilly with one long steep one. 50 cc scooters do not go that way. There is a hill from the exit of the ferry dock. I get to hear the trucks pulling up the hill while waiting to board. The small scooters that manage the hill the best, look and sound like Yamaha 2 strokes.
Out on the flat parts the better scooters can manage around 35 mph, which is just under the speed limit of 40. Most folks in cages are doing a bit more than 40. BUT, often I encounter a small scooter that is doing about 20, and that would seem to be a bit slow to me. The battery powered bicycles and tricycles seem to go faster.
I have seen a few of the Chinese copies, but not for long. They must go somewhere to die. Quite a few of the Suzuki Burgman about. Same with Vespa, Honda, Yamaha, Kymco.
Folks here ride bikes and especially scooters, for the ferry. Ticket costs a lot less, and we are first on and off, with no long waits in the lineup. 50 cc does not require a bike license, just a cage license. Non registered 2 wheel units with pedals, pay the same price as a bicycle. Zero. If the Insurance Company requires it to be registered, the fee is the same as a motorcycle.
UK