[RPKESQ]

As long as you ride defensively and wear proper protective gear a scooter in the city is perfectly fine. If you’re worried about how your masculinity might be affected, you already have major emotional problems. See Dr. Phil.
Scooters are as maneuverable or more so than any motorcycle, a lower center of gravity makes them easier to ride slower and they get better gas mileage than most motorcycles. Better weather protection means they are more real world usable than bicycles or motorcycles. Insurance is cheaper too.
I have a Vespa 250 that does just fine in traffic, outruns most cars stoplight to stoplight and is a classic too. A 250cc single, fuel injected, liquid cooled, dual disc brakes and 60 to 70 mpg. What is not to like?
I also have over a half million miles on "real" motorcycles and still own both a sportbike and a dual-purpose cycle, so I have seen and experienced both sides.
In NYC a scooter of sufficient size is optimum transportation for those in the know.