An improved two wheeled reciprocating pedal driven scooter has a frame, front steering wheel, rear drive wheel, and rear wheel drive mechanism. The drive mechanism has two reciprocating foot pedals straddling the frame and extending to a forward hinge attachment location on the frame. The hinge location is at or above a drive axle. Each foot pedal has a short portion and an intersecting long portion forming a bend. The bend angle is 90 degrees or greater and is located at or below the frame. The attachment location of the foot pedal to the drive mechanism is at or near the bend. When the long portion of one foot pedal is at the bottom of the foot pedal stroke it is substantially horizontal, while the long portion of the other pedal is at the top of the stroke and is inclined to a maximum stroke angle of less than 35 degrees.