Mopeds?

I know you've all seen our more unfortunate two-wheeled brethren, whether for economic or legal reasons they choose the alternate method of powered two wheeled transportation. Some of the individuals ride the moped or scooter by choice since it is a great way to get around and very economical. Others have no other option for powered transportation due to circumstances beyond their control or caused by their lack of control. All of this is well and good. In this great country and in the great state of North Carolina it is wonderful that one can obtain an alternate mode of transportation and still utilize our public highway system. I draw the line when an unlicensed vehicle can run 45 miles per hour on the bypass.


NC law states: You must be age 16 or older to operate a moped on North Carolina highways or public vehicular areas. A driver's license is not required, and the moped does not have to be registered, inspected or covered by liability insurance. A motorcycle safety helmet is required by law when operating a moped on North Carolina highways. A moped cannot have a motor of more than 50 cubic centimeters, an external shifting device or have the capability of exceeding 30 miles per hour on a level surface.


Anyone over 16 with a helmet can ride a 50cc or under, powered vehicle on the highway at 30 miles per hour or less. OK I can go along with that even without any training because a good bicycle can hit 30. I have seen several of these "mopeds" clicking along at 45 miles per hour or so. These are larger scooter type bikes that weigh considerably more than a standard moped and at 45 can cause significant damage and injury if involved in an accident. What these faster "mopeds" equate to is a small displacement motorcycle and should be treated as such. I took the appropriate motorcycle training to be a safer rider and fellow motorist. I have a yearly safety inspection performed on my Ultra. I pay insurance to cover myself and damage I may cause to others.

So here we have Bubba, cruising along at 45, the chin strap on his black-with-orange-flame helmet flapping in the breeze. With not a care in the world. He's not required to have a license, insurance, a yearly safety inspection or to have the vehicle registered but there is a license plate mount under the tail light. Worst of all he is not required to have any training that pertains to safely operating on two wheels or a permit with limitations while you learn. He is responsible to know what maximum sized engine can legally operate and what the maximum speed should be as a moped. If Bubba causes you, your wife or one of your children to wreck then you got zip, nadda, zero.

One more instance of how law abiding citizens follow the multitude of rules and regulations while Bubba is blissful in his ignorance. Hey New Bern PD and Craven County Sheriff! Why don't you use your radar devices to get some of these guys off the roads. I'll bet you get some of them for DWI at the same time or maybe for a second time. Or does that only apply if you have a valid drivers license?