Moped - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Mopeds are a type of low-powered motorcycle

Motorcycle

A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...

designed to provide economical and relatively safe transport with minimal licensing requirements.

Mopeds were once all equipped with bicycle-like pedals

Bicycle pedal

A bicycle pedal is the part of a bicycle that the rider pushes with their foot to propel the bicycle. It provides the connection between the cyclist's foot or shoe and the crank allowing the leg to turn the bottom bracket spindle and propel the bicycle's wheels...

(the source of the term, motor + pedal), but moped has been increasingly applied by governments to vehicles without pedals, based on their restricted engine displacement

Engine displacement

Engine displacement is the volume swept by all the pistons inside the cylinders of an internal combustion engine in a single movement from top dead centre to bottom dead centre . It is commonly specified in cubic centimeters , litres , or cubic inches...

, speed, and/or power output. Mopeds occasionally resemble powered bicycles, but most are now step-through designs (of both kinds, having either large or small wheels) and step-over designs similar to a regular motorcycle. Although mopeds usually have two wheels, in some jurisdictions low-powered three

Three wheeler

A three wheeler is a vehicle with three wheels, either "human or people-powered vehicles" or motorized vehicles in the form of a motorcycle, All terrain vehicle or automobile. Other names for three-wheelers include Trikes, Tricars and Cyclecars...

or four wheeled vehicles are also classified as mopeds.

In most countries, the legal driving age for a moped is lower than for regular motorcycles and cars. Mopeds are typically restricted to 50 kilometre per hour from a maximum engine displacement

Engine displacement

of 49 cc, though there are a few variations.

History

The term "moped" now only applies to low-power (often super-economy) vehicles, but pedals were fitted to some early motorcycles, such as the pictured 1912 Douglas. Pedalling away from stationary was a great improvement over "run and jump" and light pedal assistance (LPA) was valuable for climbing hills. Better transmissions with wider ranges, better clutches and much better engine performance made pedals obsolete on most motorcycles by 1918 but the pedals on mopeds remained valuable for their original purposes as late as the 1990s.

The earliest mopeds were bicycle

Bicycle

A bicycle, also known as a bike, pushbike or cycle, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A person who rides a bicycle is called a cyclist, or bicyclist....

s with a helper motor in various locations, for example on top of the front wheel; they were also called cyclemotors. An example of that type is the VéloSoleX

VéloSoleX

VéloSoleX is a moped, or motorised bicycle, which was originally produced by the French manufacturer Solex, based in Paris, France. The company manufactured centrifugal radiators, carburetors, and micrometers, before branching into assist motors and bicycles...

brand, which simply has a roller driving the front tire.

A more innovative design was known in the UK as the Cyclemaster. This had a complete powered rear wheel which was simply substituted for the bicycle rear wheel, which originated from a design by two DKW engineers in Germany. Slightly larger machines, commonly with a 98 cc engine were known as autocycles. On the other hand some mopeds, such as the Czech-made Jawa

Jawa Motors

Jawa is a motorcycle manufacturer in the Czech republic, formerly Czechoslovakia. The name was created after its founder, Frantisek Janecek, bought the motorcycle division of Wanderer in 1929 , by concatenating the first letters of Janeček and Wanderer...

, were derived from motorcycles.

A further category of low-powered two-wheelers exists today in some jurisdictions for bicycles with helper motors – these are often defined as power-assisted bicycles or motorized bicycles. Other jurisdictions may categorize the same machines as mopeds, creating a certain amount of confusion. In many countries three wheeler

Three wheeler

s and microcar

Microcar

A microcar is the smallest automobile classification usually applied to standard small car . Such small cars were generally referred to as cyclecars until the 1940s. More recent models are also called bubblecars due to their egg-shaped appearance.-Definition:The definition of a microcar has varied...

s are classified as mopeds or variations thereof. This practise is not restricted to the third-world, France and Belgium classify microcars such as the Aixam

Aixam

Aixam - Mega is a French automobile manufacturer based in Aix-les-Bains, Savoie. It was founded in 1983 to make microcars in the old Arola factory after that company failed.-History:...

similarly or as "light quadricycles".

Etymology

The word moped was coined by Swedish journalist Harald Nielsen in 1952, as a portmanteau of motor and pedal. It is however often claimed to be derived from "motorvelociped", as Velocipede

Velocipede

Velocipede is an umbrella term for any human-powered land vehicle with one or more wheels. The most common type of velocipede today is the bicycle....

is an obsolete term for bicycle that is still being used in some languages such as Russia

Russia

Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...

n. According to Douglas Harper

Douglas Harper

Douglas Harper is a historian, author, journalist and lecturer based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States. He earned a degree in history and English from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania....

, the Swedish terms originated from "(trampcykel med) mo(tor och) ped(aler)", which means "pedal cycle with engine and pedals" (the earliest versions had auxiliary pedals).

Other terms used for low-powered cycles include motorbicycle, motorized bicycle, motor-driven cycle, and goped (motorized inline skateboard with T-bar). In German, the terms Mofa (from Motor-Fahrrad, "motor-bicycle") and Mokick (equipped with kick-start) are also used. In Finnish, the common term is mopo (from moottoripolkupyörä, "motor-powered bicycle"). The term noped is sometimes used for mopeds that do not have pedals.

Safety

Safely riding a moped mostly requires the same considerations as safely riding a motorcycle

Motorcycle safety

Motorcycle safety concerns many aspects of vehicle and equipment design as well as operator skill and training that are unique to motorcycle riding.-Accident rates:...

but the lower speeds, while reducing some dangers, increases others. The biggest danger is that other traffic may not notice the presence of a moped - bright clothes and reflective fittings help. Drivers may even see the moped, recognize it as harmless to them and simply forget it's there, pulling out of side-turnings into its path. Similarly, a car approaching a moped from behind will approach it more quickly than the driver expects, and the driver's attention may be more attuned to other automobile traffic rather than the moped, increasing the likelihood of an accident. This is a particular problem for mopeds used on high-speed roads where they may not be intended to travel.

Mopeds are often illegally tuned

Engine tuning

Engine tuning is the adjustment, modification or design of internal combustion engines to yield optimal performance, to increase an engine's power output, economy, or durability....

for higher speeds, powers or engine displacements than allowed. For this to be legal, such vehicles should be re-registered as motorcycles, and their driver's license requirements, insurance costs and minimum driver age would be higher. A tuned vehicle, not designed for higher speeds, is not as safe as a purpose-designed motorcycle. A survey of Finnish high school students found that 80% and 70% of their mopeds were tuned, for vocational and gymnasium

Gymnasium (school)

A gymnasium is a type of school providing secondary education in some parts of Europe, comparable to English grammar schools or sixth form colleges and U.S. college preparatory high schools. The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, meaning a locality for both physical and intellectual...

students, respectively. Only 10% of trade school students had a moped to conformed to legistlation. The average maximum speed was 72 km/h, far higher than the legally allowable 45 km/h.

Emissions

Mopeds can achieve fuel economy of over 100 mpgU.S. (42.5 km/L). The emissions of mopeds have been the subject of multiple studies. Studies have found that two-stroke 50 cc mopeds, with and without catalytic converters, emit ten to thirty times the hydrocarbons and particulate emissions of the outdated Euro 3

European emission standards

European emission standards define the acceptable limits for exhaust emissions of new vehicles sold in EU member states. The emission standards are defined in a series of European Union directives staging the progressive introduction of increasingly stringent standards.Currently, emissions of...

automobile standards. In the same study, four-stroke mopeds, with and without catalytic converters, emitted three to eight times the hydrocarbons and particulate emissions of the Euro 3

European emission standards

automobile standards. Approximate parity with automobiles was achieved with NOx emissions in these studies. Emissions performance was tested on a g/km basis and was unaffected by fuel economy. Currently in the United States, the EPA allows motorcycles, scooters, and mopeds with engine displacements less than 280cc to emit ten times the NOx and six times the CO than the median Tier II bin 5 automobile regulations. An additional air quality challenge can also arise from the use of moped and scooter transportation over automobiles, as a higher density of motorized vehicles can be supported by existing transportation infrastructure.

Racing

The wide availability of previously-used but still functional small motorcycles in western societies enables and encourages cheap forms of racing, wrongly called moped racing. Dirt-racing forms of this sport is sometimes staged in the stadiums of agricultural show

Agricultural show

An agricultural show is a public event showcasing the equipment, animals, sports and recreation associated with agriculture and animal husbandry. The largest comprise a livestock show , a trade fair, competitions, and entertainment...

s, where, unlike football and athletic grounds, the surface is not too important. One popular series uses chicanes consisting of stacked large-diameter tractor tyres and requires a team of riders, each doing ten laps and then pulling into the middle of the ring for change-over. Two heats and a final, each lasting 25 minutes, can be held in one day interspersed with speedway racing and other displays. Another series once held on full-size race-tracks, including Le Mans
Le Mans
Le Mans is a city in France, located on the Sarthe River. Traditionally the capital of the province of Maine, it is now the capital of the Sarthe department and the seat of the Roman Catholic diocese of Le Mans. Le Mans is a part of the Pays de la Loire region.Its inhabitants are called Manceaux...

, ran for 25 hours (typically 3.00pm one day until 4.00pm the next) and was billed as "the longest race in the world".

Individual countries/regions

Country / Region	electric bicycle Electric bicycle An electric bicycle, also known as an e-bike, is a bicycle with an electric motor used to power the vehicle. Electric bicycles typically cost between and , use rechargeable batteries and can travel up to... s equipped with a meagre electrical power-source (combustion engines cannot be used) of just 200 W. So called "monkey-bikes" were quickly made illegal as they gained huge popularity. Anything resembling an EU moped will need registration and an adult driver with a motorcycle license. Mopeds in Australia have to be ADR approved in order to be ridden on Australian roads. All requirements are listed in the consumer affairs website.
Brazil	In Brazil, the definition of moped and the regulations regarding its use has been varying throughout the years. From 1985 to 1997, a moped was defined as human propulsion vehicle aided by an engine displacing less than 50 cc, no more than 3 hp, having a maximum speed of no more than 50 km/h (31 mph) and having pedals similar to those found in a bicycle. No license was required. From 1997 onwards, the legal definition of moped changed to "a two or three wheeled vehicle having an internal combustion engine with displacement inferior to 50 cc and maximum factory speed of less than 50 km/h (31 mph)". The 1997 New Code of Transit also stated that any person aged 14 or older could ride a moped provided that person could read and be physically able. However, in 1998 the minimum age limit was changed to 18 years, since Brazilian Law does not allow minors to be criminally responsible, which contradicts the 1997 New Code of Transit, that states that being a criminally responsible is a requirement to be able to get a license.
Canada	In Canada the Moped has been repealed from the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations. Nevertheless the vehicle itself is still legislated within various provinces. In Alberta Alberta Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces... , mopeds up to 49 cc and over 55 kg (121 lb) used to require a class 6 motorcycle license. If they are between 35 kg (77 lb) and 55 kg, a class 7 is required. In addition to this, they must not have a driver-operated transmission. They are allowed to carry more than one person. Mopeds are subject to all of the same traffic laws as other vehicles, and all riders must wear helmets. Regulations have changed as of July 1, 2009, no longer a weight restriction and speed has increased to 70 km/h. In British Columbia British Columbia British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858... , mopeds (limited-speed motorcycles) and motor assisted cycles (MAC) have separate and distinct classifications and requirements. The following criteria apply to a moped (limited speed motorcycle): Definition of a limited-speed motorcycle: no more than 50 cc engine displacement or 1.5 kW motor rating does not require clutching or shifting after the drive system is engaged has a maximum speed on level ground of 70 km/h (43 mph) weighs no more than 95 kilograms (209 lb) excluding fuel and batteries wheels must be 25.4 cm (10 in) in diameter or more Requirements for operation of a moped (limited speed motorcycle): the vehicle must be registered, licensed and insured for road use the operator must have a driver's license (any class) the operator must wear a helmet In Ontario Ontario Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa.... , "a moped is a motor-assisted bicycle fitted with pedals that can be operated at all times and has a maximum speed of 50 km/h (31 mph)". A motor assisted bicycle is a bicycle Bicycle A bicycle, also known as a bike, pushbike or cycle, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A person who rides a bicycle is called a cyclist, or bicyclist.... : that is fitted with pedals that are operable at all times to propel the bicycle, that weighs not more than 55 kg (121 lb), that has no hand or foot operated clutch or gearbox driven by the motor and transferring power to the driven wheel, that has an attached motor driven by electricity or having a piston displacement of not more than 50 cc, and that does not have sufficient power to enable the bicycle to attain a speed greater than 50 kilometres per hour (31 mph) on level ground within a distance of 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from a standing start; ("cyclomoteur") Since 28 November 2005, moped drivers are required to have either a full M license or a restricted class M license to legally ride on roads in Ontario. Prior to that date riders only required a G license. The G license is a "general" license for automobile Automobile An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor... drivers such as cars, small vans and trucks.
Denmark	Mopeds in Denmark are divided into "small mopeds" and "big mopeds", 'small' mopeds have a speed limit of 30 km/h (19 mph), and 'big' mopeds have one on 45 km/h (28 mph). Between 16 and 18 years of age, a moped driving license is required to drive the small moped. A car driver's or motorcycle license is needed and the driver must be at least 18 years old to drive a big one. All new mopeds (both types) bought after 1 June 2006 must be registered with a license plate, and have insurance. The older models are not required to have a license plate. All mopeds must now have insurance in Denmark.
European Union	The drivers license category for mopeds across the E.U. now is the AM driver's license. This license is for scooters and mopeds with no more than 50 cc, and a maximum speed of 45 km/h (28 mph). E.U. member countries that have not fully implemented the E.U. directive that refers to the moped and other drivers license categories must do so in the next few years, 2013 at the latest. Many member states have already done so. The "E.U. moped", scooter, moped, or any other type of vehicle that fits into this category, two, three or four wheels, a maximum speed of 45 km/h (28 mph) and obligatory license plate as proof of insurance. Many E.U. countries only require special insurer issued plates, not state issued plates.
Finland	Mopeds can be driven with an M-class driving license, which can be obtained at the age of 15. People born before 1985 can drive a moped without a license. The power of an internal combustion engine Internal combustion engine The internal combustion engine is an engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer in a combustion chamber. In an internal combustion engine, the expansion of the high-temperature and high -pressure gases produced by combustion apply direct force to some component of the engine... moped is not limited, but the speed limit is 45 km/h (28 mph), and engine capacity can be a maximum of 50 cc (with electric motor Electric motor An electric motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.Most electric motors operate through the interaction of magnetic fields and current-carrying conductors to generate force... , maximum power is restricted to 4 kW). Mopeds are allowed to carry one passenger with the driver if the moped is registered as having two seats. Both driver and passenger are required to wear helmets. After Finland joined the European Union, EU regulations increased the maximum weight of moped and speed limit was increased from 40 to 45 km/h (24.9 to 28 ). In Finland, like in all EU countries, it is illegal to drive a moped without a homologated safety helmet.
Germany	German law has two categories for mopeds. The first and slower category is the so called Mofa, with a maximum design speed of no more than 25 km/h (16 mph) and only the driver is allowed on the bike, no passenger. Minimum age is 15 and no license is required, but a written test has to be completed. The second category is the Moped, with a maximum design speed of 45 km/h (28 mph), mimimum age is 16, a drivers license is required, one passenger is allowed if the moped or scooter is certified for a passenger. Both types need an insurer issued license plate, which is much smaller than regular state issued plates, which have to be renewed every 12 months, changing the color of the plates every year. Since a 16-year-old can now drive a 125 cc (80 km/h (50 mph)) bike, and scooters in the "moped" category allow for transporting a passenger comfortably, mopeds, since they have less power, appeal, and space, have almost disappeared as a result of the new E.U. laws. Most teens that don't have the money for the costly A1 driver's license (1st step towards the full motorcycle license), which allows them to drive a 125 cc (80 km/h (50 mph)) scooter or motorcycle, go for the less expensive AM driver's license, which allows them to drive a moped or scooter with a maximum speed of 45 km/h (28 mph), but less than 1% chose a moped over a scooter based bike. Modern scooter design and amenities have effectively changed how teens chose their first set of wheels in Germany.
Greece	Mopeds are usually powered by small two- or four-stroke engines, ranging from 50 cc. They are very popular among young people due to their low price and maintenance cost, and are widely used by all age groups, usually 13 and up. The most known "duckling" was the 1980s Honda Honda is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than... 50 cc moped, which is still in use today. (Use of these mopeds requires a license [A1 category] and exams passed before attaining the license.)
Hungary	For a vehicle to fit within this category it has to be powered with a 50 cc motor, and can only have a maximum designed speed of 45 km/h (28 mph). It can have 2, 3 or 4 wheels, if the vehicle has a covered passenger area such as a moped car, e.g.: (The Aixam Aixam Aixam - Mega is a French automobile manufacturer based in Aix-les-Bains, Savoie. It was founded in 1983 to make microcars in the old Arola factory after that company failed.-History:... micro car) wearing a motorcycle helmet is optional, otherwise it is mandatory, and the failure to wear one can be fined by the police. To drive a moped one needs to obtain a M ("moped") type European license, which one can get if you they are over the age of 14. Because mopeds are inexpensive compared to other forms of motorized transport, and the running expenses are low (the third-party insurance is only 2000 Ft-12 $- 8 €), and since they can be driven after obtaining any form of license, they have become quite popular in larger cities. Vehicles registered as mopeds cannot carry passengers (even if they have space for one) and they cannot use highways (however they can use bicycle roads at a limited speed of 20 km/h (12 mph)). Their maximum allowed speed on any road is 40 km/h (25 mph).
Indonesia	Mopeds are not allowed to be used on Indonesian tollways.
Ireland	A moped is defined as being mechanically propelled "bicycle" fitted with an engine having a capacity less 50 cc and a maximum design speed no more than 45 km/h. By contrast, a motorcycle is defined in the same way, except that it has an engine larger than 50 cc or a top speed in excess of 45 km/h. The license category for a moped is "M". The minimum age to obtain a provisional (learner) or full license is 16, the same as for a class A1 (125 cc/11 kW) motorcycle. Holders of car, truck or bus licenses granted before 21 October 2006 have an automatic entitlement to a full moped license without taking a test. As with category A (unrestricted) and A1 motorcycles, a provisional license holder may not carry a passenger.
Italy	Mopeds aren't allowed on highways. Required age is 14, but a specific license ("patentino") is required. Owners of car or bike licenses may drive them freely. Registration (with plate) and insurance are mandatory. The law dictates all mopeds be restricted to 45 km/h (28 mph), but this is largely ignored and it's common for dealerships to sell them unrestricted if asked beforehand; this is not tolerated by the authorities. The new law increases penalties up to € 1338,59. Helmets are mandatory. Since 2006, a passenger may be carried on suitably built (dual seat) and registered mopeds. The driver must be over 18 years. Mopeds registered before this date that satisfy the technical and legal requirements may be re-registered (a new plate is issued) and used to carry a passenger.
Japan	Motorcycles with up to 50 cc petrol engines or 0.6 kW rated Power rating In electrical and electronic engineering, the power rating of a device is a guideline set by the manufacturer as a maximum power to be used with that device. This limit is usually set somewhat lower than the level where the device will be damaged, to allow a margin of safety.The power rating can... power generators are classified "gendoukitsuki-jitensha" (Motorized bicycle). The drivers must be older than 16, get the driving license, register the vehicles and wear helmets. Car driving license holders also can drive them. The legally maximum speed is 30 km/h (19 mph).
Malaysia	In Malaysia and some other Southeast Asian countries, small motorcycles are classified differently, most of the machines known as mopeds in the West (e.g. Honda Super Cub) are known as underbone Underbone An underbone is a small motorcycle built on a frame consisting mostly of one large diameter tubular component.The stylistic difference between a motorcycle and an underbone is considerable and they are sometimes known as "step-throughs" or even marketed as scooters in the West.The fuel tank... s (kapchai in Malaysia). These are the machines elsewhere known as scooters or sometimes "step-throughs". Kapchais have engines up to 150 cc, can reach speeds of 120–130 km/h (74.6–80.8 ), and are used on public road Road A road is a thoroughfare, route, or way on land between two places, which typically has been paved or otherwise improved to allow travel by some conveyance, including a horse, cart, or motor vehicle. Roads consist of one, or sometimes two, roadways each with one or more lanes and also any... s and expressways.
New Zealand	New Zealand - Mopeds can be driven with any class of driver license. Mopeds are classified as having an engine capacity not exceeding 50 cc and a maximum speed not exceeding 50 km/h (31 mph). Electric mopeds must have a motor between 0.6 kW. Mopeds do not require safety testing (known as a Warrant of Fitness in NZ) and are subject to lower licensing costs than motorcycles, though one still needs the right equipment (Helmet etc.). But the rider must license the moped (get plates etc.).
Norway	All motorcycles having less than 50 cc (and some "Mopedcars") are limited to 45 km/h (28 mph) in Norway. All two-wheeled vehicles with more than 50 cc are considered motorcycles. You need to be 16 years old and have a license (expensive) to drive one. Mopeds have only a 25% VAT and are therefore fairly cheap. 16 year olds can also drive 125cc bikes, and the license is only slightly more expensive then a moped license. But the 125cc bikes/scooters get a tax of about 1000-1200 Euros AND 25% VAT on top of that. Hence they cost 2-3 times as much as a moped. Mopeds in Norway used to go at least 50km/h (usually 55-65km/h) before adaptation of EU regulations. With the 45km/h speed limit tuning the engines are common. You can have a passenger on if they are under 10 years old.
Philippines	Many underbone Underbone An underbone is a small motorcycle built on a frame consisting mostly of one large diameter tubular component.The stylistic difference between a motorcycle and an underbone is considerable and they are sometimes known as "step-throughs" or even marketed as scooters in the West.The fuel tank... s, especially the Honda XRM Honda XRM The Honda XRM is an underbone-style motorbike that is produced and sold in the Philippines. It is called Nice in Thailand but not an Off-Road type. Since 2001, the Honda XRM has been released with a 110 cc engine, but 2007 has seen the release of the Honda XRM 125 cc which uses the engine from the... and Honda Bravo Honda Bravo The Honda Bravo is a 4-stroke 100 cc underbone class motorcycle designed and manufactured in the Philippines and it is capable of running a top speed of over . The frame and engine of the Honda Bravo is the same as the Honda Wave 100 of Thailand but they are only different in the plastic body... , are modified, some are "pimped out" with stereo systems and neon lights, while others are tuned, even stripped to their frames, for illegal street racing. Others, however, are modified for aesthetics (ranging from only the bodywork to extensive modification, often to resemble a full superbike), or sometimes for usage as a transport capable vehicle (usually by the addition of a custom made side wagon). A moped (as any light motorcycle) is free to use but still requires a drivers license. However, mopeds and light motorcycles are not allowed to be used on the Manila highway or skyway system.
Portugal	In Portugal, a moped is a two or three wheel motor vehicle with an engine of 50 cc or less, or having an engine with more than 50 cc but with a maximum speed of no more than 45 km/h (28 mph). Class M (moped) license is required to drive such vehicles. This license can be obtained with a minimum age of 14.
Russia	The moped is legally defined as a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with engine displacement of no more than 50 cc and maximum speed of no more than 50 km/h (31 mph). Such vehicles require no licensing License The verb license or grant licence means to give permission. The noun license or licence refers to that permission as well as to the document recording that permission.A license may be granted by a party to another party as an element of an agreement... . Pillion passengers are not allowed.
Spain	Mopeds are not allowed on highways. Helmets are mandatory. In Spain a moped is defined as a two or three wheeled motor vehicle with an engine of 50 cc or less with a maximum speed of no more than 45 km/h (28 mph). The license needed for driving a moped is the 'AM' or Permiso de Conducir AM, which can be obtained at the age of 15 years. The driver is not allowed to transport passengers on the rear seat until 18 years of age.
South Africa	In South Africa a moped is defined as a scooter with a 50 cc engine with a maximum speed of no more than 45 km/h (28 mph). There is no license needed for driving a moped and you can ride from the age of 16 years. The driver is not allowed to transport passengers on the rear seat until 18 years of age.
Sweden	Mopeds are available in two classes. Class 1 mopeds - also known as EU mopeds, as they were introduced to comply with European Union rules - are designed for a maximum speed of 45 km/h (28 mph) powered by an engine of 50 cc or, if it has an electric motor, has a maximum power of 4 kW. A driver's license type A (motorcycle) or B (car), a driving license for tractor or a class 1 moped license (type AM, minimum age 15) is required to ride a class 1 moped. In traffic class 1 mopeds are regarded as motorcycles - but may not be driven on motorways or expressway Limited-access road A limited-access road known by various terms worldwide, including limited-access highway, dual-carriageway and expressway, is a highway or arterial road for high-speed traffic which has many or most characteristics of a controlled-access highway , including limited or no access to adjacent... s - and has to be registered and have a license plate. They are however tax free. Class 2 mopeds are designed for a top speed of 25 km/h (16 mph) and has an engine with maximum 1 kW. No license is required, but the driver has to be at least 15 years old, have passed a theory test and wear a helmet. In traffic they are regarded as bicycles, and are allowed in the same places, unless signs explicitly forbid them. Mopeds registered before 17 June 2003, are called legacy mopeds, and are subject to the same rules as class 2 mopeds, but may have a top speed of 30 km/h (19 mph).
Switzerland	A moped is considered to be a two wheeled vehicle that has pedals, a motor which is less than 50 cc and a top speed of 30 km/h (19 mph). The moped must be registered, and must have a number plate with a sticker for that year indicating that the vehicle is road taxed and insured. Insurance is handled by the government. These vehicle are regarded bicycles in traffic and are therefore not allowed on motorways. To drive this vehicle, one must have a Category M license (which comes with every car and motorbike license) as well as a motorcycle helmet. A Category M license is obtainable at the age of 14. At the age of 16, one can obtain a A1 license to drive a 50 cc motorcycle which does not conform to the 30 km/h (19 mph) limit and therefore is not regarded as a bicycle anymore.
Thailand	The regulation of motorcycles in the city is different from the regulation for home use. Motorcycles in the city require payment of road tax and must have a valid license plate number. However, for home use, a motorcycle might not need to register and the motorcycle will only be able to be used in farms or a small town. Wearing a helmet is a must when riding on a major road and in the city. There is a maximum limit of one pillion Pillion A pillion is a mostly British English term for a secondary pad, cushion, or seat behind the main seat or saddle on a horse, motorcycle, bicycle or moped... riders on the bikes.
United Kingdom	The term moped describes any low-powered motor driven cycle with an engine capacity not greater than 50 cc and a maximum design speed of no more than 50 km/h (31 mph). Machines registered prior to 1 September 1977 as mopeds had to have pedals, but engine power was unrestricted, and many could top 50 mph (22 m/s) (most famously the Yamaha FS1-E or "Fizzy"). A provisional license, full motorcycle or car license is needed to operate a moped. An additional Compulsory Basic Training Compulsory Basic Training In the United Kingdom, the term Compulsory Basic Training is a preliminary vehicular training course which must be completed by people wishing to ride a motorcycle or moped unaccompanied on the road, and remains valid for 2 years upon completion... (CBT) certificate is also required to ride a moped on public roads, except for anyone who obtained their full car driving license before 1 February 2001. A provisional moped license may be obtained at the age of 16, whereas standard car and motorcycles licenses are only available at the age of 17. Provisional licenses require learner plates and expire after two years if the license holder has not passed a test, however it can be extended another two years by retaking the CBT. Mopeds are subject to all of the same traffic laws as other vehicles. All motorized cycles, motorcycles and mopeds under 50 cc are excluded from using UK motorways.
United States	Prior to the 1970s, use of mopeds in the United States was relatively rare due to legal restrictions on the devices in many states. In 1972, Serge Seguin, after writing a masters thesis on the European moped, received two mopeds and a small amount of money from the French company Motobécane Motobécane Motobécane was a French manufacturer of bicycles, mopeds, motorcycles, and other small vehicles, established in 1923. "Motobécane" is a compound of "moto", slang for motorcycle; "bécane" is slang for "bike."... to promote the vehicle. After lobbying Congress United States Congress The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.... on its fuel efficiency benefits, Seguin was able to get more than 30 states to devise a specific vehicle classification for mopeds. Produced by U.S. manufacturers such as American Machine and Foundry (AMF), mopeds had very small engines and often could not exceed 30 mph (13 m/s). What they could do, however, was run for up to 220 mile on one tank of fuel. Because of the problems caused by the 1970s energy crisis 1970s energy crisis The 1970s energy crisis was a period in which the major industrial countries of the world, particularly the United States, faced substantial shortages, both perceived and real, of petroleum... , mopeds quickly became popular, with more than 250,000 people in the United States owning one in 1977. However, as gasoline Gasoline Gasoline , or petrol , is a toxic, translucent, petroleum-derived liquid that is primarily used as a fuel in internal combustion engines. It consists mostly of organic compounds obtained by the fractional distillation of petroleum, enhanced with a variety of additives. Some gasolines also contain... prices eventually moved down and automobile companies devised more efficient cars, the moped's popularity began to fade. Legal terms and definitions of low-powered cycles vary from state to state and may include "Moped", "Motorcycle Motorcycle A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most... ", "Motorized Bicycle Bicycle A bicycle, also known as a bike, pushbike or cycle, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A person who rides a bicycle is called a cyclist, or bicyclist.... ", "Motorscooter", "scooter", "Goped", "Motor-Driven Cycle", and others. A moped's speed generally may not exceed 30 mph (13 m/s) on level ground, even if it is capable of going faster. In a few states this number is 20 or, and in most states, the maximum engine capacity is 50 cc. However, Kansas ("Motorized Bicycle" K.S.A. 8-126, 8-1439a) allows up to 130 cc. Some states (including California) require pedals, while others do not. Virginia allows mopeds to operate at up to 35 mi/h. Some states (e.g. North Carolina) require there to be no external gear-shifting mechanism and that users be 13 years or older to operate and drive with a helmet(depending on the model).
Vietnam	Parts of Vietnam (e.g. the major cities of Hanoi Hanoi Hanoi , is the capital of Vietnam and the country's second largest city. Its population in 2009 was estimated at 2.6 million for urban districts, 6.5 million for the metropolitan jurisdiction. From 1010 until 1802, it was the most important political centre of Vietnam... and Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City , formerly named Saigon is the largest city in Vietnam... ) are amongst the last places in the world where two-wheeled personal transport is more important than four-wheeled transport. Mopeds, underbone Underbone An underbone is a small motorcycle built on a frame consisting mostly of one large diameter tubular component.The stylistic difference between a motorcycle and an underbone is considerable and they are sometimes known as "step-throughs" or even marketed as scooters in the West.The fuel tank... s/scooters Scooter (motorcycle) A scooter is a motorcycle with step-through frame and a platform for the operator's feet. Elements of scooter design have been present in some of the earliest motorcycles, and motorcycles identifiable as scooters have been made from 1914 or earlier... and motorcycles are everywhere, partly due to the narrow nature of many of the sidestreets and alleys.

External links

Moped at the Open Directory Project
Open Directory Project
The Open Directory Project , also known as Dmoz , is a multilingual open content directory of World Wide Web links. It is owned by Netscape but it is constructed and maintained by a community of volunteer editors.ODP uses a hierarchical ontology scheme for organizing site listings...

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