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Inexpensive moped and motor scooter transportation is about to get a little more expensive. Any maybe safer.
Maryland State Police recently sent out a reminder that effective Oct. 1, moped and motor scooter riders will be required to wear protective headgear and, if there’s no windscreen, protective eyewear as well.
The law also requires that mopeds and motor scooters be titled (displaying a Maryland title decal) and insured. Moped and scooter operators are already required to have a valid driver’s license or moped operator’s permit. Closer to Oct. 1, the Motor Vehicle Administration website will offer online titling.
The State Police release notes that moped and scooter operators are required to obey the same rules of the road as bicyclists. Apparently, accidents caused by reckless and novice scooter operators are a particular problem this time of the year in Ocean City, according to a story today in the Delmarva Times.
What defines a moped or motor scooter?
From the Maryland State Police:
Moped:
- A bicycle designed to be operated by human power, with the assistance of a motor
- The motor has a rating of 1.5 brake horsepower or less;
- It has pedals that drive the rear wheel(s);
- It has two or three wheels, of which one is more than 14 inches in diameter.
Scooter:
- A non-pedal vehicle that has a seat for the operator;
- It has two wheels, of which one is 10 inches or more in diameter;
- It has a step-through chassis;
- It has a motor with a rating of 2.7 brake horsepower or less;
- It has an automatic transmission.
