General Safety Law

All States have Laws!            
The laws and regulations that govern the operation of motorized scooters and pocket bikes vary from state to state. In addition, enforcement may even vary from your city/township. Before you purchase, we highly recommend contacting your local law enforcement agency and your Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) local branch and also it is wise to contact your homeowners insurance carrier to obtain the most up to date and accurate information for you and your insurance policy.

Please check local laws  for motorized scooter and pocket bike helmet certification requirements. They may require that helmets adhere to ANSI, Snell or DOT certification standards. CPSC certified helmets are approved for use with push scooters, skateboards and bikes, but are not considered sufficient head protection when riding motorized scooters and pocket bikes. We sell DOT approved helmets on our site, look for that labeling when making a purchase.

General Safety Recommendations:
*Wear a helmet, knee pads and elbow pads. (Wrist guards may make it difficult to grip the handle and steer the scooter.)
*Children under age 8 should not use non-powered scooters without close adult supervision. Children under 12 should not ride motorized scooters.
*Avoid gravel and uneven pavement, which can cause falls.
*Don't ride scooters in traffic.
*Don't ride scooters at night - riders can't see where they're going or be seen by others.
*Wear sturdy shoes.
*Owners of scooters should check with local authorities for local laws regarding scooters.

Indiana Moped Laws 

Go to   http://moped2.org/laws/indiana.htm

Moped Definition

A moped, or "Motorized bicycle," is a two (2) or three (3) wheeled vehicle, that is propelled by an internal combustion engine or a battery powered motor. If it is powered by a motor, the engine have less than two horsepower, a cyclinder capacity less than 50c.c., an automatic transmission, and a maximum speed less than 25mph on a flat surface. Electric mopeds are only required to travel less than 25mph on a flat surface.

Mini Choppers

Mini choppers are usually classfied as motorcycles because they may not meet all the requirements above to be classified as a moped. Since they are classified as motorcycles, they are required to have a license plate, proof of insurance, and the rider must have a motorcycle endorsement on his or her driver's license.

Moped Licensing Information

Moped operators must be atleast fifteen years old, and they must possess a Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) issued license or identifaction card. No motorcycle license is required to operate a moped.

Safety Information and Laws

Everyone under the age of 18 is required to wear a helmet and eye protection while riding on a moped. The protective headgear that is worn must meet the requirements set by the USDOT. The protective eyewear required can be a pair of protective glasses, goggles, or a transparent face shield. All operators under the age of 18 who ride on motorcycles must also wear a helmet and eye protection.

Mopeds cannot be operated on sidewalks or Interstate highways.

Anyone caught riding a motorcycle without the proper registration or equipment will be given a ticket and the motorcycle will be impounded until it is licensed and insured correctly. The fines for these violations will range between $112.00 to $132.00 dollars.

Mopeds are also required to abide by the following laws regarding the operation of vehicles on public land:

·  Brakes are required that are capable of producing deceleration at 14 feet per second on level ground at a speed of 20 miles per hour.

·  Vehicles cannot be used to hunt, kill, or pursue a wild bird or any wild or domestic animal

·  An individual shall not operate a vehicle 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise without having a lighted headlight and taillight

·  An individual shall not operate a vehicle unless the vehicle has a muffler in good working condition and in continual operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise and annoying smoke.

·  A person who violates these statues commits a Class C Infraction or a Class B Misdemeanor

Michigan Moped Laws

Go to http://moped2.org/laws/michigan.htm

 Moped Definition

A two- or three-wheeled vehicle with a motor which has no more than 50cc piston displacement producing two brake horsepower or less. The moped must have a power drive system that does not require shifting gears and cannot have a top speed exceeding 30 mph on level surfaces.

Moped Licensing

To operate a moped on public roadways and highways, you must have a valid operator or chauffeur license. If you do not have either of these licenses and are above the age of 15, you may apply for a moped at a Secretary of State office.

Special Moped License

You must pass a vision, knowledge and traffic sign test to obtain a moped license. You do not have to pass a driver education course or a road skills test. If you are under age 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign your license application. You must give up your moped license if you obtain a regular operator or chauffeur license.

The original moped license fee is $7.50. Applicants who are under 20 years, 6 months old receive a moped license valid until their 21st birthday. Any other moped license expires four years from the applicant’s last birthday. The four-year renewal fee is $6.

Moped Registration

Mopeds must be registered at a Secretary of State branch office unless operated solely on private property. You must pay a $15 fee for a three-year registration decal and put it on the back of your moped so it is visible to law enforcement officers. It expires April 30 in the year on the decal. Since a moped is not classified as a motor vehicle in Michigan, it is exempt from the insurance laws.

Moped Traffic Laws

• All moped operators under the age of 19 must wear a properly fitted helmet.
• Never operate a moped on freeways.
• Never drive side by side with another moped.
• Do not drive between lanes of traffic.
• Never operate a moped on sidewalks or bicycle paths.
• A moped shall not be used to carry more than 1 person at a time.
• A person operating a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, moped, or motorcycle shall not carry any package, bundle, or article that prevents the driver from keeping both hands upon the handlebars of the vehicle.
• Parents or guardians who knowingly allow their children to ride motor vehicles or mopeds illegally on public roadways are subject to fines and persecution.
• A person shall not operate on a public highway of this state a motorcycle or moped equipped with handlebars that are higher than 15 inches from the lowest point of the undepressed saddle to the highest point of the handle grip of the operator.
• A person operating a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, low-speed vehicle, or moped upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction. A motorcycle is entitled to full use of a lane and a motor vehicle shall not be driven in such a manner as to deprive a motorcycle of the full use of a lane. This subsection shall not apply to motorcycles operated 2 abreast in a single lane.
• A person operating a motorcycle, moped, or bicycle shall not pass between lines of traffic, but may pass on the left of traffic moving in his or her direction in the case of a 2-way street, or on the left or right of traffic in the case of a 1-way street, in an unoccupied lane.
• A person who rides on any bicycle, motorcycle, or moped, coaster, roller skates, sled, or toy vehicle shall not attach the same or himself or herself to any vehicle on a roadway.

Michigan's Recommended Moped Safety Check

• Keep tires properly inflated
• Check the front and rear brakes, the throttle and cables for kinks and broken strands
• Test the horn and all lights including the brake light and turn signals
• Make sure the chain is properly adjusted
• Adjust and clean mirrors