The biggest challenge of travelling to a new country or a new city is finding a way to see all of the sights in a short period of time. Getting around in a new place can be a challenge. The perfect solution is often renting a moped or a scooter, which gives you fresh air and motorized travel without the stress of operating a full-sized vehicle.
A scooter is a motorcycle with an opening in the frame for a rider to step through and a platform for their feet. Scooters also have smaller engines (50cc-250cc) and, therefore, less power and lower speeds than motorcycles.
In some ways, scooters and mopeds are considered safer than motorcycles because the driver is limited by the engine’s capability. Larger motors displace more and therefore produce greater power and speed. The small engine sizes of mopeds and scooters prevent the driver from hitting highway speeds. They’re also lighter and simpler to operate than a motorcycle, which makes them convenient for running errands around town and renting in a foreign country where the ability to travel by vehicle is convenient.
Scooters and mopeds have a reputation for being safer than other vehicles because of their small size and lack of power. However, driving a scooter comes with as many risks as driving a car. Because of their size, scooters are hard for automobile drivers to see, so be careful, stay visible, move with traffic, and avoid roads where you are unable to maintain the speed limit because of the bike’s power.
Overall, scooters are a safe, inexpensive, and a fun way to explore a new place. Next time you’re travelling, get out on a scooter!
“Four wheels move the body,
Two wheels move the soul.”
― Anonymous
One of the perks of renting a scooter or moped is that they’re easy to operate and handle. The first step is to take the bike off its center stand, which keeps the scooter stable while not in use (similar to a kickstand on a motorcycle). The rental agency will show you how to take the scooter off its stand and start it. Practicing a few times at the rental store is a good way to get comfortable starting the scooter before you’re on your own. If you’ve never been on a motorcycle, moped, or scooter before, consider asking for a ride with someone before you try driving on your own. Being a passenger will give you a good sense of how the scooter differs from driving a car or riding a regular bike.