Jalopnik: moped

New Study Reports 39% Of Moped Accidents Caused By Intoxicated Drivers

Andrew Stoy — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:00:00 EDT

A new study presented to the American College of Surgeons found that 39% of moped drivers sustaining accident injuries had a blood-alcohol level greater than .05 mg/dL — more than one-and-a-half times the number of intoxicated car or motorcycle drivers. So what's the deal? Mopeds (in this case, we presume they're referring to scooters as well) with engines of 50cc or less displacement can be driven without a driver's license in many states. Thus, they become the vehicle of choice for alcoholics who have had their licenses suspended but still, you know, have to get home from the bar. Clarkson? We're looking at you.

According to Dr. Ashley Christmas of the Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC:

Upon questioning, we learned that many of these individuals had previously had their drivers' licenses revoked. These patients were very in tune to the fact that a moped was defined as a motorized vehicle with an engine less than 50 cubic centimeters, so they knew they could still drive this vehicle without a license. We suspect that many moped operators are repeat offenders, whose licenses were previously revoked.

Have we stumbled upon a solution for one of society's great ills? Get a DUI, get sentenced to driving only scooters. We'd much rather be T-boned by a drunk driving 100 pounds of plastic at 30 MPH than an Expedition. They'd have to be Sprees, of course. [PRNewswire, Sub. Req.; Photo Credit: Geekologie.com

Toothless Old Guy Builds 50 MPG Engine-Powered Tricycle, CNN Thinks It's Newsworthy

Ben Wojdyla — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:20:00 EDT

Auto mechanic Bobby Stags has created a tricycle outfitted with a gas engine in his effort to combat the rapidly rising cost of gas. What's it mean to his bottom line? How about 50 MPG fuel economy? Hmm, although CNN's team appeared besides themselves over this great invention, it doesn't sound quite so breaking to us. We wonder if CNN's ever heard of a Honda Spree or a Yamaha Zuma? If they haven't, get ready for "Breaking News: Industrial Giant Honda Builds 80 MPG scooter, More At 11!" headlines. Oh, 24-hour news cycle, how your beastly maw must be continuously fed with the excremental tidbits of not-at-all-important news. [CNN.com]

Honda Motocompo Fits In Your Tiny Trunk!

Mark Arnold — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:20:00 EDT

Tiny Japanese cars from the '70s and '80s are awesome, but can you really fit anything more than a small suitcase or a couple bento boxes in the back? Actually, yes. In fact, back in the '80s, Honda sold the City with a motorcycle in the rear hatch. How did it fit? It transformed!

Yes, the Honda Motocompo could transform by collapsing its handlebars into the seat. After that, it was small enough to be picked up by one person and fit snugly in the rear cargo area, with enough room left for a saxophone, a boombox, and all your tennis equipment. Of course, the City may not be very nimble all loaded down. As for the Motocompo, it had a 49cc two-stroke good for a top speed of about 30mph. Maybe Honda should sell the new Fit with a scooter — you know, since everyone's talking about gas prices and stuff.
[3yen, JapaneseNostalgicCar]