Are scooters really dangerous?

Question

I am considering getting a scooter/moped. Although I am 20 and have the money, my mother tells me she will not allow it because it is dangerous. Someone please tell me the risks involved with riding a scooter and convince me that I shouldn't get one. Because right now, I think driving a car is more dangerous to other people.

Answer 1

dont underestimate what a scooter can do to u. they are capable of reaching 45 mph even on the low end of things. a tumble from a scooter is no different than a fall from a full size bike, and that road wont differentiate wheather u were on a scooter or not either.....that road will open up a huge can of hurt on u.

i'd steer clear of the 50cc scooters. their extra small tires make the scooter very very unstable at slow speed, and in an evasive manuver, they are tricky.
they're smaller in size than a full sized bike. they're harder to see. he who disrespects the machine and the rules of the road is the one that will soon wind up in the graveyard with either a scooter or a car...it just will happen with almost certainty with a scooter cause u have zero crash protection. 50cc scooters are also worthless for any road that isnt 2 lanes...dont even think about takin that leafblower out on a 4 lane highway. only the 600cc scooters can handle roads like that.

u'd be alot happier with a full sized bike. at least u'd be able to take nice long cruises. a scooter is definately a bar hopper only. hey ur 20, tell mom to chill and just get the dam thing. u dont need her permission anymore.

Answer 2

I do about 50 miles a day, 6 days a week, rain, shine or snow on a scooter....is it safe? That's dependent on your skill and the other drivers you encounter.

No matter what you drive you always run the possibility of having an accident. The important thing is being aware of your surroundings and how to control your vehicle in the case of an emergency. If you get a scooter learn to control it before you take it out on the street. A motorcycle driving course is always a good thing but nothing beats personal knowledge of the ins and outs of your personal vehicle.

Should you decide to get one I always suggest wearing a helmet. Wearing high visibilty clothing can also help drivers see you. If you're worried about making a fashion statement while riding, in the modern age there are riding clothes with reflective material that looks ordinary unless light is reflected off of it.

If you're heavily concerned with safety, get armored riding gear. It's not all black leather anymore. You can get several types of jackets (even hoodies) with removable armor padding. You can even get jeans that look ordinary but are designed to protect you from all sorts of spills.

As far as whether cars are more dangerous...if you hit someone you're likely to fly off and do more harm to you than the other person. The same goes for animals crossing the road. If you have any experience with a bicycle you know that the slightest thing can knock you off balance or make you have to readjust your balance. A scooter is the same.

Are scooters dangerous? No more than any other vehicle. If you want to ride one and you enjoy it, take your mother to a dealer to talk to the dealer with you. He can provide the both of you with tons of information on the pros and cons.

Answer 3

I assume you mean a scooter like a Vespa or the like and not those skateboard like things?

If you're referring to the Vespa-like scooter, it has the same risks and danger level as riding a motorcyle does, with a couple other ones too.

Riding a motorcycle or scooter requires a lot of mental attention. There are hazards everywhere. Small animals, pedestrians, people on bikes, roadway debris, and other motor vehicles.

You are much more likely to be injured in an accident on a scooter or motorcycle than you are if you were in a car. The reason is simple, there is little to no protection.

The best things you can do are:

1) Be alert and aware of your environment. Always be looking ahead and finding potential issues. The best way to prevent being injured in an accident is not being in an accident in the first place!

2) Be a good rider. Even if you're buying a 50cc scooter and your state doesn't require a motorcycle license for it, I'd still take the MSF Basic RiderCourse. Keep your skills current and practice panic stops and swerves on an empty parking lot weekly.

4) Wear all the gear, all the time. I get laughed at because when I'm on my scooter, I'm in full gear -- that is a full face approved motorcycle helmet, armored motorcycle jacket, armored motorcycle gloves, motorcycle boots, and protective pants. You can easily spend several hundred dollars on protective equipment, but it can really make the difference. I spent about $3000 on my scooter, and about $600 on protective gear.

5) Be seen. This is your opportunity to "be loud and proud" of your bike! Wear clothing with reflective properties and/or bright colors. If you can get a headlamp modulator legally installed on your bike in your area, do so. Practice riding strategies to make yourself seen.

I can't tell you to get or not to get one. If you are planning to try to convince your mother, do the right thing and say "Let's go shopping for a helmet and some protective gear (boots and gloves) and sign up for a Motorycle Safety Course. That will let you get your hands on a motorcycle in a controlled environment and you can tell yourself if you think you will be able to ride. Plus, it may qualify you for an insurance discount and/or a waiver on your DMV skills test if you want to get a motorcycle license.

Answer 4

The safety of scooters can vary greatly depending on the conditions in which one might use them. However, your statement, "...driving a car is more dangerous...," is inaccurate. Driving a car is a safe mode of transportation for countless number of people in this nation and around the world. The relative safety of either automobiles or scooters depends most on the skill of the operator using them.

If you are twenty and have sufficient funds to purchase a vehicle of any kind, including a scooter, then why are you listening to your mother? Her opinion is not only irrelevant, but also inappropriate...unless, of course, you are still living at home. If you are still at home, then perhaps you need to take a good look at yourself and figure out why you are unable to live as an adult person on your own without recourse to mommy.

Answer 5

Most states label higher powered scooters as motorcycles. Smaller 50cc scooters can reach speeds between 30 and 45 mph, depending on a few factors. However, 50cc scooters have extra small tires so there is a trade off. But in the end, falling off at speeds over 30 mph are going to hurt you as much as a motorcycle would. Check out my post on this for more info: http://www.michaelpadway.com/riding-skills-and-safety/are-scooters-dangerous

Answer 6

No I'm 42 and I live in the UK I have just got a scooter/moped it's best thing I ever did! It's a Peugeot Ludix Blaster 50cc top speed 40mph I agree with you about cars being far more dangerous I live in an area where I do daily battle with huge 18 wheelers on it! Doesn't bother me though it's a challenge!
Go ahead and get one do some basic training if poss you'll be fine! Oh wear a helmet better safe than sorry trust me!
mandyr

Answer 7

Well like a motorcycle you don't have a steel cage, seat belts and an air bag to keep you from harm in an accident. Yes they are more dangerous than a car. But life is dangerous. And for alot of people the thrill of riding a cycle or a scooter is worth the risk.

A scooter is simpler to operate than a cycle. But usually alot less powerful so you cant count on power the get you out of trouble.

AOOP....Accelerate Out Of Problems... my motto.

Answer 8

Like you said,"...a car is more dangerous to the other people". That's your mother's point, I believe. On a scooter or moped, even more than on a motorcycle, you become one of those "other people" endangered by cars.

Answer 9

I'm sorry to inform you, but a car is ALWAYS going to be safer. The difference is who is driving what. On a scooter (I have one, 250cc), YOU have to be COMPLETELY aware of everything going on around you at all times, and be willing to yield right of way even if you have the right of way.

Now, if you're already looking to be convinced NOT to get one - do yourself a favor and don't. The last thing you want to be is timid about riding.

If you are looking for the intelligent way to learn to ride and be as safe as possible - then you need to do a few things Before I share those, you should consider what you plan on doing with your scoot. If you're only planning on city roads, a 150cc should be more than enough. If you're planning on driving on the freeways, you'll need something stronger. I ride a Honda Reflex Sport... (which, my husband just crashed on tonight at 20mph practicing quick stops... he didn't read the books fully... #1 on my list below), and that is so I can eventually use it on the freeway.

1) Go to your local book store and get these two books:
*Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough
*More Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough.

2) Sit down and read them both before you do anything else.

3) If after reading those you feel you still are up for the challenge, get your scooter, sign up for the MSF classes and ---take--- ---your--- ---scooter---.

4) Study for your learners permit. Honestly, I don't care how many people get on their scooters and have no license, you should get your learners permit from your state in order to do ANY driving.

5) Get your insurance. Most of the time, scoot places won't let you take it off the lot if you don't have insurance - IF you're financing. Even without financing... insurance is a GOOD thing.

6) Practice in parking lots or on very low traffic streets until you get to your class.

I do have to side with your mother. It is very dangerous - not through some fault of the rider, but mainly that a lot of motorists just don't pay enough attention to cyclists. There is a lot of thinking involved on a constant basis from before you walk out the door of your house until you're safely back home. It's all a matter of your realizing it's a hell of a lot more responsibility than any car ever is.

Here are a few links. Take a look for some good info. If you decide on the scoot, congrats. It's fun and scary as hell. :)
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EDIT: Contrary to what a lot of people on here seem to think... scooters come in a variety of speeds.

under 50cc means no faster than about 30mph.
50cc - 150cc means 30-55mph
150cc-250cc means 55-85mph
250cc+ means speeds you shouldn't be doing anyway if you're in the city/motorcycle speeds. Honda actually makes a scoot that is 600cc, and there are other companies that make 800cc+.

The only differences between a scoot and a motorcycle is
1) You don't have to shift,
2) The engine is inside the body (mostly)
3) You don't have pegs, but floorboards, which make you sit differently.

And don't think for a minute you should be scooting without proper gear. I don't know about you, but seeing my husband go down at 20mph and skid on the pavement was enough convincing that we'd done the right thing in spending 500 bucks on gear. Helmet, Jacket, Gloves... don't leave home without them... no matter how fast or slow you plan on riding. I highly doubt pavement would feel all that nice if you're sliding skin along it.

Answer 10

It's probably just a wee bit more dangerous than a bicycle considering you can do 10-15mph on a bike and say you average 30mph on a scooter. If you can relate that to where you would be operating it and goofball cagers that you would have to be on the look out for.