17yr old wants a moped!!!!

[Mumof21975]

Help!!!! I need some advice.... My 17 yr old son wants to get a moped. Im not too enthusiastic about this idea. Hes a sensible lad, and its not necessarily him that i would be worried about. Its other drivers. I have told him that if he gets one there will be ground rules, ie, no riding it when its dark, or when its raining!!! He thinks im being totally unreasonable. Any opinions welcome and appreciated
Thanks
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[JadeJ123]

My brother got one when he was 17 but it was a motorbike not a moped and my mum had the same feelings as you! He always complained about other drivers and drove it when it was raining and at night
He was fine, came off it a few times from it raining but he was fine because he was wearing a helmet and thick jumper and the bike came out with scratches, if you don't want him riding it at night take the keys off him at night.
See rules for the bike

[JadeJ123]

set rules and stick to them.
If DSD wanted a bike I wouldn't have a problem with it as dh has bikes aswell.

[secretsquirrels]

Never , never never.
Lock him in his room and buy him a car.

[ruralmyth]

I wouldn't, for me the benefits don't outweigh the risks.
I'd encourage driving lessons.

[sanityawol]

If he's going to do it, make sure he has the right clothing. Helmet is required by law, but he needs to wear a motorcycle jacket, gloves and sturdy shoes. At a minimum he needs to wear jeans, but preferably motorcycle trousers.

The first time that he goes out in shorts or without his jacket I'd be tempted to take his keys away. Even if it's really hot... tell him to look at gravel rash images.

The other consideration is the type of roads he will be riding on. A moped is 50cc and limited to 29mph. As he is 17 he can ride up to a 125cc, which will do up to about 60mph - it might be safer if he can keep up with traffic.

The bare minimum of training he needs is a one day CBT - I'd recommend doing a CBT plus course to improve his skills a bit.

And if a cold, wet autumn of riding doesn't put him off, or having to drag his wet kit around with him all day (as if he has independent transport you no longer need to give him lifts ) then I'm afraid he has the bug and you've got yourself a biker.

[sanityawol]

By the way, you showing enthusiasm for the idea rather than objecting might make it less desirable.

[HSMMaCM]

My mum said I couldn't have one until I could pay for it myself and have all the appropriate protective clothing and insurance. I worked all summer that year and went out and got everything I needed. My poor mum didn't go back on what she said but wasn't happy. I roads bikes until I was about 25 when I took my driving test.

They are very very dangerous and I don't want my DD to have one.

[HSMMaCM]

Rode not roads

[sashh]

Moped no way.

CBT and bike test and I'd be OK.

[NigellasPeeler]

just say NO NO NO and NO again.
maybe offer to pay for driving lessons instead?

[Leeds2]

Absolutely not, simply because a girl I went to school with got a moped for her 16th birthday, rode to school on it that day and was killed when she collided with an articulated lorry. I suspect she had had no training, either on the moped or in road sense sort of things, but it has always put me off them.

On the other hand, if DD paid for it herself, there would be nothing I could do.

[secretsquirrels]

Leeds2 Well I wasn't going to spell it out but that was the reason for my objection. I knew a boy of 17 and another of 19 who died in bike accidents. This was 25 years ago. I still see the mum of the second boy .Doesn't matter who's fault it was really.