An effort to regulate mo-peds in North Carolina got diverted after senators rejected an effort to require riders to carry liability insurance.
Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand on Thursday pulled his bill to require a mo-ped to get a license plate and riders to wear a helmet. Rand said insurance ensures scooter riders take responsibility for accidents.
Although there have been great advances on the Outer Banks for bike paths, there still is little room on the busy bypass and beach roads to share with mopeds. The reality of the situation is that there is a large segment of mo-ped drivers on the beach and the possibility of running into one or having one running to you is on the rise.
Mopeds are notoriously known as the transport of choice for folks with DUI’s who have had their licenses yanked for driving a car while intoxicated.
To ride a Moped or Scooter you will normally first need to pass the Compulsory Basic Training (CBT), a simple day course teaching you all you need to know to ride your moped or scooter. You can normally obtain moped insurance to insure yourself on your own vehicle to pass this training, but normally use the test centers own scooters and mopeds.
The main problem with scooter and moped insurance, are thieves; these types of bike are the most likely to be stolen, which in turn increases the cost of insurance for everyone. Security on bikes can only do so much, but when the vehicle is lifted into a van, an alarm has no effect. In addition, a large majority of these vehicles have alternative starters, such as kick-starts, making the job for thieves even easier.
In regards to the Moped Regulation Bill, Senators voted for an amendment by Sen. Jim Jacumin of Burke County to remove the insurance requirement. Jacumin said mo-ped accidents aren’t a big problem and premiums would place a burden on people who ride them because they are barred from driving a car.
Rand said premiums would range from $80 to $300 per year, but Jacumin and others said it could be much higher in some cases.
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