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Teenage moped riders warned
TEENAGERS across Hampshire are being warned that improving the performance of their moped means they are riding illegally.
Hampshire Constabulary is warning parents and teenagers about the dangers and risks involved in de-restricting mopeds.
De-restriction involves the removal of features fitted by manufacturers to restrict the speed of the moped.
Under British law you can ride a moped at the age of 16 if you complete your Compulsory Basic Training (CBT). A moped will be restricted to an engine size up to 50cc which has a maximum design speed of 30mph.
Making modifications to improve speed means a rider under the age of 17 will ultimately not be covered by their insurance company or driver licence conditions, and therefore be riding unlawfully.
In some circumstances de-restriction allows a 50cc moped to reach speeds of 60mph, increasing the risk of an inexperienced rider having a collision.
PC Mick Gear, Hampshire Constabulary BikeSafe co-ordinator, said: "If you are under the age of 17 and have your moped de-restricted then you are riding illegally and the consequences could be severe if you end up being involved in a collision.
"You won't be insured, and you could receive a fine and penalty points on your licence.
"I would ask parents to take responsibility and not allow your child to have their moped modified. The penalties are severe.
"I would also urge companies who carry out de-restrictions on mopeds belonging to 16-year-olds, to stop. If you knowingly carry out a de-restriction on a moped belonging to an owner of this age then you are assisting them in committing offences. You also have a duty of care."
11:32am Thursday 19th July 2007
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CommentPosted by: James Kelly, winch on 2:46pm Thu 19 Jul 07
I think that haveing a restricted moped is more dangerous than haveing a derestricted one most garagers and riders will agree with this.
I ride a restricted moped and get dangerously over taken beeped at sworn at and in some cases nearly run off the road if a moped is de restricted it can keep up with the flow of traffic therefore makeing it safer. This law was obviously not thought by anyone sensible or that has a clue about riding a moped. 30 mph is simply to slow you can not keep up with traffic on main roads or dual carriage ways.
I think that haveing a restricted moped is more dangerous than haveing a derestricted one most garagers and riders will agree with this.
I ride a restricted moped and get dangerously over taken beeped at sworn at and in some cases nearly run off the road if a moped is de restricted it can keep up with the flow of traffic therefore makeing it safer. This law was obviously not thought by anyone sensible or that has a clue about riding a moped. 30 mph is simply to slow you can not keep up with traffic on main roads or dual carriage ways.
Posted by: Shoon, Winchester on 3:44pm Thu 19 Jul 07
I'm fed up with the chavs on my estate screeching the hell out their mopeds at all hours, it seems to be a craze. Let them go as fast as they want, then hopefully they'll end up as RTA.
I'm fed up with the chavs on my estate screeching the hell out their mopeds at all hours, it seems to be a craze. Let them go as fast as they want, then hopefully they'll end up as RTA.
Posted by: Timmis, Warwickshire on 9:58am Mon 23 Jul 07
Nearly everyone i know who has a 50cc has it derestricted round here. No-one really cares anymore, the law ought to just be scrapped like in Spain
Nearly everyone i know who has a 50cc has it derestricted round here. No-one really cares anymore, the law ought to just be scrapped like in Spain
Posted by: adam bell, northampton on 5:12pm Sat 28 Jul 07
I think that having mopeds restricked to 30 mph is a crazy law as the mopens have already been ristricted to only a 50cc engine and need to reach speeds of at least 50+ to keep up with the majority of drivers when i get my racing derbi gpr 50 i am not only going to have it derestricted but also put a racing exuast on it, so that i can get to around 65-70
I think that having mopeds restricked to 30 mph is a crazy law as the mopens have already been ristricted to only a 50cc engine and need to reach speeds of at least 50+ to keep up with the majority of drivers when i get my racing derbi gpr 50 i am not only going to have it derestricted but also put a racing exuast on it, so that i can get to around 65-70
Posted by: james barker, basingstoke on 8:31pm Sun 5 Aug 07
[italic][bold]with CBT it should be for a 125cc not a 50cc,50`s are far to slow and if on the road somthings comin right at you with a 50cc you wont be able to g[italic]italic[/italic] [bold]bold[/bold] et out the way in time plus drivers try to run you off the road,i now have a tzr 50 well 80cc now,feels great to not only keep up with traffic but to beat it aswell[/bold][/italic]
with CBT it should be for a 125cc not a 50cc,50`s are far to slow and if on the road somthings comin right at you with a 50cc you wont be able to g et out the way in time plus drivers try to run you off the road,i now have a tzr 50 well 80cc now,feels great to not only keep up with traffic but to beat it aswell Posted by: sam taylor, milton keynes on 8:29pm Sun 12 Aug 07
I want to ask one simple question. why 30 mph. this is a rediculous speed. youll know why aswell if you get overtaken by a lorry that dont realise hes got a bloody trailer. 50 mph is a much better speed for them to be restricted to. this way they can atleast keep up with traffic on most roads and not causing drivers behind you getting frustrated when there on a road thats 60 and there sitting at 30!!!!!!
I want to ask one simple question. why 30 mph. this is a rediculous speed. youll know why aswell if you get overtaken by a lorry that dont realise hes got a bloody trailer. 50 mph is a much better speed for them to be restricted to. this way they can atleast keep up with traffic on most roads and not causing drivers behind you getting frustrated when there on a road thats 60 and there sitting at 30!!!!!!
Posted by: Lewis, Preston on 12:47pm Fri 31 Aug 07
It is absolutly rediculus having the restriction at 30mph iv nearly been run off the road a few times for going to slow, if you drive a car would you stay at 30pmh on a 50 mph road????
It is absolutly rediculus having the restriction at 30mph iv nearly been run off the road a few times for going to slow, if you drive a car would you stay at 30pmh on a 50 mph road????
Posted by: tony, kent on 11:31am Sun 16 Sep 07
when my son took his cbt the instructor all but told him how to de-restrict his moped.he believed that mopeds restricted to 50cc are dangerous on normal roads-40 to 60mph areas.
when my son took his cbt the instructor all but told him how to de-restrict his moped.he believed that mopeds restricted to 50cc are dangerous on normal roads-40 to 60mph areas.
Posted by: Dave, Kent on 2:42pm Tue 18 Sep 07
Moped's driving at 30mph are a far larger danger than allowing them to travel at 50 lets say, pretty much every teenager in this country have a de restricted moped the law should be scraped!
Moped's driving at 30mph are a far larger danger than allowing them to travel at 50 lets say, pretty much every teenager in this country have a de restricted moped the law should be scraped!
Posted by: Janezy on 9:55pm Wed 26 Sep 07
Well i Have a Gilera SMT 50 and it was re-stricted 2 30mph and it was dangerous i got sworn and got aruged at and beeped at so i gt it de restricted woth a 80cc kit it now does 110mph!
Well i Have a Gilera SMT 50 and it was re-stricted 2 30mph and it was dangerous i got sworn and got aruged at and beeped at so i gt it de restricted woth a 80cc kit it now does 110mph!
Posted by: Leigh, wiltshire on 6:28pm Mon 15 Oct 07
people say unexperienced riders but that is what the cbt is for and plus it is so dangerous at 30mph what the hell it should be atleast 50
people say unexperienced riders but that is what the cbt is for and plus it is so dangerous at 30mph what the hell it should be atleast 50
Posted by: karl, soton on 10:17pm Thu 18 Oct 07
i agree were i live evryone ahs a derstriced moped. the roads are all 40 to 60 mph limits and you are constatly gettin beeped aor sworn at for going to slow the law sholud be scrapped no one cares about the law or if they are riding ilegaly. 50 mph would be a much beter speed[bold]bold[/bold]
i agree were i live evryone ahs a derstriced moped. the roads are all 40 to 60 mph limits and you are constatly gettin beeped aor sworn at for going to slow the law sholud be scrapped no one cares about the law or if they are riding ilegaly. 50 mph would be a much beter speed
Posted by: Jamie, Portsmouth on 1:40am Fri 19 Oct 07
I agree 30 is just to slow, i ride a 50cc but it is derestricted and does around 40 just so i can keep up with the traffic. the law should be changed in my opinion
I agree 30 is just to slow, i ride a 50cc but it is derestricted and does around 40 just so i can keep up with the traffic. the law should be changed in my opinion
Posted by: alperin ozcan, london on 9:58pm Sun 21 Oct 07
i bought a brand new aerox it does 32mph top speed and i hate it because its restrected and wen i am on the road no 1 does 30mph and you feel bad because you are going slow and people hate you so much and i got over taken loads of times and if i didnt look at mirrors i can get ran over or hit by a vehicle i just wana say this law is pointless atleast 50mphh a ped should do.
i bought a brand new aerox it does 32mph top speed and i hate it because its restrected and wen i am on the road no 1 does 30mph and you feel bad because you are going slow and people hate you so much and i got over taken loads of times and if i didnt look at mirrors i can get ran over or hit by a vehicle i just wana say this law is pointless atleast 50mphh a ped should do.
Posted by: ross allen, Warwickshire on 12:05pm Thu 1 Nov 07
I agree with sam taylor,I ride a 5occ moped that I'd bought in september and trying to dirve whilst lookin in your mirrors all the time at the line of angry, swearing drivers behind you is going to cause an accident at some point.
I agree with sam taylor,I ride a 5occ moped that I'd bought in september and trying to dirve whilst lookin in your mirrors all the time at the line of angry, swearing drivers behind you is going to cause an accident at some point.
Posted by: tom, hants on 5:34pm Mon 5 Nov 07
I think it is silly that mopeds are re-stricted to 30mph you need to have a top speed of at least 50 on todays roads
I think it is silly that mopeds are re-stricted to 30mph you need to have a top speed of at least 50 on todays roads
Posted by: zarina, bognor on 3:30pm Sun 11 Nov 07
i would rather not be insured than have so many people zooming past me it becomes embaracing to the moped driver myne does 45/50 with to of us on it so i think it prob does bout 50 with 1 and i would rather be with the traffic than overtaken by so many inconciderate drivers
i would rather not be insured than have so many people zooming past me it becomes embaracing to the moped driver myne does 45/50 with to of us on it so i think it prob does bout 50 with 1 and i would rather be with the traffic than overtaken by so many inconciderate drivers
Posted by: G, somerset on 12:41am Thu 3 Jan 08
I agree with the comments made but I do not think the CBT is enough tuition as you only have to have 2 hours road training, after which to many 16 year olds think they are Valentino Rossi. Extend the CBT and include thr Therory test this will then show the young riders who have listened to the experience of the trainer and have enough common to ride at faster speeds.
I agree with the comments made but I do not think the CBT is enough tuition as you only have to have 2 hours road training, after which to many 16 year olds think they are Valentino Rossi. Extend the CBT and include thr Therory test this will then show the young riders who have listened to the experience of the trainer and have enough common to ride at faster speeds.
Posted by: Peter Quemard, Southampton on 3:49pm Fri 4 Jan 08
This law has been in place for the last 30 years, can anyone please tell me how many people have been brought to court for de-restricting a moped in that time? coz I don't know of any!
This law has been in place for the last 30 years, can anyone please tell me how many people have been brought to court for de-restricting a moped in that time? coz I don't know of any!
Posted by: ginger spinner, havant on 8:07pm Tue 8 Jan 08
almost every teenager in the uk has a de restricted moped enyway so whats the point of restricting them in the first place!!!!!!!!!
almost every teenager in the uk has a de restricted moped enyway so whats the point of restricting them in the first place!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Cal91, Middlesbrough on 11:31pm Tue 8 Jan 08
I have a 50cc moped and i like riding it. It Does 45mph and thats still not fast enough. I have been riding for 3 month now, ive nearly been knocked off 4 times. Only once was my fault and thats because i misjudged the power at a roundabout. I can hardly keep up with traffic and it doesnt help with agressive drivers behind you. 30mph is to slow, these things can legally ride on the A66 or A19 which do in excess of 60mph. Its madness to restrict a 50cc engine anyway!
I have a 50cc moped and i like riding it. It Does 45mph and thats still not fast enough. I have been riding for 3 month now, ive nearly been knocked off 4 times. Only once was my fault and thats because i misjudged the power at a roundabout. I can hardly keep up with traffic and it doesnt help with agressive drivers behind you. 30mph is to slow, these things can legally ride on the A66 or A19 which do in excess of 60mph. Its madness to restrict a 50cc engine anyway!
Posted by: Cal91, Middlesbrough on 11:36pm Tue 8 Jan 08
[italic]Just adding from mine above![/italic]
I have passed a few police cars and ive been doing 45mph and they dont give a crap. One police car even overtook me.
Just adding from mine above!
I have passed a few police cars and ive been doing 45mph and they dont give a crap. One police car even overtook me.
Posted by: Dan, Bournemouth on 12:21am Fri 11 Jan 08
i have a benelli k2 and it is a 50cc but the manufacturer benelli do not fit them with a restrictor, does this mean a 16 yr old can legally ride it? as the insurance must know that benelli do not fit the 50cc moped with a restrictor therefore goes about 65mph which is alot safer then 30mph
i have a benelli k2 and it is a 50cc but the manufacturer benelli do not fit them with a restrictor, does this mean a 16 yr old can legally ride it? as the insurance must know that benelli do not fit the 50cc moped with a restrictor therefore goes about 65mph which is alot safer then 30mph
Posted by: jordan, bournemouth on 5:38pm Tue 22 Jan 08
im gettin a rs 50 soon and my mum keeps sayin ive got ot get it restriced but ive ridden bikes for about 4 years now and i dont want to be embarrased when my friends are zooming past me[bold]bold[/bold]
im gettin a rs 50 soon and my mum keeps sayin ive got ot get it restriced but ive ridden bikes for about 4 years now and i dont want to be embarrased when my friends are zooming past me
Posted by: murfy, preston on 6:53pm Mon 28 Jan 08
[bold]bold[/bold] Is the age for mopeds goin up
Is the age for mopeds goin up
Posted by: Dan, Bournemouth on 11:55pm Tue 29 Jan 08
na it aint mate
Posted by: Julie, East Sussex on 10:55am Tue 5 Feb 08
We had to have our 50cc moped derestricted as it couldn't get up some of the hills where I live. It was extremely dangerous as they are winding hills where traffic behind you can not overtake - hence got extremely irate.
We had to have our 50cc moped derestricted as it couldn't get up some of the hills where I live. It was extremely dangerous as they are winding hills where traffic behind you can not overtake - hence got extremely irate.
Posted by: Phil, england on 9:41pm Tue 5 Feb 08
Being restricted to 30mph is stupid, iI ride to school every day and get overtaken at least 5 times every single day. 2/3 of the roads i use to get to school are 60mph roads and most of the remaining roads are 40mph and 50mph. Because of this i am constantly holding everyone up and this makes people over take at stupid places nearly knocking me off. Most drivers don't give you enough space but you can't really blame them because of the top speed possible, which for me is about 32mph. The law should definatley be changed so that ped riders can at keep up with drivers or at least go only 10mph slower rather than 30mph slower. It's obvious nobody thinks that this law works and if it stays like this it will cause more accidents than it will stop.
Being restricted to 30mph is stupid, iI ride to school every day and get overtaken at least 5 times every single day. 2/3 of the roads i use to get to school are 60mph roads and most of the remaining roads are 40mph and 50mph. Because of this i am constantly holding everyone up and this makes people over take at stupid places nearly knocking me off. Most drivers don't give you enough space but you can't really blame them because of the top speed possible, which for me is about 32mph. The law should definatley be changed so that ped riders can at keep up with drivers or at least go only 10mph slower rather than 30mph slower. It's obvious nobody thinks that this law works and if it stays like this it will cause more accidents than it will stop.
Posted by: Andrew S, Halesowen on 11:18am Sat 9 Feb 08
Another example of nanny state. 30mph max is dangerously slow in modern traffic conditions for all the reasons others have said here. This law must be 40-50yrs old when mopeds were Motorised Pedal cycles which had to be capable of being propelled by pedals and traffic was slower with less of it. We have moved on since then and the law has not kept up with the times. About time the gov't looked at this and stopped putting 16 yr olds at risk. Max of 50 would be more sensible.
Another example of nanny state. 30mph max is dangerously slow in modern traffic conditions for all the reasons others have said here. This law must be 40-50yrs old when mopeds were Motorised Pedal cycles which had to be capable of being propelled by pedals and traffic was slower with less of it. We have moved on since then and the law has not kept up with the times. About time the gov't looked at this and stopped putting 16 yr olds at risk. Max of 50 would be more sensible.
Posted by: william, falkirk on 2:19am Wed 27 Feb 08
i think it is mental that the rs50 is restricted to a 30 people pass u all the time and peep and shout out thare windows i think u should b aloud to de-restrict a 50cc to about 45-50 thats not bad atleast u can keep up with the traffic
i think it is mental that the rs50 is restricted to a 30 people pass u all the time and peep and shout out thare windows i think u should b aloud to de-restrict a 50cc to about 45-50 thats not bad atleast u can keep up with the traffic
Posted by: wilam, falkirk on 2:30am Wed 27 Feb 08
i jist baught a 2008 rs50 does anyone no how or whare i can get it de-restricted becase i think its mad that its restricted to 30mph max when its de-restricted at least u can keep up with the traffic on main roads bacause i heard thare not good at all restricted what do u think?????
i jist baught a 2008 rs50 does anyone no how or whare i can get it de-restricted becase i think its mad that its restricted to 30mph max when its de-restricted at least u can keep up with the traffic on main roads bacause i heard thare not good at all restricted what do u think?????
Posted by: Dion, Portsmouth on 3:43pm Wed 27 Feb 08
I rode a 50cc for two years and i understand why people consider not being able to go faster than 30mph a danger. Car drivers couldnt care less if they cut you up or overtake you on bends, putting your life at risk as well as their own. Ive always wanted some kind of mini cam put on my helmet so i could upload the vids to youtube.. honestly unless you have been there you wouldnt believe it!
I now have a 125cc and refuse to break the speed limit, much to the anoyance of everyone else on the road. If car drivers backed off and gave you the room any learner deserves then you wouldnt feel the need to be able to go just that little bit faster!
I rode a 50cc for two years and i understand why people consider not being able to go faster than 30mph a danger. Car drivers couldnt care less if they cut you up or overtake you on bends, putting your life at risk as well as their own. Ive always wanted some kind of mini cam put on my helmet so i could upload the vids to youtube.. honestly unless you have been there you wouldnt believe it!
I now have a 125cc and refuse to break the speed limit, much to the anoyance of everyone else on the road. If car drivers backed off and gave you the room any learner deserves then you wouldnt feel the need to be able to go just that little bit faster!
Posted by: Dan, Chichester on 8:57pm Mon 3 Mar 08
I'v been on the road for nearly 4 months now on my powerband 50 it will easally cruse at between 40-44mph and I'v done nothing to it and pulls away catching up with most cars (to start with :p) but my biggest worry when i first got it was the fact i was going to be going so much slower than every other car on the road, luckaly its not quite as bad as i was expecting, but still going up the A27 at 40 isnt the most comfortable thing to do. Although happy with it I do agree that the law should be changed so that you could legaly take it upto 50mph because i know that many do do slide along at not much over 30mph... even if it was after an extended CBT as you do get some idiots out there that are asking to be written off when overtaking a car slowing down and indercating right.[italic]italic[/italic] [bold]bold[/bold]
I'v been on the road for nearly 4 months now on my powerband 50 it will easally cruse at between 40-44mph and I'v done nothing to it and pulls away catching up with most cars (to start with :p) but my biggest worry when i first got it was the fact i was going to be going so much slower than every other car on the road, luckaly its not quite as bad as i was expecting, but still going up the A27 at 40 isnt the most comfortable thing to do. Although happy with it I do agree that the law should be changed so that you could legaly take it upto 50mph because i know that many do do slide along at not much over 30mph... even if it was after an extended CBT as you do get some idiots out there that are asking to be written off when overtaking a car slowing down and indercating right.
Posted by: Dan, essex on 3:48pm Sat 8 Mar 08
30mph, god if i went at that speed.. in town 30 is good, i feel more secure going at that speed, there are always obstacles to avoid etc, but as soon as you leave town, 30 is absolutely rediculous, travelling 40 is bad enough. i think 50mph speed limit is a sensible one. i have had many cars try to overtake me round bends, when they see a car come the other way they rarely brake and fall behind, they just try to cut across the front of you, but ultimately, if it comes down to it, it is much safer for them to just ram you off the road than crash headlong into another vehicle.
30mph, god if i went at that speed.. in town 30 is good, i feel more secure going at that speed, there are always obstacles to avoid etc, but as soon as you leave town, 30 is absolutely rediculous, travelling 40 is bad enough. i think 50mph speed limit is a sensible one. i have had many cars try to overtake me round bends, when they see a car come the other way they rarely brake and fall behind, they just try to cut across the front of you, but ultimately, if it comes down to it, it is much safer for them to just ram you off the road than crash headlong into another vehicle.
Posted by: Dan, Bournemouth on 8:33pm Mon 17 Mar 08
i have a 50cc peugeot ludix blaster and it easily hits 60 onwards...
to be honest
police wont pull you over and nick ya unless ya driving like a ****... not here they dont anyway.
i have a 50cc peugeot ludix blaster and it easily hits 60 onwards...
to be honest
police wont pull you over and nick ya unless ya driving like a ****... not here they dont anyway.
Posted by: Ryan, derbyshire on 9:30pm Tue 1 Jul 08
i have a sym 50cc it does 30 max it is dangerous i cant keep up wit eveyone on most rads i think it should be resticeter to 50mph-70mph
i have a sym 50cc it does 30 max it is dangerous i cant keep up wit eveyone on most rads i think it should be resticeter to 50mph-70mph
Posted by: Andrew Baker, Bristol on 5:55pm Thu 10 Jul 08
I have a Piaggio Zip 50, it goes extremly slow, and very very poor on hills. the acceleration it really poor also, i am gettin it derestricted tomorrow, wonder if any of this will improve?
I have a Piaggio Zip 50, it goes extremly slow, and very very poor on hills. the acceleration it really poor also, i am gettin it derestricted tomorrow, wonder if any of this will improve?
Posted by: dan on 3:08pm Wed 16 Jul 08
what **** thought of restricting it to 30mph... TO SLOW stick the **** whou though of it on a restricted bike for the rest of his life he will soon realise.
what **** thought of restricting it to 30mph... TO SLOW stick the **** whou though of it on a restricted bike for the rest of his life he will soon realise.
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