Scooters and Mopeds – Make Them Get a License and Insurance!

If you live in Evansville city proper as I do, then perhaps you share my angst over scooters and mopeds. What was once designed for youthful fun and recreation has become a way for those folks that are unable to obtain or keep a driver's license to still get around. With that being said, my grief comes from this:

Many, not all but many moped or scooter riders do not obey the rules of the road. They violate all of the current laws on the books, which I have posted below. I want our city to put laws on the books or enforce current ones more stringently so that scooters and mopeds will return to being what they were intended for - fun and recreation for those responsible enough to handle it.

I know for a fact, that many adults who currently ride scooters or mopeds are in this position because they have lost their driver's license due to DUI or being a habitual offender of traffic violation.  So, we take away their driver's license to operate a car/truck, etc. and turn them loose on a scooter where they can drive unlicensed and uninsured.

I would love to start a petition to present to the mayor and other officials to put a new local ordinance on the books holding the above mentioned 100 percent accountable, and to more strongly enforce current laws, which are below.

If you think I'm making sense, consider this a petition that you can sign with your comments. I can present the info to the mayor and police chief if enough people feel as strongly as I do.

Think about it, because if you have a scooter cut across lanes and run into the side of the car, guess whose insurance will be paying for everything? Yours!

Again, this is not to condemn all scooter and moped riders.  Just those who are flagrant in their ignoring of current traffic laws, etc.

Check out the current laws from the BMV below - below that, a story from our Eyewitness News partners. and the Courier and Press

IC 9-13-2-109 Motorized bicycle
Sec. 109. "Motorized bicycle" means a two (2) or three (3) wheeled vehicle that is propelled by an internal combustion engine or a battery powered motor, and if powered by an internal combustion engine, has the following:
(1) An engine rating of not more than two (2) horsepower and a cylinder capacity not exceeding fifty (50) cubic centimeters.
(2) An automatic transmission.
(3) A maximum design speed of not more than twenty-five (25) miles per hour on a flat surface.
The term does not include an electric personal assistive mobility device.

IC 9-21-11-12
Motorized bicycles; prohibitions on operation; conditions
Sec. 12. A motorized bicycle may not be operated under any of the following conditions:
(1) By a person less than fifteen (15) years of age.
(2) By a person who has not obtained an identification card under IC 9-24, a permit under IC 9-24, an operator's license under IC 9-24, a chauffeur's license under IC 9-24, or a public passenger chauffeur's license under IC 9-24.
(3) On an interstate highway or a sidewalk.
(4) At a speed greater than twenty-five (25) miles per hour.