With people becoming more and more conscious of the environment and looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint, people are turning to more environment friendly vehicles like hybrids, scooters, motorcycles, and mopeds. Mopeds are motorized bikes that have a small engine attached to front or rear of the bike that drive the vehicle forward. Originally mopeds were actually bicycles with small motors that helped reduced the amount of pedaling a person would have to do.

Mopeds have been around for more than 50 years but have recently begun to really take off and become much more popular. The 50cc moped is the best selling size according to most dealers. The reason for this is probably that they are the smallest size you can ride in most places without a special license. Really 50cc mopeds are actually under 50cc's - 49.1, 49.9, etc.The only bad thing about mopeds that small is that they don't go very fast factory default and cannot go on the interstate.

A helmet and correct clothing is needed when riding a moped which most moped shops will willingly supply. You can also find them online with a little research. You will also need insurance and a license for any engine over 50cc in most areas.

Check out my scooter and moped guide for 2009 for more information!

Benefits Of Owning A Moped 50cc

The obvious big advantage of mopeds is their low cost. A cheap 50cc moped will only set you back maybe $500 to $1,500. Even a moped that small can hold around 240-260 pounds which is usually enough for most people plus whatever they need to store on their bike. Many mopeds have a nice storage space under the seat big enough for a full face helmet.

Another benefit of mopeds which is a major reason that many people are switching to them is their low fuel consumption and great gas mileage. This is very apparent in 50cc mopeds due to their smaller size and lighter frame. Many 50cc mopeds can get over 80 mpg and some even over 100 mpg.

Maintenance and insurance costs are much lower for mopeds than other traditional vehicles. Insurance is actually quite affordable for mopeds with many plans under $100 a month. If you keep your moped in good shape most repairs are fairly simple and with regular maintenance you won't see any problems for years hopefully.

If the next time you're out you look around and try to find people who are riding mopeds today you will notice just how many people are riding mopeds around now a days. Many of those will be 50cc mopeds that let you get around town at a very affordable price. If you've every ridden on a moped before you will know what a fun time it can be. Play it smart and ride safely and mopeds are not nearly as dangerous as some may make it seem. Overall the advantages of 50cc mopeds outweigh the downsides by far.