Have you ever been frustrated by driving behind a moped or scooter on the road?
- Are scooters allowed to ride in roadway with cars?
- Vespa of Orlando discusses scooter, moped rules
- CHART: FHP-recognized scooter types, rules for each (PDF)
Lou Ramon of Orlando writes in this week:
"Are mopeds allowed on the road with cars? I have cruised at normal speed limits, and the moped is going at a much slower speed, causing safety issues when drivers become frustrated."
For this week’s answer, we visited Bruce Albertson, a lifelong resident of Central Florida and owner of Vespa Orlando in Winter Park.
For those of you who don’t know, Vespa is an Italian scooter. Albertson’s business has been successful in Winter Park because its roadways are generally scooter-friendly.
“The area suits this very well," Albertson said. "The parking is great, and gas economy is very, very good.”
Albertson rides a Vespa every day to and from work and makes sure that his customers know when they enter his store that they have every right to be on the road, just like a car.
“We try to tell people to protect themselves on the road," Albertson said. "Each lane, you’re allowed to use the (scooters).”
Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Kim Montes agreed.
“These vehicles have a right to be on the road. Bicycle, moped, scooter... these vehicles that go at a slower speed have a right to be in that lane as they travel down the roadway,” she said.
Montes advises motorists to use caution when coming upon a vehicle such as a scooter as she has seen multiple accidents involving fatalities involving scooters being rear-ended.
“I think sometimes the drivers get frustrated when they come upon a vehicle that is going slower, especially in our speed-limit zones that are rated for higher speeds going 45 to 50 mph," Montes said.
"Realize you have to share the road. They are allowed to be there. The only places they can’t be are your limited-access highways, your interstates, your toll roads.”
For anybody thinking about purchasing or renting a scooter, there are at least 10 types recognized by FHP with different classifications and different power capabilities and requirements for licensing and helmets.
“Some of them can keep up with traffic," Albertson said. "Some of them, you can pass traffic, and some of them you can blow by traffic.”
For more information on scooter or moped classifications in Florida, check out this graphic (PDF).
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