The only constant in the world is change. In the 1970s I worked at gas stations from the time I was in grades 9 through 12. The oil crises at its peak and smaller cars and motorcycles were what many looked to, to save money. Cars and even motorcycles were still costly. All the sudden a solution appeared from Europe and Asia, and it was cheap! No license, insurance, registration and you could ride more than 100 miles for 35 cents. It was all the rage, my family of 5 had 3 of them. One was from a familiar name to many of us old cyclists, Motobecane from France and two Garelli from Italy. Mopeds.
They were the rage, if you can believe it. Local car dealers gave away mopeds with the purchase of a new car. They were everywhere, ticking off all the car drivers. To our family they were more of a novelty, at the time I rode motorcycles and "10 speeds". People took this alternative seriously. I saw many turn up at the gas station, wasting my time for a 25 cent purchase
Eventually municipalities passed laws, required licenses and insurance. Mopeds are barely a footnote in American Transportation.... then e-mopeds... I'm not sure how this ends up. Certainly, regulations are coming where there's will or need. Governments will look to get their cut. History repeating itself?
Negative perceptions are definitely gaining steam about these things we've grown to love so much. I wish we could separate from the mopeds, but I think the die might be cast.
I was struck by these guys posting this as though they are the victims. The MTBr was right!
Our fellow ebikers.