Mopeds of the '50s
Possibly the earliest "hybrid" vehicles, mopeds came to prominence after World War II. Beginning as motored bicycles, these early versions combined an engine with the power of pedals. Globally, cycles with engine capacities less than 50 cc are deemed mopeds as of 2010.
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Solex VeloSolex
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Originally produced in 1946 by Solex, a French company, the VeloSolex remained in production throughout the following decade. Essentially a bicycle with an engine over the front wheel, the VeloSolex went from bicycle to moped through the squeezing of a power lever on the handle.
Mobylette
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A Motobecan Mobylette French manufacturer Motobecane launched the Mobylette in 1949, and it retained its popularity into the 1950s. This moped had the engine near the pedals and featured a shape resembling that of a motorcycle.
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Peugeot Bima and BB2
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Adding to the French dominance of the moped market, Peugeot began selling the Bima in 1952 as a direct competitor to the Mobylette. Peugeot followed up the success of the Bima with the BB2 in the latter part of the decade.
Steyr-Puch MS-50
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Austrian bicycle manufacturer Steyr-Puch changed the moped landscape with the 1952 introduction of the MS-50. The first moped powered mainly by its engine, this model had a body design and two-speed gearshift that mimicked the motorcycles of the day more than the bicycles.
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References
- Photo Credit Schwalbe image by Ulrich Schwartz from Fotolia.com mobylette image by philae from Fotolia.com
