How to Ride a Moped
It is easier to ride a moped than it is to ride a motorcycle, and you can still get some of the same thrill that is at the heart of whatever draws us to two-wheeled vehicles. The licensing procedure can be simpler. There's a bit less to keep in mind, than compared to a motorcycle. Read on to learn more.
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Instructions
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General considerations
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Get any necessary training, depending on where you live. Different countries take different approaches to how they allow you to ride mopeds on the street. In the United Kingdom, for example, you can only hold a provisional license when you turn 16, and you are barred from riding on the highway.
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Keep in mind that it is very similar to riding a bicycle. It is not as lightweight, of course, but it isn't very heavy, either, and once you get moving, your body and the forward motion of the moped will help you keep balanced.
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Check the laws for the state in which you live, as they vary widely. In some states, you only need an automobile license, while in others you must have a motorcycle license in order to ride a moped.
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Be centered. Your body controls the direction of the moped as much as your steering does, so you have to think of a "whole body" approach to driving. This, you notice, is quite different from driving a car, where your body position doesn't much affect anything that the car may do.
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Ride alone. A moped isn't built with the power that a motorcycle has, so it can be extremely dangerous to you and others if you carry someone with you.
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Read--carefully and completely--all laws and rules governing your use of your moped. There are very specific requirements regarding the types of roadways you may and may not ride on, and here, as in everything else, "ignorance of the law is no excuse," and will not get you out of trouble with law enforcement officials.
Specific concerns
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Start the moped with a key ignition, as you would a motorcycle or a car. Nowadays, mopeds come with automatic transmission and a start switch, making it simple to start and stop.
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Use the throttle as with a motorcycle. Rolling back will increase your speed, while rolling it forward will decrease your speed. Be careful to keep your knuckles more or less pointed upwards when cruising; this will help you to not inadvertently roll back too far on the throttle.
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Use both brakes evenly whenever you need to come to a stop. If you just use the front brake, and if you have enough velocity, you risk having the back end of the moped pop up on you and you could lose control.
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Turn by leaning into your turn so that the process is a full-body process more than a simple turning of the handlebars. At slow speeds, you can use the handlebars to change direction. At the higher velocities, lean into the turn, adding forward pressure to the handlebar on the side in the direction of your turn.
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Tips & Warnings
Check with the local office of the Department of Motor Vehicles to determine what pre-tests you may need to take before hopping on your moped. You can also ask them for the location of training courses that can help get you on your way safely.
Mopeds are known for their ease of use. Part of that comes from the fact that they are generally automatic in their shifting, so the rider doesn't need to worry about a clutch and gear shifting as on motorcycle.
As with motorcycles, remember that many motorists simply cannot "see" you because they aren't expecting you. Thus, always drive as though you are invisible--that is, give plenty of space between all vehicles and your moped, and be extremely courteous and forward-thinking as you drive through traffic. In any confrontation, a car will certainly "win," so take every precaution to avoid collisions of any kind.
