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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Are mopeds a big no no?

43 replies

SpartacusJam · 15/07/2021 13:57

Name changed

We live on an estate with a one car per household policy. When we bought the house we had two cars, the vendor assured us that in practice many households, including theirs, have more than one car here, and that parking was never an issue as there are also enough households with no car. We naively believed him and bought the house. Once here we soon realised that parking is a contentious issue and the subject of many an angry post in the estate’s social media group, as well daily notes left on cars that are parked in the wrong spot. DH therefore decided it best that he got a moped for his daily commute which he promptly did. So, we are no longer contributing to the parking issue anymore, moped lives in the garden when not in use. Someone today has complained that the moped is very loud, and that they’d have thought whoever owns it would have had more consideration for everyone else on the estate.

I feel quite irked by this as DH sold his car and got the moped primarily so we wouldn’t be contributing to the parking issue anymore, although obviously it does also mean less hassle for him hunting around for an empty visitor’s spot, or parking off the estate and walking across which he used to do, instead of nicking someone else’s spot as many others seem happy enough to do.

My question is this: is it unreasonable to use a moped for your daily commute when you live on a housing estate? I can’t see how it’s any more or less inconsiderate to using one when you live in other scenarios e.g on a street etc. Or is it just inconsiderate no matter where you live?

OP posts:

Soubriquet · 15/07/2021 14:00

It sounds like they just like moaning about everything

Keep the moped

FortunesFave · 15/07/2021 14:01

Don't look at the social media group. The things are ridiculous anyway...why does anyone need a bloody estate 'group'??

GlacindaTheTroll · 15/07/2021 14:02

Assuming your DH's scooter is one of normal volume (not one of the really loud/harsh ones) then of course it's fine.

But if he has got one of the 'angry hairdryer' really intrusive ones, then I think the right thing would be to change models ASAP

One final possibility is that your DH is not riding it well. Has he done a proper course? (I'm guessing not, as people who have passed bike test would usually go for something higher cc than most mopeds)

LST · 15/07/2021 14:03

Just ignore them. They can't stop you owning and using a scooter! World's gone mad

AlmostSummer21 · 15/07/2021 14:11

I would be looking at Rightmove.

Moped is fine, if you're not coming in & out a million times a day and half the night. The kid across the road has one, he's an inconsiderate little sod anyway, this just adds to his charm.

I'm sure your DH is far less annoying.

Personally I'd put a comment on the chat, saying you replaced your second car to help with the parking issue & your DH needs it for work, it's a moped nor a chinook, so pipe down!

Or just 'Give it a rest Fgs'

I would reply though, so it doesn't look like you're not admitting you have the moped in question.

Original poster

SpartacusJam · 15/07/2021 14:33

@FortunesFave

Don't look at the social media group. The things are ridiculous anyway...why does anyone need a bloody estate 'group'??

It has its pros and cons…it can help foster a sense of community, people often give things away on it and a lot of people have used it to offer help to anyone that might be sick/isolating due to Covid. It’s also a quick and easy way to reach everyone when cats/car keys/mail is lost and found. But yes, lots of complaining on it too. Overall I think it has a positive impact as it connects people. Running, walking, football, gaming, and baby groups have all successfully started up via the group in the past. Whilst you can chat in person to your immediate neighbours this extends that significantly.

OP posts:

Original poster

SpartacusJam · 15/07/2021 14:40

@GlacindaTheTroll

Assuming your DH's scooter is one of normal volume (not one of the really loud/harsh ones) then of course it's fine.

But if he has got one of the 'angry hairdryer' really intrusive ones, then I think the right thing would be to change models ASAP

I think it’s of normal volume, but don’t have a great deal of experience with them…it’s certainly no louder than anything I’ve heard on the roads before. Quieter than a proper motorbike for sure. He’s done the CBT needed to ride a moped but nothing above that.

OP posts:

Original poster

SpartacusJam · 15/07/2021 14:51

I don’t think I’m going to respond to her comment, I cba to get into a disagreement with her.

OP posts:

lanthanum · 15/07/2021 14:53

Unless the moped is extra-loud because it needs servicing, no reason not to use it. Very sensible solution, and perhaps more of the households with two cars should follow your lead.

"When we bought the house we had two cars, the vendor assured us that in practice many households, including theirs, have more than one car here, and that parking was never an issue as there are also enough households with no car."

We used to live in a street with no off-street parking and only enough room for one car per house - but no allocated spaces or residents parking scheme. When selling, some potential buyers asked about parking. We didn't have a car and visitors had never had a problem finding a space, BUT the new neighbours had two cars and an empty house across the road was on the market, so together with any cars owned by our buyers, the situation could change pretty quickly. We did tell potential buyers all of that - but we were selling in an area where very many houses were in the same boat, so we weren't too worried about not getting a buyer.

Original poster

SpartacusJam · 15/07/2021 14:56

@Soubriquet @LST

Agreed. I didn’t think we were being inconsiderate but then her comment made me second guess myself.

OP posts:

igelkott2021 · 15/07/2021 15:01

I think it would be obvious to you if it was loud and irritating. As long as your DH doesn't sit there revving it up for 10 minutes before he goes out, like my neighbour does with his motorbike (fortunately very infrequently).

Some people complain about everything. Ignore.

Original poster

SpartacusJam · 15/07/2021 15:02

@lanthanum I’ll give the vendor the benefit of the doubt then! Possibly the parking situation was fine when we viewed and had changed by the time we got the keys. It was nearly 6 months later in all fairness. Damn COVID.

OP posts:

TulipsTwoLips · 15/07/2021 15:05

Be like the queen and just dont comment! Housing estates are no place for people who want to live in silence.

SilverOak · 15/07/2021 15:06

It isn’t unreasonable to have a moped. My biggest concern is for the rider, who always seems to think the road is softer when you’re on a moped. Off topic but it puzzles me why motorbike riders wear full leathers while moped riders do the same speed on the same roads and think that ordinary clothes are sufficient.

Original poster

SpartacusJam · 15/07/2021 15:07

As long as your DH doesn't sit there revving it up for 10 minutes before he goes out

Definitely doesn’t do this, I’d be having words with him myself if he did!

OP posts:

Original poster

SpartacusJam · 15/07/2021 15:11

Housing estates are no place for people who want to live in silence.

Truth!

OP posts:

lanthanum · 15/07/2021 15:11

Someone should suggest looking at whether one of the car club schemes would cover your estate. The ones I've come across have designated spaces for their cars; you book the car online and go and pick it up from its space to use it. With limited parking, and more people working from home, it's a great way to enable people to ditch the second (or even first) car but still have access to one when they need it.

MrsFin · 15/07/2021 15:12

How has the estate banned two cars per house? How does that work with houses that have adult DCs at home?
Pretty much every house has more than two cars these days.

MrsFin · 15/07/2021 15:12

Is it in your deeds?

Original poster

SpartacusJam · 15/07/2021 15:13

@SilverOak I could be wrong but I think mopeds can only go at much lower speeds than motorbikes…

OP posts:

PigletJohn · 15/07/2021 16:34

If it is an actual moped, and has the manufactuer's original silencer fitted, in good condition, it should not be very noisy.

however there are many bikers who like to add extra noise to their machines.

Extra noise is very annoying, and probably an offense.

A legal silencer should probably stamped with the British Standard reference for road use to prove it (BS AU 193a: 1990/T3 to be precise). But I have never bought an illegal one so I can't say what to look for.

SilverOak · 15/07/2021 16:40

The road is still hard regardless of your speed... at 30mph an unprotected hand or knee which hits the tarmac will wear down to the bone in less than 1 second. Not to mention the weight of the moped which can break an ankle beyond repair if you’re not wearing solid boots.

gogohm · 15/07/2021 16:58

Unfortunately you have a neighbour problem! We have two very loud motorbikes, I'll visit if you want to really wind them up! Seriously unless there's a covenant there is nothing they can do.

NeedNewKnees · 15/07/2021 17:01

[quote SpartacusJam]@SilverOak I could be wrong but I think mopeds can only go at much lower speeds than motorbikes…[/quote]
If it’s a 50cc it will only go 30mph. A 125 isn’t legally restricted to a slow speed, it goes as fast as the engine can manage given the weight of the load.

PigletJohn · 15/07/2021 17:01

@gogohm

Unfortunately you have a neighbour problem! We have two very loud motorbikes, I'll visit if you want to really wind them up! Seriously unless there's a covenant there is nothing they can do.

unless perhaps, the bike has been modified to create excessive noise.

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