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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Would you let your 16 year old daughter have a moped?

70 replies

GetOrfMoiLand · 01/03/2011 19:52

DD is 16 in December and would like a moped for her birthday present.

DP is a biker and she loves riding on the back.

My initial thought is to shriek 'over my dead body'. We live in a city centre and I have visions of her being run over by juggernaughts.

OP posts:
fluffles · 01/03/2011 21:52

personally i bicycle in city traffic and i don't think that a moped is any more dangerous in the inner city as the speeds are always under 30mph.

i wouldn't let a child drive a motorbike or out of a 30mph zone but inside one i think i probably would.. afterall i would let them bicycle.

OldLadyKnowsNothing · 01/03/2011 21:54

I would imagine that a moped is safer than a pushbike, if only because it's physically bigger, but I'm willing to stand corrected.

LessNarkyPuffin · 01/03/2011 21:55

If you don't trust them don't give them anything. But without transport they're more likely to be relying on other teens driving them.

I'd rather have them in a car with crumple zones, seatbelts and airbags.

OldLadyKnowsNothing · 01/03/2011 22:07

"Relying on other teens" is very true.

SmethwickBelle · 01/03/2011 22:13

I have conflicting feelings on this... I had a motorbike (100cc) at 17. I did get knocked off it and broke my leg and arm about six months later but went on to ride increasingly large bikes for a further six years without injury or incident Grin.

Despite what my accident may make you think I always felt safer on a bike than in a car as generally you can hear and see pretty much 360 degrees around you if you need to. Once I switched to a car I had to squint around the door sills and bob my head out the windows to see what was coming up my inside. It teaches you really great road awareness.

I'd probably let a child of mine have one, if they were not the sort to get easily riled - one thing I have seen is that motorcycles + angry young men or women/road rage = an appalling combination.

midnightexpress · 01/03/2011 22:16

When I was a teenager (in the country, and about 100 years ago) at least 5 of my friends were killed on mopeds. I'd be v upset if my DSs wanted one. However, DP just did Hmm this face and said all his friends (in London) had one too and none of them died. So. Make of that what you will.

Original poster
GetOrfMoiLand · 01/03/2011 22:18

Thanks everyone.

One thing - dd has good road sense, she rides her push bike all over the city at the moment, so can negotiate the roundabouts as well. She would only use it to drive round the city - won't be going on any country roads.

I don't know. The risks seem to outweigh the benefits, however I live with someone who has been a lifelong biker with no mishaps, and he thinks it isa great way of getting to know the roads.

OP posts:
IHeartKingThistle · 01/03/2011 22:21

My dad knocked a girl off her moped 40 years ago. She wasn't hurt but he has never forgotten it and when I was going to get a moped at 22 he asked me not to. It's the only time he's ever asked me not to do something, and I didn't get one.

But these points about cars are so true. I was a sensible teen and still there were a couple of times I got into cars when I knew I shouldn't have.

So I'm no help at all, really. Sorry!

sharon2609 · 01/03/2011 22:28

I work in a hospital..... Def NOT

Maryz · 01/03/2011 22:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OldLadyKnowsNothing · 01/03/2011 22:35

sharon2609, do you never treat the victims of teenage car crashes, then?

sharon2609 · 01/03/2011 23:12

yes.the injuries are awful

sharon2609 · 02/03/2011 00:16

But OTOH also see adults that have been in car accidents

fortyplus · 02/03/2011 00:31

midnightexpress - moped were only restricted to 30mph in about 1979 so if you're anywhere near as ancient as me there were lads riding 'mopeds' that had been souped up to do about 80 mph. I knew several who were killed.

I had a moped at 16 and crashed it 3 times - twice my fault and once a car pulling out in front of me.

I suspect that a moped at 30mph with full face helmet is less dangerous than a pushbike without head protection.

maras2 · 02/03/2011 00:33

NO WAY !

OldLadyKnowsNothing · 02/03/2011 00:44

maras2, got any sort of reasoning for that?

maras2 · 02/03/2011 00:52

Sorry.Didn't mean to be all shouty.I'll post later or tomorrow with a reason.Just a ratbag at the moment.Sorry again. M.

OldLadyKnowsNothing · 02/03/2011 01:06

Fair enough. :) We all get shouty from time to time.

VivaLeBeaver · 02/03/2011 07:55

But if a car pulls out infront of a push bike you can stop the bike straight away, stopping distance is about 2ftmax. Or you can swerve the bike very easily and quickly. You can't with a moped due to the fact that you're going faster and the moped is heavier.

bamboostalks · 02/03/2011 08:04

Never. Teens are never as sensible as we think a 'sensible' one is. They do not have developed judgement and take risks. My dh had one and broke both legs.. separate incidents! within 6 months.
My mum worked in A and E and 'donor' bike accidents were so common, her stories were heartbreaking. It was the one thing she asked my brother not to do...and he has a pilot's license so not risk adverse.

DurhamDurham · 02/03/2011 08:10

I don't think my 17 year old dd could concentrate long enought to be in charge of a moped....or put her mobile phone down long enough!!

I just think that on a moped they have no 'protection', if they are invloved in a collision they will always come off badly. I'm a worrier anyway and always breathe a sigh of relief when the girls come home. I would go grey overnight and be a nervous wreck if either of them were on a moped.

hogsback · 02/03/2011 08:21

If she is a safe and sensible cyclist and she has a good role model biker in her life then go for it! As many have said 'peds don't go any faster than a pushbike anyway and she will be safer due to better lights, better helmet, gloves etc. CBT will teach her the basics and if you buy a 2-way radio set such as instructors use, your DP should be able to teach her all the important stuff such as lane positioning, hazard assessment, positioning etc.

Regarding models, does she want a twist-and-go scooter or a proper geared bike. The advantage of the t-a-g is no gears to worry about. The advantage of a 50cc geared bike is higher riding position for improved visibility anduch better brakes and stability.

Personally I would recommend a geared 50cc. The Aprilia RS50 is the cool kids favourite but in a city a dirt/supermoto bike such as a Derbi Senda makes more sense due to the high riding position and long suspension to soak up potholes and manhole covers etc which knock scooter riders flying.

hogsback · 02/03/2011 08:32

Viva: mopeds have much stronger brakes than pushbikes and a much larger contact patch so you can really work those brakes. At 30mph most of you stopping distance is reaction time anyway which is the same whatever vehicle you are in. Training in observation and hazard assessment is what matters.

kreecherlivesupstairs · 02/03/2011 08:37

Not while I have breath in my body. DD is already asking about one (she isn't yet 10). A lot of the older students at her school have vespa types and she thinks they look cool.
If we were staying in Belgium, I would possibly consider it, as we are moving to the UK without the bike lanes she has no chance.

therugratref · 02/03/2011 08:47

I work in a trauma ICU. So no, I would not let my 16 year old ride a motor bike.
If you decide to get her one insist that she wears full leathers, proper bike boots, gloves and a decent helmet. The right protective gear can make a huge diffence in terms of injuries. I have seen some hideously mangled teenagers in my professional life most wearing inadequate clothing.

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