Moped car to come next year.... dear god why!

Glaucus · 24 Nov 2012 at 12:33

they make a license for this.
But they won't make a license for electric skateboard/segways etc. which would be absolutely fine to get around in town and commute for a huge number of people. Reduce congestion, reduce co2 and cheaper. Such electric things should be able to use cycle lanes/bus lanes etc. to help avoid slowdown of the roads.

If that takes of its going to slow down traffic flow so much and I do expect it to take off. A car at 16 even at 30mph would have been grate.

Dogbreath · 24 Nov 2012 at 12:46

chaparral said:
400cc that to high to be classed as a moped

You may also notice that it's got too many wheels to be classed as a moped. It is classed as a "Light quadricycle", and the article is simply drawing parallels with a moped since the licensing requirements and top speed are the same.

These have been around for ages in France (1980's I think), the only news is that the UK is adopting the EU legislation.

They obviously won't be allowed on motorways, they will be on L plates for starters.

Basher · 24 Nov 2012 at 12:47

peterintheghetto said:
Just, no...

Top speed is 28mph? If I get stuck behind one of those in a 40+ zone it's getting overtaken.

Well, yes

Glaucus · 24 Nov 2012 at 12:49

Dogbreath said:
They obviously won't be allowed on motorways, they will be on L plates for starters.

It won't just be 16year olds though, they will be banned on motor ways due to speed, but it would be nice if the articles said such things to put people fears off.

Basher · 24 Nov 2012 at 12:49

Glaucus said:
they make a license for this.
But they won't make a license for electric skateboard/segways etc. which would be absolutely fine to get around in town and commute for a huge number of people. Reduce congestion, reduce co2 and cheaper. Such electric things should be able to use cycle lanes/bus lanes etc. to help avoid slowdown of the roads.

If that takes of its going to slow down traffic flow so much and I do expect it to take off. A car at 16 even at 30mph would have been grate.

Segways in bus lanes!? Sounds like a stupid idea. That would cause more chaos than this little thing.

Glaucus · 24 Nov 2012 at 12:50

Basher said:
Segways in bus lanes!? Sounds like a stupid idea. That would cause more chaos than this little thing.

It's no different to push bikes that are already allowed in bus lanes.
Not only that they actually provide several solutions to current issues and would be a big step forward.
What solution does this quadbycicle license solve?

Dogbreath · 24 Nov 2012 at 12:50

Glaucus said:
they make a license for this.
But they won't make a license for electric skateboard/segways etc. which would be absolutely fine to get around in town and commute for a huge number of people. Reduce congestion, reduce co2 and cheaper. Such electric things should be able to use cycle lanes/bus lanes etc. to help avoid slowdown of the roads.

How can you possibly think that electric skateboards and Segways sharing the same lane as buses (and motorcycles in many cities) is a good idea? That would be a recipe for carnage and even worse congestion.

"andy" · 24 Nov 2012 at 12:53

sure these have already been around anyway . its the new license thats new

there was a kid on one of those traffic cop style programs who got pulled over in one because his lights where broken or rubbish

LeMson · 24 Nov 2012 at 12:55

What training would a 16 yr old need to drive one of these then?

d_brennen · 24 Nov 2012 at 12:57

Glaucus said:
It's no different to push bikes that are already allowed in bus lanes.

It always amused me when living in London, forcing the most vulnerable road users in the same lane with the some of the heaviest vehicles, driven by the most careless and impatient drivers. Allowing Segways on the roads...

Basher · 24 Nov 2012 at 12:57

Glaucus said:
It's no different to push bikes that are already allowed in bus lanes.
Not only that they actually provide several solutions to current issues and would be a big step forward.
What solution does this quadbycicle license solve?

I think segways and electric skateboards will be harder to get past.

Don't really see how it's a 'big step forward'.

mr tommo · 24 Nov 2012 at 13:15

Ridiculous. Its fairly easy to overtake a moped safely that's stuck at 28mph but I imagine these will cause a lot more accidents with people trying to overtake.

Glaucus · 24 Nov 2012 at 13:19

Basher said:
I think segways and electric skateboards will be harder to get past.

Don't really see how it's a 'big step forward'.

Small, cheap and clean transport. There needs to be a modern class of transport. Maybe not them specifically, or altered designs. But there's a massive reason to allow such or similar vehicles.

Giving transport to the "poor" which isn't self powered. Let alone air qaulity, reduction in congestion if you can get a a decent portion.

Running a motorbike and car for example is expensive, two insurances, two expensive vehicles, etc.
A cheap small electric vehicle for a couple of hundred and as such cheap insurance as crashing it isn't going to cost much repair due to low speed and light weight. Would allow people to run a car and use a cheaper transport method if they wish for commuting, shopping or whatever. Combine that with encentives like free parking intown.

hurfdurf · 24 Nov 2012 at 13:19

peterintheghetto said:
Just, no...

Top speed is 28mph? If I get stuck behind one of those in a 40+ zone it's getting overtaken.

Watch out UK road users, we have a bad ass here

Basher · 24 Nov 2012 at 13:32

Glaucus said:
Small, cheap and clean transport. There needs to be a modern class of transport. Maybe not them specifically, or altered designs. But there's a massive reason to allow such or similar vehicles.

Giving transport to the "poor" which isn't self powered. Let alone air qaulity, reduction in congestion if you can get a a decent portion.

Running a motorbike and car for example is expensive, two insurances, two expensive vehicles, etc.
A cheap small electric vehicle for a couple of hundred and as such cheap insurance as crashing it isn't going to cost much repair due to low speed and light weight. Would allow people to run a car and use a cheaper transport method if they wish for commuting, shopping or whatever. Combine that with encentives like free parking intown.

Do we want to be encouraging more cars or do we want to create decent public so they don't need free in town parking?

Glaucus · 24 Nov 2012 at 13:40

Basher said:
Do we want to be encouraging more cars or do we want to create decent public so they don't need free in town parking?

Need both, public transport will never be suitable for everyone, its also pretty much impossible in existing cities due to lack of space and the cost it would take to make underground systems. That's not to say we shouldn't be investing in public, we absolutely should. But one solution like for so many things will never provide adequate service to make the alternatives pointless.

beermonster · 24 Nov 2012 at 13:48

I can't see kids round here buying them, they can't pop wheelies and drive on the pavement, plus they can't show off their luminescent trainers.

Akagi · 24 Nov 2012 at 15:48

If I were still 16, I would rather walk, cycle, take the train, take the bus, crawl, or be dragged behind a car. Any of those would be less humilating.

Akagi · 24 Nov 2012 at 15:51

LeMson said:
What training would a 16 yr old need to drive one of these then?

Give them a PS2 and a copy of Gran Turismo 4.

MattHep · 24 Nov 2012 at 16:56

Can't wait to see the depreciation on one of these things when it leaves the garage new.