 "Photo:")
With increasing gas prices, many students may be looking into alternative means of transportation, and the moped fits the bill for some students and professors.
Tim Kizirian, an accounting professor, has owned a moped for six months and uses it for most of his errands, he said. They are a way to be sustainable with regard to the environment, incredibly gas efficient and a whole lot of fun.
Although they wouldn't work as well in big cities with many fast-paced streets and freeways, they are ideal for Chico because not many streets have speed limits more than 35 mph, Kizirian said.
He owns a Sprint Tomos, but recommends an ST model for students because it has turn signals, automatic oil with a gas-mix system and a luggage rack, he said.
"They get anywhere from 80 miles per gallon to 150," Kizirian said. "I don't remember the last time I was at a gas station to refuel."
Mopedarmy.com recommends Tomos or Honda, Kizirian said. Hondas can be expensive, though.
The fuel efficiency of a moped is high compared to cars and other vehicles, but that isn't the only benefit. Resale value can be taken into consideration when purchasing one, Kizirian said.
"I can sell the Tomos I bought for $1,000 for $800 in 10 years," he said.
Another benefit of the moped is parking.
Lesley Curry, Chico State police parking specialist, said it is legal to park mopeds in the bike racks on campus.
"If it has pedals like a bicycle then it can be at a bike rack," she said.
Students may be tempted to buy one without pedals, but if they do they might be buying a scooter instead.
For it to be a moped, it needs to have pedals, a maximum speed of 30 mph and a 50-CC engine, Kizirian said.
One thing students might also want to consider are annual insurance and registration fees.
There is a one-time registration fee of $18 for the moped, Kizirian said. This is close to
nothing when compared to a motorcycle or a scooter.
The other requirements for the moped are an M2-class license endorsement and insurance, according to California Department of Motor Vehicles Web site.
The M2 license was a piece of cake, Kizirian said. As for insurance, it's about $40 per year.
Mopeds are also lightweight compared to other motorized vehicles, which makes them quite convenient, he said.
"My moped weighs around 100 pounds, and I can carry it up the stairs," Kizirian said.
However, some students are wary of getting a moped and are already used to their ways of transportation.
"I wouldn't want to own one because it is a larger money commitment," said freshman Daniel Cohn-Postar. "Buying it would require upkeeping, gas and would be harder to put in the room than a bicycle."
Another concern for some students is safety.
"If you get hit on a moped you'd be done for," said senior Patrick Raber.
But riding a moped can be more akin to riding a bicycle, Kizirian said. One can ride a moped in bike lanes without having to confront traffic like a motorcycle does.
Students should compare the moped not just with human powered bicycle advantages,
but more so to a motorized vehicle, like a scooter.
The moped isn't really a bicycle, Kizirian said. Although, there is a way to ride it like a standard bike with pedals, the pedals are mostly for starting it up.
"I call it my Hardly-a-Davidson," he said. "Because when people come to see it they see how small it is and what it can really do."
Mike Lata can be reached at mlata@theorion.com
Be the first to comment on this article!