Should I buy my daughter a scooter / moped?

peachyprice

Absolutley no way on this earth would a child of mine have a scooter. No amount of 'proper gear' can protect your child from other idiots on the road.

My 21yo BIL has permanent brain damage due to some stupid woman jumping the lights and sending him flying over the top of her 4X4 2 years ago.

My boys remember only too well visiting their uncle in hospital and seeing him on life support, knowing that he may not live. They wouldn't dream of riding any scooter or motorbike having seen first hand the damage other drivers can cause.

JodyBPM

I had a little moped many, many years ago. I did wear all the leathers etc, and was a careful driver. I don't really remember it being *that* dangerous. Obviously you are aware that you are relatively unprotected compared to a car, but I think in some ways a car will give a false sense of security. Not to mention the fact that mopeds are (or at least were in my day - assume they still are now) restricted to 30mph. Granted I only ever really used it down country lanes, rarely passing much other traffic - I suspect it would be a riskier business in a large city, having to change lanes etc.

Depending on your child and how responsible she is, I'd allow it, subject to the enviroment she is likely to ride in being reasonably safe, and after a long adult talk about safety and on the proviso that she always wears the full protective gear etc.

When I was younger quite a few of us had mopeds (probably because we lived in a semi rural area) and there were NO major accidents of fatalities on mopeds within our group of friends. Sadly the same cannot be said for cars and 125cc motorbikes:(

jammy_dodger

living far from public transport i bought my DD a moped and she loves the freedom it gives her , she is now 18 and at moment no desire to learn to drive a car . its relatively cheap to keep on the rd , i have no regrets buying it for her

Primrose

I probably wouldn't as although they're a very economical form of transport, they're not a particularly safe one. However, if you do yield and agree I would absolutely insist that she signs up for a recognised safe driving course. You may find that you local county council may run them or sponsor them, and it's well worth while checking. Nobody should be let out on the road on a two wheeled vehicle without having completed one, and certainly not a 16 year old girl.

lorietta

I had a moped when I was 16/17 to get too and from work. Although I once had a near miss with a tractor so long as she is sensible, she should be able to avoid most accidents. I agree with the poster who wrote about riding defensively. This is a must, even if you are on a road with a speed limit higher than 30, otherwise you run the risk of idiots forcing their way past and knocking you off. This does take a lot of confidence though, as people in cars are so impatient.

Although they are not the safest form of transport, if you have proper safety gear they are not totally unsafe either. My dad now uses mine, as it is a cheaper form of transport than a car. They can run forever on a single tank, and mine cost (new) less than £1000.

On her CBT day, they will teach her all about how to ride to minimize the risk, and so long as she is sensible, she should be ok. If she is a confident, and calm girl, she should be fine. Although it is more dangerous than driving a car, being in car is still dangerous, and driving a scooter tends to make you a better, safer driver in the long run.

princess

Chap at work bought one the other day for his 16 year old son. They picked it up from the garage at 9.00am, by midday they were in accident and emergency:(

faithcecilia

princess wrote: »

Chap at work bought one the other day for his 16 year old son. They picked it up from the garage at 9.00am, by midday they were in accident and emergency:(

I bought new trainers and the next day ended up in A&E:(. Accidents can happen but care and attention can reduce the risk.

peachyprice

faithcecilia wrote: »

I bought new trainers and the next day ended up in A&E:(.

Goodness Cecilia, they must have been some serious blisters:D
xx

pompeyfaith

Both my sons had scooters and they both went on to pass there driving tests first time furthermore it does make them better drivers I believe as they have been there done that so to speak and look out for motorcyclist which many car drivers do not and having a better understanding of motorcyclists has to be a good thing.

Yes I was worried for them the first few days any responsible parent would but you have to over ride that and trust them

richiehp

wongstack wrote: »

It only seemd like 5 mins ago she was a baby, now she wants a motorscooter (shes 16 next week)

I used to ride motorbikes but gave up for the safety of a car

She really wants a scooter and It would be great for her to have her indipendence but I do worry about the safety side of it.

Some of her friends have them and I'd hate to hold her back

I am tempted to get her one but might ask her to wait until she's older and get her a car instead.

She's really sensible, I don't think she'd ride it is badly as I used to

Would I be being over protective to ask her to wait for a car?

No and no. I wouldn't buy her a moped or scooter. It is not about trusting her, I am sure you know that. It is about trusting everybody else on the road!