Why don't I see motorscooters/mopeds? (West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach: home, to buy, gated)

[Etana]

When I visit West Palm Beach, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Lake Worth area, I'm curious that I don't see more people riding motorscooters/mopeds locally, like from their home to a store or the beach? Is it unsafe because of the cars/drivers?

It's part of my fantasy of moving to a summer all year round climate, to buy a motorscooter or moped, besides my car and my bicycle.

Thanks, Etana
Retiring in 3 weeks

[THX 1138]

I see them, but not as often as motorcycles. I also see people riding them on 441, which should be outlawed since they cannot get above 30mph if that and cause traffic back-ups and accident prone situations.

If you within the city limits where traffic is slower and the streets are tight, it would be more safe but in general any two wheeled method of transportation that involves driving on the roads here...comes with a high risk. The drivers here are horrible and driving is not a pleasure at all.

[TriMT7]

You'll see more of them the further east you go, typically, where living and commerce is closer and the speed limits slower -- but yeah, I would be wary riding one on any major road

[thunderkat59]

Originally Posted by Etana

When I visit West Palm Beach, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Lake Worth area, I'm curious that I don't see more people riding motorscooters/mopeds locally, like from their home to a store or the beach? Is it unsafe because of the cars/drivers?

It's part of my fantasy of moving to a summer all year round climate, to buy a motorscooter or moped, besides my car and my bicycle.

Thanks, Etana
Retiring in 3 weeks

You can manage (a 50/'moped') by staying on A1A, but going off of that is not a good move especially if you've never ridden before. I would treat those little 50's like bicycles. Anywhere you would not go on bicycle, you don't want to go on 50/'moped'. I think you would want to move up to a 250/400cc scooter to ride S.FL safely. The car traffic is angry and unforgiving. A 50 in traffic is setting yourself up for some undesirable situations.

[ZTM]

Originally Posted by thunderkat59

The car traffic is angry and unforgiving.

EXACTLY............. and that's what makes this such a miserable place to live.

[THX 1138]

Originally Posted by ZTM

EXACTLY............. and that's what makes this such a miserable place to live.

Riding a scooter in PB County would indeed be miserable and extremely dangerous, especially in the summer.

I do find myself less and less each day enjoying my commute to and from work or around PBC and I ride my motorcycles in the winter months mostly. I do not even ride too much since I had too many close calls, will so more when I move out of here.

[THX 1138]

Mod edit

Traffic is bad here, but not as bad as other parts of the US and try driving in Rome sometime...where many ride scooters.

[metalmancpa]

I have two Suzuki FA-50 mopeds. They are fun to drive, but I think they are more dangerous than a bike or a motorcycle. Mine is what I consider a real moped, not the scooters that can hit faster speeds. Mine technically tops off at 25MPH.

[dive77mmwet]

unless you have a death wish! bikes, cycles, scooters are suicidal I ride my bike at late night in gated areas on the intercostal and all I have to worry about is getting rolled over maybe by one guy with two too many Mojitos after dinner in his benz, roads are narrow every one is texting and driving way too fast so a two wheel thing on the road is just not a good idea

[FloridaHawkeye]

Depends on where you live. In Jupiter, the ocean road would be nice. But then why not have a bike. But most other roads like US1, A1A, Military - forget about it. To get around in S Florida, you have to take a main road. Very difficult to 'back road' your way around. Also - the summer brings those unexpected 10 minute downpours. Would not be fun being caught in one of those.