High Gas Prices Lead to an Increase in Mopeds

The last time Sam Bolis rode a moped was when he was a teenager delivering newspapers.

But with today’s high gas prices, mopeds are being used now more than ever.

“When I was 13 I had a paper route,” the Clinton Township senior said. “I used to drive the moped around the neighborhood delivering newspapers, but I didn’t use it for much else.”

Bolis said he spent the spring semester in Italy and many people drive mopeds there.

“They have had high gases prices in Europe for a while now,” Bolis said. “I think now that the U.S. is experiencing high gas prices we are going to see a lot more mopeds and smaller cars.”

Marko Spica knows the benefits of driving a moped on campus.

“I pay $3.25 to fill up the tank and it lasts me for four days driving to and from my apartment at Jamestown,” Spica said.

Spica, a CMU basketball player from Serbia, said he makes three trips to campus every weekday. He shares a 1989 Honda with his roommate who bought the moped a few months ago for $600.

“It’s not bad driving it around Mount Pleasant because there isn’t much traffic here,” Spica said. “The only time I don’t like driving it is when I am on my way to 6 a.m. basketball practice.”

Police Chief Stan Dinius said students don’t need to register a moped if the motor is smaller than 50 cubic centimeters.

“We basically treat it as a bicycle in most cases and people can even park their moped on the bike racks,” Dinius said.

Although, drivers are not allowed to operate mopeds on sidewalks, Dinius said.

“It is only allowed on the roads,” Dinius said. “When you want to park it you have to get off of your bike and walk it to the rack.”

Anyone operating a moped under the age of 19 must wear a helmet, Dinius said.