For 49cc scooters, you only need a driver’s licence in many areas.
It’s June 2022 and the fuel prices are not slowing down. If you ride a motorbike on your daily commute, you are probably thanking your lucky stars. It may not completely eliminate your grumbly feelings at pump, but it can at least reduce the sting.
But what if you are a driver? The new and used car markets have been more crowded than the motorcycle market. Although there are many more electric cars on the market than electric motorcycles, they aren’t cheap. Even with available environmental incentives. Most jurisdictions require motorbike licenses. What does a car driver do?
FortNine, our friends, has an answer. It’s one that you probably didn’t see coming: A 50cc scooter. F9 is a Canadian channel so it affects both licensing laws as well as scooter model availability. We are not responsible for the fact that the Internet is vast and you don’t know where it is, so we have to remind you that your local laws as well as what types of scooters are in your area may differ. This is something you should keep in mind when considering this vehicular route.
The great thing about 50cc scooters, is that the nice, round “50”, usually means it’s a 49cc motorbike. This means it complies with multiple licensing laws. It’s perfectly legal to ride a scooter or moped that is 49cc in a regular driver license in many places, including my home state of Illinois. Although it is still powered by petroleum products the gas mileage is far better than any other gas-powered vehicle.
Some states, such as Illinois, may have additional requirements, such that the 49cc scooter in question cannot require any gear changes. It’s important to note that modern 49cc scooters have a twist-n-go design and shift automatically via a continuously variable transmission (or CVT). Some vintage scooters may require shifting but these are not what an average car driver would buy if they were looking for a more affordable means of transport. This is Big Scooter’s clever plot to make more scooter stans. Mwahahaha.)
Keep in mind that 49cc scooters can’t go at highway speeds. You’ll be fine if your commute is on surface streets. You can store small items under the seat, or add a top box or backpack to the pillion. You can even find scooters with bag hooks, which gives you extra storage space (as long as you don’t go around corners too quickly).
What about electric scooters?
It’s likely that electric scooters will be more popular than motorbikes in 2022. You may find one or more great options depending on where you are reading this. These can help you solve your fuel-price fluctuations and fit your budget. You should remember that smaller batteries usually have a shorter range so plan accordingly. It’s important to adjust to the idea of adding another plug-in to your power supply. You probably have enough power strips, as we’ve done it with our phones, smart watches and other devices.