Driving is not the only way to get around Colorado. When the weather is nice, many people use mopeds as an alternative method of transportation. Mopeds are better on gas, give off fewer fuel emissions and are easier to park in metropolitan areas than vehicles. If you plan on taking a moped somewhere in Colorado, you must follow all the applicable rules of the road. Otherwise, you could end up with a traffic infraction – or worse, causing an accident.
What Is a Moped?
Colorado law refers to mopeds as low-power scooters. The official definition of a moped in the state is a self-propelled vehicle with no more than three wheels. A moped has either a cylinder capacity that does not exceed 50 cubic centimeters (if engine-powered) or wattage under 4,476 watts (if electric). A moped is a unique type of vehicle that is not in the same class as a motor vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle or motorized bicycle.
Do You Need a Special License?
To operate a moped in the state of Colorado, you must have a valid driver’s license or minor driver’s license. Unlike a motorcycle, however, you do not need a special class of license to operate a moped. A standard driver’s license will suffice. You must register your moped to operate it on public roads. It costs $5.85 to register your moped for three years in Colorado. Purchase adequate auto insurance before registering your moped.
Do You Have to Wear a Helmet?
If you are 18 or older, you do not have to wear a helmet while operating or riding on a moped in Colorado. The state does not have universal law requiring adult helmet use for any vehicle, including motorcycles. If you are 17 or younger, however, you must wear a helmet with a chinstrap that fulfills federal safety standards. You have to wear a helmet as a minor even if you are riding a moped as a passenger.
Even if Colorado law does not require you to wear a helmet, doing so is in your best interest. Many organizations, including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Department of Transportation, recommend helmets as the top way to reduce the risk of serious head and brain injuries in a traffic accident. Wearing a helmet could help you avoid a fatal injury in a moped collision.
Can You Drive a Moped on the Highway?
You cannot operate a moped on any interstate in Colorado. The same is true if you are operating a motorized bicycle or electric scooter. Although mopeds follow a lot of standard traffic laws in Colorado, they do not have all the same rights to the roads as vehicles. It is against the law to take a moped on an interstate or limited-access road unless the same road permits bicycles.
Most people use mopeds on city streets and in residential neighborhoods. It is illegal to use a moped on a sidewalk. You can, however, drive a moped in a designated bicycle lane in Colorado. If you are driving a moped on the road, you must obey all traditional traffic signals and roadway rules. This includes stoplights, speed limits and rights-of-way. You must drive in the same direction as the flow of traffic.
What Happens After a Moped Accident?
If you get into a moped accident in Colorado, you may have grounds for a claim against the at-fault driver. First, identify who or what caused the crash. Then, file a claim with that party’s auto insurance company. You may claim property damages, personal injuries, medical costs, lost wages and other damages depending on the situation. The insurance company will offer a settlement if it agrees its policyholder was responsible for the crash.
You might have to hire an accident attorney in Denver if an insurance company unfairly denies your claim. A common reason for settlement denial is the comparative fault defense; the insurance company alleges you were more than half at fault for the collision, barring you from recovery. A Denver personal injury attorney could help you protect your rights and seek justice after a serious moped crash in Colorado.
FAQs
In Colorado, moped laws are clear and straightforward. Gas-powered mopeds with engines larger than 50cc are not allowed. Electric mopeds are also subject to regulations – their engines must not exceed 4,476 watts of power. The good news is that you don't need a special license to operate a moped in Colorado.
Do you need a moped license in Colorado? ›
Your Primer on Moped Laws in Colorado
There is no special license required for an electric or gas scooter or moped in the state. However, a valid Colorado driver's license is required, and the scooter operator must have a valid vehicle insurance policy for the scooter that meets the state's coverage requirements.
Are scooters street legal in Colorado? ›
A motorized scooter with an engine smaller than 50cc is street-legal in Colorado. However, operators must follow the state's laws pertaining to speed limits and street accessibility. You cannot take your scooter on the highway, but you may use bike lanes in some areas.
Do you need insurance for a 49cc scooter in Colorado? ›
Colorado requires all moped and scooter riders to obey the traffic laws that apply to all other road users. But while you need a motorcycle license and insurance to ride a scooter with an engine larger than 50cc, moped drivers do not require any special type of license. You do still need insurance, however.
Do you need a license to ride a moped around? ›
Some, but not all, states require that you get specifically a Class M or specifically a motorcycle license for driving mopeds, scooters and motorized bikes. Far more, however, simply require that you have a general driver's license.
Can you drive a 49cc scooter without a license in Colorado? ›
Yes, an operator of a Low-Power Scooter shall possess a valid driver license or minor driver license.
How fast does a 50cc scooter go? ›
What's the top speed of a 50cc moped? Most 50cc scooters come with a restricted engine, which limits the bike to a top speed of 28mph (45kph). However, a 50cc scooter can go at speeds of up to 60mph (96kph), while most will comfortably reach 40mph (65kph).
What is the difference between a moped and scooter? ›
A scooter (motor scooter) has the same step-through frame and smaller wheels like a moped, but a more powerful motor — 50cc - 250cc. Scooters usually have automatic transmissions and come with lights, turn signals and horns. Scooters offer superior mobility with higher top speeds and good gas mileage.
Can you ride an electric scooter on the sidewalk in Colorado? ›
Why is Colorado stuck in a wet, stormy weather pattern? You are not allowed to ride an e-scooter, a bike or an e-bike on a sidewalk unless it's part of a designated bike path, or you're getting on or off of it. And when you are on a sidewalk, you can't go more than 6 mph and must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians.
Is it legal to ride a scooter on the sidewalk in Denver? ›
Generally, scooters should stay off both public and private sidewalks. There are a few exceptions. You can ride on a sidewalk if it's part of a designated bike route and if you're parking or just getting going, before riding onto the street.
Toy vehicles include mini-bikes, stand-up scooters, and go-peds. Toy vehicles may not be operated on public roadways, but may be operated on private property with the owner's permission. They may not be operated on sidewalks if motorized; they may be operated on sidewalks if human-powered.
Do you need to register an electric scooter in Colorado? ›
In Colorado, an operator of a low‑power scooter is required to have a valid driver license. Registration for a low‑power scooter is evidenced by a numbered decal on the frame, with registration lasting for three years.
How fast do mopeds go? ›
While their low speeds make them appealing to commuters in cities, mopeds aren't allowed on major highways because of their engine size. With a maximum engine size of 50 cubic centimeters, a moped's speed typically only reaches 28 to 30 miles per hour.
Is Vespa a scooter or motorcycle? ›
Vespa (Italian pronunciation: [ˈvɛspa]) is an Italian luxury brand of scooters and mopeds manufactured by Piaggio. The name means wasp in Italian. The Vespa has evolved from a single model motor scooter manufactured in 1946 by Piaggio & Co.
What is the difference between a motorcycle and a moped? ›
A moped is defined as being mechanically propelled "bicycle" fitted with an engine having a capacity less 50 cc and a maximum design speed no more than 45 km/h (30 mph). By contrast, a motorcycle is defined in the same way, except that it has an engine larger than 50 cc or a top speed in excess of 45 km/h (30 mph).
Do you need a motorcycle license for a Vespa in Colorado? ›
Vespa has two scooters the Primavera 50cc and the Sprint 50cc that can be ridden without a motorcycle license (you only need a valid car license) in the following states: Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, ...
Do you need a bike license in Colorado? ›
In Colorado, motorcycle operators must obtain a motorcycle endorsem*nt on their driver license, marked by either the letter "M" or a "3". An "M" endorsem*nt permits the operator to drive either a two‑wheeled or three‑wheeled vehicle. The "3" endorsem*nt permits the operator to drive only three‑wheeled vehicles.
