Comprehensive Safety Plan

Overview 

Relative to passenger cars, mopeds and seated motor scooters are associated with a higher risk for serious or fatal injuries in the event of a traffic crash, as they do not offer the protection of an enclosed vehicle or provide other safety enhancement features such as airbags and seat belts. Additionally, operators of these vehicle types often are ejected during a collision, making them even more exposed and vulnerable. In particular, research has indicated that riders of mopeds and scooters are especially susceptible to head and facial injuries, and some studies have suggested that compared to motorcyclists, moped/scooter operators exhibit lower rates of helmet use and have a higher likelihood of riding under the influence of alcohol.  

What are Mopeds/Scooters? 

Stakeholders and public health and safety practitioners interested in promoting moped/scooter safety face fundamental challenges due to the lack of consistent definitions and terminology for describing these vehicles. Across the United States, the most common thresholds used to distinguish mopeds and scooters from motorcycles are an engine displacement of 50 cubic centimeters (cc) or less and a top speed of 30 mph. However, across different states mopeds and scooters can be subject to one of nine different naming conventions (e.g., mopeds, motor-driven cycles, motorized bicycles, and motor scooters) depending on a variety of factors beyond engine size and speed, such as the presence or absence of pedals or the size of the vehicle’s wheels. For the sake of clarity, throughout this guide, the terms “moped” and “scooter” will be used to describe only two- and three-wheeled motor vehicles that fall at or below the 50cc and 30 mph thresholds referenced above. 

Safety Plan Development Guide

To reduce moped/scooter injuries and fatalities, it is important for stakeholders to develop and implement an effective safety plan by assessing the extent of the problem in their state, examining risk factors and potential mitigation strategies, and building strong partnerships with national, state, and local entities that have a vested interest in traffic safety and are capable of executing mitigation plans. This guide is intended to assist states with assessing, planning, and implementing moped/scooter safety strategies that can be tailored to the unique circumstances within a given jurisdiction.

The first four sections of this guide each contain a series of questions that can be used to identify opportunities for improvement in moped/scooter safety and develop a plan for implementing needed changes. Specific topics that are covered include the following: (1) obtaining background information regarding state vehicle definitions and regulatory requirements, (2) evaluating data relevant to improving moped/scooter safety, (3) developing state- and local-level partnerships, and (4) establishing a communication plan to promote key findings and educate riders and other stakeholders. The final section of this guide presents a framework for synthesizing that information into a comprehensive safety strategy that includes goals, timelines, and responsibilities. As a whole, this guide is intended to be adaptable so that it may be used to meet each state’s unique challenges and needs.   

I. Background Information 

Introduction 

An important first step for enhancing moped/scooter safety is to gather information regarding your state’s vehicle definitions and regulatory requirements. To facilitate those efforts, fundamental questions are presented in this section that, when answered, will provide additional insight and clarity as to how mopeds/scooters are treated in your jurisdiction. Knowledge of current statutes, as well as recent regulatory changes and their respective impacts, can be used to assess the extent of moped/scooter issues, inform the development of mitigation strategies, and address your state’s unique challenges and needs.  

Information regarding moped/scooter terminology and regulations can be located by examining each state’s legislative statutes, licensing and registration agency websites, and vehicle operator (e.g., driver, motorcycle, and moped/scooter) manuals. Alternatively, law enforcement, transportation department, and licensing agency representatives can be contacted directly, and, in some cases, aggregated information can be obtained from independent organizations such as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.     

Action Step 1: Background Information

Based on this section, what steps should be taken to gather information regarding your state’s moped/scooter definitions and regulatory requirements, any potential or recently enacted changes, and their respective levels of impact? At the conclusion of this guide, you will have an opportunity to synthesize the action steps from each section to create a comprehensive moped/scooter safety plan relevant to your state’s unique needs.  

Assessment 

1. How are mopeds/scooters labeled and defined in your state? 

  • How do the statutes define mopeds/scooters in your jurisdiction? 
  • What thresholds (e.g., top speed, engine displacement, and horsepower) and features (e.g., transmission type and pedals), if any, are used to distinguish mopeds/scooters from other, similar vehicles? 
  • Are different labels used in different parts of the legislative code (e.g., licensing and registration)? 

2. How are mopeds/scooters regulated in your state? 

  • Are mopeds/scooters (50cc and 30 mph) required to be registered and/or titled? 
  • Is liability insurance required for moped/scooter operators? 
  • What class of driver’s license, if any, is required for legal operation on public roadways? 
  • Is there a partial or universal helmet law in effect for moped/scooter operators? 
  • What is the minimum age for moped/scooter operation in your state? 
  • Are there any roadways or locations where mopeds/scooters cannot legally be ridden?  

3. Have there been any recent efforts to update your state’s existing moped/scooter laws? 

  • When was your state’s current moped/scooter legislation enacted? 
  • Have any recent efforts been undertaken to update or modify your state’s moped/scooter laws? 
  • If so, what changes were made or considered, and were those efforts successful? 

4. What impact has your state’s moped/scooter legislation had on rider safety? 

  • Have the safety benefits of your state’s moped/scooter laws been evaluated?
  • If so, what were the results (e.g., change in crash/injury/fatality rates)?
  • Have any studies examined rates of compliance and/or enforcement for moped/scooter legislation in your state?
  • If so, what did those studies find? 

II. Data 

Introduction 

Data have an important role to play in any effort intended to improve moped/scooter safety. In particular, crash, injury, and citation data can be used to aid with the identification of risk factors for adverse traffic outcomes, which, in turn, can be used to guide mitigation efforts. User surveys can also be employed to discern common operator characteristics, perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors. Once obtained, that information can be used to inform the content and the distribution approach for moped/scooter safety materials.  

Regardless of the data source, developing effective, evidence-based safety strategies is dependent upon the identification, dissemination, continual monitoring, and empirical assessment of relevant information. Key national data sources include the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS). It may also be possible to obtain state-level crash and injury data from the department of transportation, department of public safety, department of motor vehicles, health department, law enforcement agency, and/or trauma centers in your jurisdiction.   

Action Step 2: Data

Based on this section, what steps should be taken to obtain and evaluate relevant data for improving moped/scooter safety in your state? What data sources are needed, are they readily available, and, if not, what steps can be taken to gain access? At the conclusion of this guide, you will have an opportunity to synthesize the action steps from each section to create a moped/scooter safety strategy relevant to your state’s unique needs. 

Assessment 

1. What data do you need to evaluate and/or improve moped/scooter safety in your state? 

  • What data are needed to evaluate moped/scooter safety in your state? 
  • Are necessary data sources readily available? 
    • If not, what steps can be taken to gain access? 
  • Once obtained, will data need to be cleaned or modified in any way (e.g., VIN decoding)? 
  • Who will be in charge of data cleaning and analyses? 
  • What data are needed to evaluate and/or improve the effectiveness of mitigation efforts? 
  • If those data don’t currently exist, what resources are needed–and what stakeholders need to be involved–to initiate data collection and analysis efforts? 

2. What data have you already used to evaluate moped/scooter safety in your state? 

  • What have you learned from those data? 
  • How have you used that information? 
  • Are there additional steps that still need to be taken to improve the data-based evaluation process? 

3. Have other states conducted similar research that could prove informative? 

  • Have other states conducted more rigorous evaluations of moped/scooter safety that could inform efforts in your jurisdiction? 
  • Are there relevant studies in the academic literature that have evaluated pertinent moped/scooter safety issues and/or the effectiveness of outreach efforts?  

III. Partnerships 

Introduction 

Efforts to improve moped/scooter safety require strong partnerships at the national, state, and local level. For instance, it is important to develop relationships with government and non-government agencies that specialize in traffic safety, communication, advertising, outreach, education, funding, and data collection and analysis. Successful partnerships, which are integral to any safety initiative, require strong leadership, a group of core members who are responsible for implementing strategic actions, and individuals with adequate time for the management of day-to-day activities. To facilitate the creation of new partnerships and to assess the strengths and weaknesses of existing relationships, a partnership evaluation tool is provided at the end of this section.    

Action Step 3: Partnerships 

Based on this section, what partnerships need to be developed, and how can existing partnerships be improved to support moped/scooter safety in your state? At the conclusion of this guide, you will have an opportunity to synthesize the action steps from each section to create a moped/scooter safety strategy relevant to your state’s unique needs.  

Assessment 

1. Do any partnerships that focus on moped/scooter safety already exist in your state? 

  • What stakeholders are currently represented? 
  • Do any additional stakeholders need to be recruited? 
  • What are the roles fulfilled by each partnership group and member? 
  • Who is primarily responsible for implementing strategic actions and leading safety efforts? 

2. Do existing partnerships have the expertise, resources, and capabilities that are needed? 

  • What capabilities do existing partnerships already have? 
  • What additional capabilities may be needed? 
  • How can necessary expertise, resources, and capabilities be acquired? 

3. If a partnership does not already exist, how can one be developed? 

  • What stakeholders need to be recruited? 
  • What are the roles that will be fulfilled by each partnership member? 
  • Who will be responsible for implementing strategic actions and leading safety efforts? 

Partnership Evaluation Tool 

This tool can be used to facilitate the development of new partnerships or to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of existing relationships. Capabilities that your group may need are presented in the top row, and potential members that can meet those needs are listed in the far left-hand column. Clearly, not every partnership will require all of the members listed, but it is important to consider each option in order to determine which stakeholders are necessary to meet your group’s unique needs. Identifying the capabilities and deficits of current and potential group members will aid in the creation of strong, enduring, and successful partnerships. 

Figure 1: Partnership Evaluation Tool
Download a template of the tool

IV. Communication

Introduction

Another key step for enhancing moped/scooter safety is to develop a communication plan that outlines how stakeholders intend to share key findings and promote evidence-based safety messages. Your communication plan may include steps for assessing risk factors based on available data, developing print and digital materials, conducting focus groups to test messaging options, posting or advertising on social media, working with media outlets, and forming partnerships with traffic safety entities and moped/scooter retailers to distribute and/or display physical outreach materials.

Action Step 4: Communication

Based on this section, what steps should be taken to promote key findings and educate riders and stakeholders on the need to implement specific moped/scooter safety countermeasures? At the conclusion of this guide, you will have an opportunity to synthesize the action steps from each section to create a moped/scooter safety strategy relevant to your state’s unique needs.

Assessment

1. How can print/digital educational materials be used to increase understanding and support for moped/scooter safety?

  • What is the demographic makeup of your target group?
  • Are there any data available regarding the risk factors for moped/scooter crashes?
  • What theoretical framework is most appropriate for your campaign’s messaging?
  • Can you identify any studies that have evaluated moped/scooter safety promotion efforts?
  • If so, what can be learned?
  • What media modes are most likely to reach the moped/scooter riding population?
  • How have other states used media to increase understanding and support for moped/scooter safety?
  • How will the effectiveness of your communication efforts be evaluated?

2. How will you educate individuals in your state about the effectiveness of specific moped/scooter safety countermeasures?

  • What types of educational materials will you need (e.g., print materials or digital materials such as social media posts)?
  • What specific audiences do you want to reach (e.g., riders, passengers, law enforcement, motorists, or educators)?
  • Which media modes can you use to reach your intended audience (e.g., television, radio, social media platforms, newspapers, or billboards)?
  • Have there been any recent, high-profile events (e.g., crashes) at the local, state, or national level that can be used to bring additional attention to the need for moped/scooter safety?

V. Comprehensive Safety Plan

Introduction

At this point, a comprehensive safety plan should be developed that incorporates action steps from previous sections, as well as any other necessary tasks that have been identified. Answering the questions presented below will provide a basic framework that you can use to formulate your plan, but it is important to adapt that framework to meet your state’s unique challenges and needs.

Safety Plan Development

1. What changes are needed to improve moped/scooter safety in your state?

  • What steps need to be taken in order to implement those changes?
  • What type of stakeholder involvement will be required?
  • What is the anticipated timeline for implementation?

2. How will partnerships be leveraged to improve moped/scooter safety in your state?

  • What roles will be fulfilled by each partnership member and group?
  • What specific action steps will each partner be responsible for?
  • What is the anticipated timeline for those action steps?

3. How will you monitor and assess the progress of safety efforts to ensure your strategy remains on track?

  • Who will decide if and when adjustments to your overall strategy need to be made?
  • Who will be responsible for making those adjustments?