The Bike Motor Scooter – A Brief History

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The earliest bike motor scooters were literally bicycles to which small motors were attached. The merging of bicycle and combustion engine first took place in the late 1800s. The original prototype was Benz’ “Rolling Saddle” in 1886, although shortly thereafter, the term Moped – a combination of the words motor and pedals – was coined. Early mopeds suffered from design issues, with poorly placed motors causing dangerous conditions. Motors failed regularly, as they were unable to keep up with the rigors of road travel, and it was often difficult to switch from powered to manual modes. Nevertheless, the moped remained popular. By the end of World War II, almost all European bicycle manufacturers offered bike motor scooters. The design, however, remained largely unchanged until the Velosolex appeared in 1947.

The Velosolex represented a distinct improvement on earlier bike motor scooters. For the first time, the moped was designed for easy transition between manual and powered modes. Switching power on and off was performed with the simple flip of a lever. Things changed again in 1952, with Steyr-Puch’s introduction of the MS-50. The MS-50 is considered the earliest prototype of the modern moped. The electrical system, handlebar gear shifting, and even the frame design were, for the first time, borrowed from motorcycle rather than bicycle design. Although the MS-50 still had pedals, it was designed to run on motor power most of the time.

Over the next two decades, moped design gradually shifted to resemble motorcycles more and more, rather than the original bike motor scooter. Many models were offered without pedals, relying solely on motor power. Moped engine size was officially set at 50 cc or less, and governmental regulations specifically affecting mopeds were enacted. Versions appeared with four and five speed transmissions, as well as a wide variety of design styles offering such extras as trailer-like storage units and sidecars.

Since the 1970s, mopeds have found their niche with a small but enthusiastic fan base. Minimal requirements for insurance, registration, and licensing make up for the moped speed limit of 20 mph that has been instituted in many areas. Moped fans enjoy the small engine size and ease of operation. The modern bike motor scooter, or moped, is generally distinguished from motorcycles by the 50cc engine limitation, and most no longer have pedals.

Meanwhile, recent developments in technology have led to the development of a new product with common roots, the electric bicycle. Originally built by hobbyists using conversion kits, electric bicycles have seen a recent surge in popularity and are now sold by major manufacturers. Electric bicycles represent a return to the roots of bike motor scooters, built as fully functional bicycles complete with pedals, with the option to switch back and forth from a powered mode. Yet these bicycles have a decidedly modern twist. Rather than internal combustion engines, electric bicycles run on rechargeable batteries, making them more similar to an electric scooter than a moped.

The history of the bike motor scooter is long and extremely rich. These scooters were developed as an experiment in adding the new technology of combustion engines to pre-existing bicycles, and have evolved today into two separate and distinct products, each with its own loyal fans. Moped enthusiasts enjoy the small size, lightweight, and especially fuel economy. Electric bicycles have more in common with the original bike motor scooters, allowing users to switch between manual and powered modes at will. Yet the electric bicycles use modern technology to create a new and fresh product that is also environmentally friendly. The bike motor scooter is here to stay.