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About two-thirds of motorcycle crashes in North Carolina involve a car. In most of these crashes, the driver of the car is at fault. The driver usually claims he or she did not see the motorcycle. Because the motorcycle offers little or no protection to the rider, the motorcyclist often is seriously injured or killed. Moped riders and all passengers are required to wear a helmet with a retention strap properly secured. The helmet must be a type that complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS 218). 

## Motorcycles 

Many small motorcycles do not accelerate rapidly and may not maintain speed going uphill or against a headwind. Stopping distances for motorcycles are also different. Most can stop more quickly than cars, but motorcycles stop more slowly when there is a second rider or when traveling on poor road surfaces where sudden braking could lead to a fall. 

On the road, a cyclist traveling ahead of you could lose control when materials such as sand, gravel, wet leaves or water are on the pavement. Be aware of conditions that may cause a motorcyclist to fall. Watch out for motorcycles that wobble or jerk while starting to move, or cyclists who hesitate while making traffic decisions. These are signs of a beginning cyclist, so allow plenty of room. 

## Things to remember when you encounter a cyclist: 

• Never crowd the motorcycle or moped. Following too closely does not allow enough reaction time in the case of an emergency; 

• Allow a greater following distance when road surfaces are slippery. It is easier for the motorcycle or moped to become unstable because it has only two wheels in contact with the road surface; 

• Always allow the cyclist plenty of room to maneuver, especially at railroad crossings or on rough and uneven roadways. If the crossing is rough or at an angle, the rider might need to slow down to cross; and 

• Steel bridge expansion joints, metal grating on bridges and other metal surfaces are hazardous for cyclists. Leave plenty of space between yourself and the cyclist. 

## Mopeds 

North Carolina law defines a moped as a vehicle with two or three wheels with a motor of no more than 50 cubic centimeters of piston displacement and no external shifting device. Legally, a moped’s top speed cannot exceed 30 miles per hour. Although some mopeds on the market have top speeds higher than the 30 mph limit, they are illegal for use in North Carolina. Be sure you know a moped’s size and maximum speed before you buy it. Otherwise, you may not be able to operate it legally. 

In North Carolina you must be at least 16 years old to operate a moped on a public roadway or public vehicular area. No driver license is required. However, driving while impaired laws that apply to drivers of other motor vehicles also apply to moped operators. When riding a moped on a public roadway you must follow all the rules of the road. 

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