Athmar Park

Is that Motor Scooter Legal?

Can Mo-Peds/Go-Peds Operate on the Street?

This discussion is strictly for 2-wheeled vehicles less than 50cc's. Anything over 50cc's is considered a "motorcycle", and - as such - is subject to all laws and regulations for all large motorized vehicles.

Motorized Bicyles

The Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles considers any 2-wheeled motorized vehicle with an engine <50 cc's to be a motorized bicycle (for four-wheeled Go-Peds; see below). These motorized bicycles do not require license plates or insurance. The operator of a motorized bicycle MUST be at least 16 years old, and MUST possess a valid driver's license. For these motorized bicycles, the operator DOES NOT need to have a motorcycle endorsement on their driver's license. Rather than license plates, the state requires that the owner pay $5.00 for a sticker, which must be affixed to the frame of the motorized bicycle, or carried on the driver's person at all times. The stickers are valid for a total of 3 calendar years. Motorized bicycles are street-legal, but ARE NOT authorized to drive on sidewalks or designated bike paths.

Go-Peds

A Go-Ped is - essentially - a skateboard with a motor and a pole sticking up in fromt that serves as handle bars (with limited steering capability). Go-Peds DO NOT require any stickers (registrations), and the operator DOES NOT need to be 16 years of age, nor do they need to have a valid driver's license. GO-PEDS ARE NOT LEGAL TO DRIVE ON ROADWAYS, SIDEWALKS, NOR ANY PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY. THEY ARE ONLY LEGAL ON PRIVATE PROPERTY.

Since they cannot be legally driven on any street or roadway, they are not subject to the same laws as bicycles, scooters, or motorcycles.

Go-Peds driving on the streets or roadways may be cited under DRMC 54-59(a), and Go-Peds driving on the sidewalks or public rigt-of-ways may be cited under DRMC 54-131.