Petition to the German Bundestag: maximum permitted speed for mopeds from 45 to 60 km/h

Petition to the German Bundestag

We have submitted a petition to the German Bundestag at Open Petition. The German Bundestag should decide to raise the maximum permitted speed for mopeds with a cylinder capacity of up to 50 cc or for e-scooters up to a maximum continuous rated power of 4 KW (6 hp), which may be driven with the class AM driving licence integrated in the class B driving licence, from 45 km/h to 60 km/h. The German Bundestag should decide to raise the maximum permitted speed for e-scooters up to a maximum continuous rated power of 4 KW (6 hp), which may be driven with the class AM driving licence integrated in the class B driving licence, from 45 km/h to 60 km/h.

In the former GDR, mopeds were already allowed to drive at 60 km/h (Schwalbe), and East German makes are still allowed to do so today by special permit.

The regulation that such vehicles may be ridden without a licence and with a simple insurance number plate should be retained.

Reason

The 45 km/h speed limit is an unsatisfactory legal situation. The purpose of the regulation is to protect young riders in particular from the dangers of road traffic that cannot yet be mastered due to a lack of experience, and at the same time to provide them with an opportunity for improved mobility at a favourable price.

The same applies to the lack of experience of older drivers who only have a category B driving licence but no experience or special training in driving two-wheeled vehicles. These are legitimate legislative purposes and a suitable means in principle. However, a limitation to a maximum speed of 60 km/h would be a milder means that would be even better suited to achieve this objective.

The main area of application of mopeds falling into category AM is urban traffic. In addition, they are used by young people in rural areas in particular to increase their independent mobility. Within built-up areas, the maximum permitted speed is 50 km/h. Vehicles that stay below this speed are not permitted.

Vehicles that stay below this speed are therefore regularly perceived as an obstruction by other road users and overtaken as quickly as possible.

This is especially true for time-bound road users such as bus drivers and lorry drivers. However, when overtaking, such large vehicles pose a considerable risk to small motorbikes, which are comparable to bicycles in this respect.

These considerably exceed the potential danger posed by a moderately increased permissible maximum speed. This is equally true for use on smaller rural roads and farm tracks primarily by young rural people. Just as in urban traffic it enables a safe and inconspicuous "swim along", the increased speed in the countryside could help to motivate other road users to wait until suitable overtaking situations arise, thus reducing the typical danger of being cut off, and on the other hand make it possible to overtake agricultural vehicles restricted to 25 or 35 km/h in a reasonably speedy and safe manner.

At the same time, the restriction to a maximum of 60 km/h would ensure that access to motorways is only granted to those drivers who have undergone special motorbike training. The sense and purpose of driving licence class A1 would thus be preserved.

§ Motorways (1) Motorways (sign 330.1) and motorways (sign 331.1) may only be used by motor vehicles whose maximum speed, as determined by their design, exceeds 60 km/h. This is particularly important in times of impending traffic jams.

Especially in times of impending driving bans in city centres and increasing parking shortages, the switch to more environmentally friendly and space-saving two-wheelers should be made more attractive.

Please support our petition with an online signature.

It's quick and easy: follow the link to the petition on Open Petition, sign in 3 simple steps. Please share the petition on social networks etc. to collect as many signatures as possible. 50,000 signatures are needed, then the German Bundestag will deal with the petition. Thank you for your support, spread the word!