SIP Scootershop submits petition to the Petitions Committee of the German Bundestag
Today we handed over more than 26,000 signatures to the Petitions Committee of the German Bundestag and there personally to Ministerial Councillor Dr Janß.
What is at stake?
The German Bundestag should decide to raise the maximum permitted speed for mopeds with an engine capacity of up to 50 cc, which may be driven with the Class AM driving licence integrated in the Class B driving licence, from 45 km/h to 59 km/h or 60km/h. The petition was submitted by Dr Janß, Ministerial Councillor.
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.
Herer the submission of the petition in its wording:
Dear Dr Janß
Dear Minister of Transport Scheuer,
We, as a company from Landsberg am Lech (accessories for scooters, 100 employees), have submitted a petition to Open Petition with the aim of raising the maximum permissible speed for two-wheelers of class M (50ccm) from 45km/h to 59km/h. The exact reason for the petition can be found at the petition. The exact reasoning can be found at the petition:
If the regulations for two-wheelers were more attractive, more commuters and car drivers would switch to two-wheelers, not for fun at the weekend but for everyday (professional) life. That would do us all good, the two-wheeler market but also the city centres and commuter car parks. Soon there will be closures in many cities because of low emission zones, parking space has been scarce for a long time. If I don't endanger myself by driving 45 km/h, which is clearly too slow for flowing traffic, on my way to the S-Bahn station or to work, I would much rather switch to a two-wheeler as a commuter.
May the German Bundestag resolve to raise the maximum permitted speed for mopeds with an engine capacity of up to 50 cc, which may be driven with the Class AM driving licence integrated in the Class B driving licence, from 45 km/h by 14 km/h to 59 km/h.
In the former GDR, Schwalbe mopeds were already allowed to ride at 60km/h (Schwalbe), and models registered before 1992 are still allowed to do so today.
At the same time, the regulation that such vehicles may be ridden without registration with a simple insurance number plate should be retained.
Reason
The limitation to a maximum speed of 45 km/h 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 59 km/h would be a milder means that would be even better suited to achieve this objective.
The main area of application for 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 in this respect are comparable to bicycles.
These potential hazards considerably exceed the potential danger posed by a moderately increased permissible maximum speed. This also applies to the use on smaller country 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 59 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.
Especially in times of impending driving bans in inner cities and increasing parking shortages, the switch to more environmentally friendly and space-saving two-wheelers should be made more attractive.
A corresponding regulation would strongly support e-scooters and e-microbikes.
I ask for your support!
Enclosed are the signature lists of the online petition we initiated with 26,000 signatories.
Many greetings from Upper Bavaria,
