Christmas
I really want to get my daughter a moped for Christmas, she's had a bit of a shitty time of it recently with health issues and stuff, and she's turning 16 just before Christmas. Not sure if I'll be able to afford it, but I'm gonna give it a damned good try. Crossed fingers.
(Freakmandu, Thu 3 Dec 2009, 10:44, 10 replies)

Rather than buy her a 50cc death-trap
why not promise her driving lessons for when she turns 17. Then you have 12 months to save money for the lessons. For xmas buy her a little toy car with an "IOU driving lessons" with it.
( Colonel Dracula Two manky hookers and a racist dwarf, Thu 3 Dec 2009, 11:14, closed)

^This^

(Galahad is out of his gourd on yellow bentines, Thu 3 Dec 2009, 11:17, closed)

Did I just stumble onto 'Have Your Say' by mistake?
50cc death trap, really?

Brilliant idea, give her some independence. It's also a great way to improve on road awareness, something most car drivers seem to lack, it'll be a real help when she does learn to drive four-wheeled tin cans.

Find a good company to do the Compulsory Basic Training, it'll be well worth the outlay and buy her the best safety clothing that you can afford (especially crash helmet).

Mopeds don't all have to be ridden by chavs with a death wish
(lardyboy Next stop, Fissplap Central, Thu 3 Dec 2009, 11:28, closed)

Trouble is it isn't (usually) the driver...
It's other road users as you admit who have no awareness.

But yes, I am old and will now leave to complain about noise and the youth of today, etc.
(Galahad is out of his gourd on yellow bentines, Thu 3 Dec 2009, 11:31, closed)

*shrugs*

( Colonel Dracula Two manky hookers and a racist dwarf, Thu 3 Dec 2009, 11:43, closed)

I appreciate your concern, but
I've been a biker for years, ever since I bought my first bike at 16 (Im 45 now). When I got that bike my father (another biker) gave me the best piece of advice I've ever had - treat every other road user like fucking morons who don't have a clue what they're doing and you'll be fine. I don't see mopeds as death traps, personally I think everyone should have to learn to ride a bike, and then ride that bike for a couple of years, before they're allowed near a car - it would teach them far more in the way of road sense, awareness, manners and consideration than car driving does.

She is going to college next year and will need transport - public transport from where I live is a joke, and besides which giving her independence rather than wrapping her up in cotton wool and having mummy dropping her off at college isnt so cloying for a person of that age.

I will, however, be teaching her to ride it myself, alongside the training courses - just to put my own mind at rest that she knows the dangers and treats the machine and the road with respect.
(Freakmandu, Thu 3 Dec 2009, 13:51, closed)

a basic biking course
As a biker yourself, I'm sure you are aware of this, but before you get your bike licence you need to pass a proficiency (did I spell that right?) test just to go out on the open roads on an L plate. On this they teach you how moronic other drivers are, but also how to be safe yourself. If you do get together enough money to buy your daughter a moped (great idea btw, if you are sure she'll appreciate it) why not get all the extended family that'd buy her bath bombs or New Look vouchers to club together and send her on one of these courses. Than if she does like her moped, she'll be safer on the road and also be one step nearer getting her bike test
( no longer a user, Thu 3 Dec 2009, 14:13, closed)

I often wondered why car drivers don't have a similar proficiency test - or do they now, its been so long since I passed my car test things have probably changed.
(Freakmandu, Thu 3 Dec 2009, 14:16, closed)

Look up the
cost of driving insurance first.
( The Scrunt Wants a Dozen Pints, Thu 3 Dec 2009, 11:15, closed)

There are shed-loads of deals around now
You can get scooters with free insurance (including 16-year-olds), CBT and riding kit for a pittance now. The MCIA is so desperate to get people on two wheels. It's a buyer's market like never before.
(Miraclefish How appropriate, you fight like a cow, Thu 3 Dec 2009, 13:28, closed)