Beating the prices at the pumps

If you aren't into pedaling and petrol prices are way too pricey, there is still an alternative to pulling up too often to the pumps.

After a 20 year absence from the roads of BC, the moped is making a comeback. Motorized bicycles, still popular in European countries, have had a hard go in Canada since the federal government reclassified them as limited speed motorcycles in the mid 1980's.

It's taken a few years, but Tomos of Slovania has finally built a moped that meets Canada's Department of Transportation standards. Mopeds are now classified as limited speed vehicles because of their less than 50 cubic centimeter engine and maximum speed of 70km/hr in BC. In British Columbia a moped can be driven by anyone with a class five driver's license, and a helmet, there is no need for a motorcycle license.

Tomos, who have been making mopeds since the 1950s, distribute two models in Canada, the step through which looks like a typical moped, and the high end model which has the same features, but has the styling of a motorcycle. Neither model actually has pedals, but are fitted with a kick start. Both models weigh 120 pounds, have two-speed automatic transmission, head lights, tail lights and signal lights, and are Transport Canada approved.

The biggest selling feature of the moped is that they get up to 35 kilometers per litre, or 120 miles per gallon of gas. The average automobile gets about 8.4km/I and the average mini van or sport utility vehicle might get 5.9km/I. The obvious draw of the moped is the terrific gas mileage, and with prices hitting an all-time high of 81.9 recently, more and more people are looking for alternatives to filling up at the pump.

New moped driver George Robbins laughs at the price of gas these days. "It costs me $1.50, maybe $2 to fill up, and I can go for two or three weeks, depending on how much running around I'm doing." Robbins began looking for a moped around two months, because of the rising fuel prices. "I drove a big Chev Caprice, after less than a week of just driving around Sidney, the tank's empty. It [the moped] just seemed to make sense."

The first call Robbins made was to Grant's Small Motor's after learning that they were the local dealer for Tomos mopeds, "I called up and said I'm 270 pounds plus. Can I ride a moped?" Owner Grant Cornwell's answer, "I don't know." But after a few quick calls to Tomos Canadian Distributor, Cornwell was getting back to Robbins with the answer he wanted to hear: 'with the addition of heavy duty shocks, I told him, go ahead." Robbins did, making his purchase almost immediately

Robbins uses his moped to run errands and get to appointments in Sidney, 'I try to find excuses to go out and do things, this little thing is so much fun just to get out and ride. I'm even asking my wife if she needs me to go out for groceries!" Robbins laughed.

Grant's Small Motors owner Grant Cornwell said the mopeds are starting to catch on. "We have people who are from Germany and other European countries who grew up with mopeds, they come by just to have a look. We've also had several people who are interested in having them on their RVs or boats coming around to look."

Cornwell said: 'It's an old idea whose time has come again. With the gas prices going up, a moped is a great alternative for commuters, students, and even retired folks who want to have a bit of fun, like George."