I. Why we need change

I love the beauty of the earth and of Mother Nature, and nobody wants to see the beautiful Far North never snow again or see the year round pleasant climate of the Mediterranean transformed into blistering summers and freezing winters. Climate change, air pollution and shrinking ozone is a growing problem. The poles are slowly melting and the adverse health effects of increasing air pollution are well-documented. An important part of slowing it is green transportation. However, motor vehicle laws and infrastructure don’t make zero and low-carbon footprint transportation such as EVs, mopeds, scooters and bikes a practical solution. Bikes are a great option for short distances. You get exercise, they are green, and you don’t need to find parking. However, many roads are designed for motor vehicles, not bicycles. For long distances, electric cars and electric motorcycles are not a viable solution due to lack of charging facilities. For those longer distances, mopeds and small motorcycles are a good option, but special and unnecessary licensing requirements make those forms of transportation hard to switch to. Another problem is traffic congestion. If more people switched to bikes and scooters, traffic would flow more smoothly and cities and freeways would not be as congested.

Part 1: Infrastructural change

EVs are the least polluting option with the least lifestyle changes needed for those switching from an ICE automobile. However, they aren’t a good option people who do frequent road trips or have a long commute. An EV requires a charging station and at least a couple hours of charging time, while a normal automobile can pull up to any gas station and fill up in 5 minutes or less. If EVs are going to be a viable mode of transport for the majority of the population, businesses need to be incentivised to install charging stations. Bikes and scooters are great if you want an easy commuting method. However, most roads aren’t designed for bikes. Scooters and mopeds are a better option for long commutes or commuting on busy streets, but are less accessible than just waking up one day and deciding to cycle to work.

Part 2: Legal Change   
That brings me to legal change. For those with longer commutes or even road trips, low-carbon or zero footprint vehicles such as mopeds and scooters good options. Gas models can fill up at any gas station and pump out a fraction of the emissions of a car, and bigger models can travel on the freeways. However, some states such as my native CA, have requirements that are silly and unnecessary, especially for small scooters and mopeds that are not that different from riding a bike. I propose that the DMV of each state have definitions and requirements similar to the example below:

Motor-Driven Cycle

-Incapable of propelling the rider more than 30mph on level ground

-Has a footboard or footpegs and must have a seat if footpegs are used

-On roads with a speed limit of 40mph or greater, a bike lane or paved shoulder should be used if present. If there is no bike lane or paved shoulder or the bike lane or shoulder cannot be used, the rider must use the rightmost lane unless passing, preparing to make a left turn or avoiding a hazard in the rightmost lane.

-Rider must be 16 or older, possess a valid form of identification and obey all signs and traffic laws

-Requires registration and special motor-driven cycle plates

Motorcycle

-Capable of propelling the rider over 30mph

on level ground

-Has a seat and a footboard or footpegs

-Rider must have a motorcycle license and DOT-Approved Helmet

-Requires registration and plates

Under my proposed definition, motor driven cycles include vintage bicycle-style mopeds and most 50cc and electric mopeds. Such vehicles can be safely operated without motorcycle training and would provide a low or zero-emissions, economical and convenient form of transportation for high school and college students, urban commuters and leisurely road trips. Motorcycles would include all 125cc+ scooters and chopper, sport, and adventure style motorbikes. These require motorcycle training to operate safely and would be a good options for longer road trips and commutes and those wanting to get places fast. However, they are faster and very different from riding a bike and changing the licensing requirements would endanger riders and others on the road. The good news is most states make getting a motorcycle endorsement and proper training easy, especially for riders over 18 or 21.

Conclusion: How you can make a change 

Improving EV infrastructure and making regulation of small personal transport less stringent will reduce traffic congestion, help each region of earth keep its beauty. Sign now, share this petition with your friends and family and make a change for a greener and healthier planet!