62 “Classic” or “Scooter” Mopeds, Comparison of Dynamic Capacities

In France, the current evolution in the number of road accident victims is less favourable for the moped rider category than for the majority of others. In addition, the proportion of scooters in the moped park is currently considerably increasing. The aim of the research work presented is to consider if an explanation for the bad results for this category of users, in terms of road safety, can be found through the study of the dynamic performances of this type of vehicle. We thus carried out an experiment aimed at comparing the dynamic capacities of a “Classic” moped with those of a “Scooter” model. Two mopeds, one of each type, were fitted with an embedded measurement system. They were driven for several tests on a track by a professional test pilot. The results of this study are more in favour of the “Scooter” moped, which seems to offer equivalent, or even better, dynamic capacities than the “Classic” one. The reasons for the bad safety results for the moped user category are to be sought elsewhere, perhaps in the field of scooter driver behaviour in traffic conditions.