Mopeds were originally designed as motorized bicycles, combining the exhausting pedal power of a standard bike with a weak, sputtering little engine that barely managed to conquer a mild incline.

A closer look

Mopeds were originally designed as motorized bicycles, combining the exhausting pedal power of a standard bike with a weak, sputtering little engine that barely managed to conquer a mild incline. They peaked in popularity during the fuel crises of the 1970s, offering incredibly cheap transportation for people who didn't mind looking slightly absurd while traveling at twenty miles per hour. Today, the true moped has largely been replaced by gas-guzzling scooters and electric bikes, but the spirit lives on in every underpowered two-wheeler whining loudly down the street. It remains the vehicle of choice for food delivery drivers who view traffic laws, red lights, and pedestrian sidewalks as optional suggestions rather than legally binding rules