Scooters and mopeds have significantly increased mobility in recent decades. But for 16 and 17 year olds, they are the only motorised vehicle. And they have become very much linked to the lifestyle of young people in this age group. There are around 311,000 male scooter/moped riders and 191,000 female riders.
We find around half of the scooter riders among 16 to 24 year olds. According to the Periodical Regional Survey Traffic Safety 2001 (PROV), younger riders (16 to 17 years) drive the fewest kilometres per journey (9 km), 55 plus riders drive the most (18 km).
Young people also make more short journeys; older people make fewer but longer journeys. Commuter/school traffic is the main motive for scooters, with social traffic in second place. For older people, shopping is the main motive.