Italian mopeds, commonly referred to as Vespas, are a popular style of moped. Vespas are sleekly designed with pressed steel bodies which enclose the engine. Unlike the first mopeds, Vespas do not have pedals, but rather a flat horizontal surface where the feet may rest. To start the engine, riders must be started with a key in the vehicle's ignition. The Vespa was a staple of mod culture in Europe, but eventually found manufacturers and success in North America amongst young urban professionals. Most Vespas have compartments at the back end of the vehicle which can either be used to store a helmet or transport cargo.
The very first mopeds were basically motorized bicycles. In fact, the name "moped," is derived from "motorized" and "pedal." Pedals are essential to these mopeds, because although pedaling is not necessary once the motor is running, pedaling is what initially starts a motorized bicycle. Once motorized, feet may be rested on small ledges on the side of the vehicle. These mopeds look very similar to non-motorized bicycles, but with a thicker frame and a few more features such as a headlight and rear view mirrors attached to both handles. Most non-motorized bicycles may be converted in mopeds with the proper supplies.
The smallest type of moped is the motorized scooter. Many motorized scooters do not even have seats, but are merely stood upon like a skateboard while a vertical post handle extends upward for stability and acceleration control. Scooters with seats are slightly more expensive, but generally have the same motor power. Wheels on scooters are usually much smaller, compared to other mopeds, only slightly larger than a tricycle wheel. These types of mopeds are actually not as suitable for driving on streets which are shared with cars, since the fastest scooter will barely reach 90 mph.
