Moped rentals...PLEASE DON'T do it....
- Thread starter Christi
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OP
A sticky for this would be good! In fact, maybe it could replace the "A Way to help the Cozumel Community...." sticky. That's over a year old now and we're all well on the road to structural and fiscal recovery from Wilma...although we'll never forget it of course along with the overwhelming generosity of so many SB members 
akbpilot:
Clearwater
Contributor
Or Kuala Lumpur, where pedestrians crossing one-way streets have to look both ways because the motorbikes often run opposite the flow between jammed lanes of traffic to make shortcuts.
As has been stated, these little temptations can be rented in a number of tourist destinations. Frankly, I wouldn't even want to drive one in most places in North America. If I'm in the mood for something sporty, I'll take a Jeep any day. :14:
Agreed, this seems to be such a common, albeit tragic, occurrence in Coz. I know from the stories Peg and I have heard from you we'll NEVER chance a scooter. Besides with taxis so prevelent and economical why chance it....Christi:A sticky for this would be good! In fact, maybe it could replace the "A Way to help the Cozumel Community...." sticky. That's over a year old now and we're all well on the road to structural and fiscal recovery from Wilma...although we'll never forget it of course along with the overwhelming generosity of so many SB members
Gdog
Contributor
exactly, rje634.....why not spent that moped money on a taxi, and save your life instead of a few bucks.......seems like a no brainer to me.
cerich:
I partially agree with what you say, but I think a large part of the problem rises from the fact that a moped does not equal a motorcycle, ie: small wheels, poor performance, P*** poor center of gravity. Mix that in with uneven road surfaces, unfamiliar traffic patterns, loads of traffic, inexperience, and even a small amount of alcohol, and you have a recipe for disaster. Even a person with some experience, is going to be behind the curve, albeit way ahead of the person with no experience.
I gather from the original story the victim was part of one of the organized moped tours I've witnessed (picture a dozen or so inexperienced, slightly unsure people stretched out single file riding the shoulder of the road from the cruise docks to one of the beaches to the south). I think being part of a "group tour" gives people a false sense of security. Kind of a herd mentality. While I understand that vacation time is the time to let your hair down and experience new things, it never ceases to amaze me why people will do things while on vacation that they would not be comfortable with in their "normal" lives. I've got a pretty wide comfort zone in my day to day life, and spent about half of my early adult years on a motorcycle, but riding a moped in Cozumel falls way out side my comfort zone.
This is not scientific by any means, but I did a quick google search. Mopeds appear to rent for around $25-$30 a day. A jeep at LessPay, and even Avis around $50-$60 a day. Figuring one rider per moped, a couple or even two couples could get the jeep for around the same or less money and have a much safer time of it, and still get that "open air" experience.
I did however note during my "un-scientific" search on Google that well over half of the hits on "Cozumel moped rentals" either advised against it, or had a strong warning about the safety of it. Maybe the word is finally getting out.
My wife and I were threre on Tuesday and came upon the scene shortly after the accident. As soon as I saw the ambulance around the corner I knew it was a scooter accident. I was expecting to see a road rash victim, but instead saw a bloody sheet covering the body and family/friends on the roadside in deep distress. I wish anyone who would think of renting one of those things could witness what we did.
A couple of thoughts
It's about time the Coz business comunity steps up to put an end to these rentals to tourists. Locals who grow up with and understand how to ride these things is one thing. Tourists who may have not even ridden a bicycle in years riding these things is insane at best. As much as I hate attorneys, in this country this kind of thing would never last as the lawsuits would bury the companys that rent them. Its all about making money and it makes me sick. I know the folks from the island who post here are mostly expats(ie Christi, Sally ect) and most likely have little pull politically on the island maybe they can get the ball rolling or give us direction on who to contact in a coordinated way to bring change. Everything is about good business and if the NY Times or USA Today ran stories about Americans being killed or injured on vacation needlessly it could affect business in a negative way and would get the attention of those in power to bring change.
The Cruise companies... They spend huge amounts steering the cattle to shop at or buy tours from certain "partners" ect. You think they could spend a little on warning people about the dangers of renting these things. Pressure could also be applied to these companies.
BTW- before we flew home yesteday, we offgassed Friday and ran accross another couple of people who fell off thier scooter and luckily were not hurt badly, we left them in the care of the green cross?? tourista assistance people.
Rich
A couple of thoughts
It's about time the Coz business comunity steps up to put an end to these rentals to tourists. Locals who grow up with and understand how to ride these things is one thing. Tourists who may have not even ridden a bicycle in years riding these things is insane at best. As much as I hate attorneys, in this country this kind of thing would never last as the lawsuits would bury the companys that rent them. Its all about making money and it makes me sick. I know the folks from the island who post here are mostly expats(ie Christi, Sally ect) and most likely have little pull politically on the island maybe they can get the ball rolling or give us direction on who to contact in a coordinated way to bring change. Everything is about good business and if the NY Times or USA Today ran stories about Americans being killed or injured on vacation needlessly it could affect business in a negative way and would get the attention of those in power to bring change.
The Cruise companies... They spend huge amounts steering the cattle to shop at or buy tours from certain "partners" ect. You think they could spend a little on warning people about the dangers of renting these things. Pressure could also be applied to these companies.
BTW- before we flew home yesteday, we offgassed Friday and ran accross another couple of people who fell off thier scooter and luckily were not hurt badly, we left them in the care of the green cross?? tourista assistance people.
Rich
Sue Sue
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This is yet another tragic ending regarding the use of mopeds. Thoughts and prayers for all. I have been to Cozumel at least a dozen times, and I must say that I have witnessed a moped incident at least once on each trip. Two of those times I was almost hit....while walking on the sidewalk !!! Fortunately, we were able to pull my son's fiance out of the way on one of those incidents as well. We all must be very alert and careful when walking around and especially crossing the streets. Sue
please, spare of this "we should be protected" myth
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adult
"The term adult describes any mature organism, but normally it refers to a human: one that is no longer a child / minor and is now either a man or a woman. Adulthood can be defined in terms of biology, law, personal character, or social status. These different aspects of adulthood are often inconsistent and contradictory. A person may be biologically an adult, and have adult behavioral characteristics but still be treated as a child if they are under the legal age of majority. Conversely one may legally be an adult but possess none of the maturity and responsibility that define adult character."
In short - you should have a head on your shoulders or an adult to tell you what NOT to do.
:no
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adult
"The term adult describes any mature organism, but normally it refers to a human: one that is no longer a child / minor and is now either a man or a woman. Adulthood can be defined in terms of biology, law, personal character, or social status. These different aspects of adulthood are often inconsistent and contradictory. A person may be biologically an adult, and have adult behavioral characteristics but still be treated as a child if they are under the legal age of majority. Conversely one may legally be an adult but possess none of the maturity and responsibility that define adult character."
In short - you should have a head on your shoulders or an adult to tell you what NOT to do.
:no
I didn't reply to this when it was first posted as I was in Coz and trying to limit my time spent writing things on the internet. BUT...there is MAJOR construction underway as the highway around the island (and the cross island highway) is being widened. This means very, very rough roads in spots, lots and lots of potholes, loose rocks, and gravel trucks everywhere. I had a hard enough time driving in a car and figured that everytime I saw tourist going by in a group (and sometimes stopping in for drinks as they went), I saw an accident looking for a place to happen. There are also lots of potholes in the roads in town (albeit further back in town where most of the cruiseship tourists don't venture). You can't see the potholes when it rains buckets and the road is flooded, making it even more treacherous to navigate. Finally, my husband and I were walking down 5th early one afternoon and saw two guys coming down the road. One lost control of his scooter, bounced off the curb, then bounced back into the traffic. I literally gasped out loud. His buddy stopped in the middle of traffic to wait for him to catch up. Accident looking for a place to happen.
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