The demand was clear: more speed for mopeds – safer, more modern, sensible. Despite over 52,000 signatures, the speed limit remains at 45 km/h for vehicles up to 50 cc or 6 hp. The initiative to increase the speed limit to 60 km/h, supported by SIP Scootershop, was officially rejected by the German parliament in June 2025.
For more speed
On January 24, 2023, SIP Scootershop launched a petition with the clear aim of raising the maximum permitted speed for mopeds (up to 50 cc) and electric two-wheelers (up to 4 kW or 6 hp), which can be ridden with the AM driving license category (included in the B license), from the current 45 km/h to 60 km/h.
Why 60 km/h?
The petition was started for a good reason: In everyday life, it becomes clear over and over again that vehicles at 45 km/h are often perceived as an obstacle to traffic, and overtaking is often risky and close. This makes it practically impossible to keep up with inner-city traffic. More speed therefore also means more safety and better traffic flow.
In times of ever stricter inner city concepts, scarce parking spaces and growing environmental awareness, it would be a logical step to make the two-wheeler more attractive as an alternative to the car. Less energy consumption, lower CO₂ emissions, less waste of resources – there is a lot to be said for the small change with a big impact.
Over 50,000 people have signed
On June 23, 2023, 52,155 supporters had signed the petition. After several attempts, a political advocate was finally found. Member of the German Bundestag Volker Ullrich (CSU) agreed to accept the petition as a representative in July 2023. After that: a long silence.
Suddenly, things got moving again. In January 2025, Michael Schümann and Dina Ludmann from Motorrad Online took up the issue again. Two years after the handover, on 10 July 2025, SIP Scootershop received an official letter from Dr. Hülya Düber (CSU), Member of the German Bundestag and Chairwoman of the Bundestag Petitions Committee. The sobering message: on June 26, 2025, it was decided to close the petition process – a polite euphemism for rejection.
Disappointment about the political signal
The German parliament’s decision to reject the petition to raise the speed limit for mopeds has caused a lack of understanding among many of those involved. The rejection raises doubts as to whether safety, environmental aspects and mobility change are really at the heart of the transport policy agenda, or whether European requirements are being used as a convenient excuse.
Ralf Jodl, Managing Director of SIP Scootershop and initiator of the petition, criticizes the lack of political backing: “This decision proves once again that the riders of mopeds have no lobby in Germany and in the EU. A simple look at Asia makes it clear that these vehicles will become increasingly important in the future. It’s sad that people’s safety is being ignored.”
Christian Laufkötter from the Vespa Club of Germany (VCVD) points to a growing safety gap in urban traffic. The VCVD believes that powerful electric cars in particular pose an increasing risk to mopeds, which are limited to 45 km/h. It believes that raising the speed limit to 50 or 60 km/h would make a significant contribution to road safety. The political rejection of the petition is seen as an indication that both safety concerns and the wishes of the more than 50,000 supporters were not sufficiently taken into account.
Proposal: National “AM+” driving license for greater safety
One possible solution would be the introduction of a supplementary “AM+” driving license category, a national extension comparable to the special regulation for moped driving licenses. The existing EU-wide AM category would remain untouched, while the additional AM+ category could allow 50 cc scooters to be driven at speeds of up to 60 km/h, ideally from the age of 16. This step would strengthen electromobility in particular, as modern electric scooters should also be explicitly included in this regulation. At the same time, the fundamental question arises as to whether the current classification of vehicle categories is still up to date.
Regardless of the political outcome, SIP Scootershop would like to thank all supporters. Over 52,000 people have sent a clear signal with their signatures – for more safety, more mobility and fair treatment of mopeds in road traffic.
What now? Get active!
The political process is not over yet. If you want to take the issue further, you can contact your directly elected member of parliament and draw attention to the problem. You can find the contact details of your representatives on the website of the German Bundestag. SIP Scootershop also provides a sample letter that you can use freely.
Increasing the maximum permitted speed for mopeds | Petition | German Bundestag
