[Reprobate]

Originally Posted by LilGreenBooger

seems a terribly complicated answer, that doesn't really define 'moped' other than being a small motorcycle with big wheels.

I always thought a true Moped was a motor driven cycle that could also be propelled by turning a set of bicycle style pedals. Mo (motor) + Ped (Pedal)

Well, in a sense you're right. There used to be a law that moped had to have pedals:




When the law was rescinded and the pedals were no longer mandatory, it opened the way for moped without pedals, like the aforementioned scooters.
So, every <50cc scooter is a moped, but not every moped is a scooter.