Mopeds and 16 yr olds, words of caution or advice?

As someone who rode mopeds and then motorbikes from an early age I couldn't really say no to my kids when they wanted them.

I put them through their CBT's and some extra training plus took them out (me on my bike). I then had their Scooters derestricted once they'd run them in (managed about 45mph), 32-33mph is just a death wish.

They all moved onto cars when they hit 17 y/o and passed their tests.

Decent helmets, jackets & gloves too -- but they'd been pillion with me plus I (at the time) was doing 15k-20k yearly commuting on bikes, so they understood to risks/issues.

Word of advice: "Lifesaver"

I’m a bit concerned that a 50cc moped is just going to be too wheezy and he’ll actually be a bigger risk as he won’t even be able to keep up with traffic, never mind overtake.

No different to a bike then!
(other than wearing much more protective gear)

Mine were thankfully never interested despite me riding bikes when younger and they were growing up. I had a couple of accidents which perhaps put them off!

intheborders has the right approach. If any of my 3 had wanted one I would have had concerns. I walk past 2 lampposts in our valley which have flowers and notes on them remembering moped riders. One was riding a mates (with no helmet!) and the other was on their own bike but going way to fast.

It does seem to be a very short phase. Maybe focus on him saving for a car!

would an e-moped be a decent option? still limited to 30mph but could be a chunk more powerful to get up the hills

As someone that's ridden and crashed road and MTB pedal bikes all his life (including lots of hospital visits), what could you say ? Just get some proper training for him - best learning the issues before he encounters it for real.

Fortunately my son is into cars.

My son has a vintage moped which has spent more time in pieces than on the road. Honda PA50 Camino. Great fun and he’s learnt loads. He’s now bought (having earned all the money himself) a 125 to tour Europe in the summer.

I would advise looking at accident statistics with him

If that doesn't work, make him buy all the expensive safety kit first

I'd rather ride a moped on the road than a push bike.
You can wear plenty of safety gear and you can keep up with traffic.
Ultimately ,is he an idiot?
My nephew killed his best friend in a car as soon as he passed his test. We all knew it was going to happen because he was a monumental prick.

Anyone let their kid loose on a moped and want to share their experiences?

I let myself loose if that helps and that was when having a car licence meant I got the moped one for free. So sod all training just jump on and ride.
Main problem would be on fast open roads. If they aint then the cars are normally less of a problem (just like cycling).
How many mopeds do you see around? The struggling up a hill could be an arse. They are also less than great in winter conditions.

Young people, far too many hormones in their blood and no experience + mopeds = a lot of very risky behaviour.

Loads of young people on mopeds here race round like they're on a private race track rather than roads with cars and immovable object like lampposts to hit when they loose control. I am amazed there aren't more deaths. The other month I was indicating and turning left when a moped undertook me at 60mph in the cycle lane in a 30mph zone. I saw him and stopped, probably saved his life - he probably thought 'yeah, what a rush' and just carried on speeding in the cycle lane.

All I can suggest is a lot more training than the CBT, which is very basic.

You probably know the answer to this better than anyone else.

Does he already ride his bike on the road a lot and is confident with it?

Is he the kind that of lad that is sensible and unlikely to get pressurised into stupidity by his mates?

If the answer is yes to both of those questions, I'd probably say yes. Nothing in life is entirely risk free and there's always going to be a first time to be on the road solo be this a car or moped. And cars are a lot faster.

How far is it to school/college ? Would it be more hassle with locking a moped up ?

I had one at 16, and a CG125 at 17.

At 16, when you've never ridden anything faster, they feel plenty quick enough. My commute into 6th form was mostly country A roads and never had any issues. Think about it in two ways,
1) the average speed of a car is probably <30mph, so very few cars ever bothered overtaking on anything other than the longest, widest, straights as there was probably a traffic jam visible ahead. If the car's are in 1st gear they won't be overtaking scooters.

2) I managed 2 years of daily commuting in all weathers including snow and ice, and sold both bikes on in (almost) mint condition afterwards. And I was the minority both in having them restricted to 30mph/11Hp respectively and among friends on derestricted bikes mostly wrote them off, ended up in hospital, or both.

Maybe the causation is idiots tended to derestrict their bikes rather than the other way around, but there was certainly correlation.

would an e-moped be a decent option? still limited to 30mph but could be a chunk more powerful to get up the hills

Might not make as much a difference as you imagine, the restrictor is usually in the CVT belt pulley, so it limits the gearing to 30mph, I remember mine would seemingly do 30mph everywhere (that wasn't downhill). Obviously different on a Cagiva/Derbi with a manual gearbox.

Ive seen a lot more youngsters on the roads these days on mopeds than used to. Seems to be a resurgence, and obviously the Deliveroo/Just Eat lot can give youngsters wanting jobs, CBT and L Plates - sorted

If hes used to bikes and the mechanics thereof (dry vs wet vs slippery surfaces and obstacles) then get him a moped, CBT and importantly all the gear. None of this riding with jeans and trainers etc. As tthew says, is he already savvy?

I used to get back and forward to school on a moped with my mates, parked it at the school and the school office used to keep our helmets!

Road safety - regardless whether on a motorbike or moped its about road positioning, defensive driving and aware of surroundings. If in a town, most traffic will be doing 20 or 30 anyway.
As to being nuts on a moped, well at least restricted to around 35mph. Get road sense before getting car driving lessons etc.

For the record My son wasnt interested in a moped/motorbike - in fact i had to make him take car lessons....

I mate of mine used a moped for years, day or night.

She then was 'gently' knocked off it by a car and never went near it again.

Why at 16 do you 'need' a scooter? I am sure its probably more that some mates have one and he wants to be part of the crowd.

Say he can have one if he saves all the money for the safety gear?

Personally my lad wont be getting one. He will use public transport, a push bike and save for a car.

I had a Honda C50 moped when I was 16 and a Kawasaki AR80 after that, if I had a child who wanted to do something similar then I think I'd let them.

BUT I'd get them some training and take them out for a few rides with me on another bike so I can observe and provide sage advice.

My experience was great, a couple of minor 'offs' which taught me lot's and gave me stories to tell my mates and so many fun times it was worth every minute.

My parents were worried (as all responsible parents should be) but they decided to let me have a go and stand by with advice and support. I'd take the same approach.

Why at 16 do you ‘need’ a scooter?

From the age of 14 me and my mates could tell you exactly how many days it was til we were "on the road".
Our whole lives were consumed by motorbikes.
Will your son be magically safer at 17?

We had this dilemma a few months ago - daughter going to college, college is 20min drive away in country roads.

Almost convinced the wife, then a local nurse spoke to her (wife) and threw it completely the other way....

then a local nurse spoke to her (wife) and threw it completely the other way

That's a bit like asking my sister (a copper) about crime - according to her everyone is a criminal and looking to steal/rape/murder at every opportunity.

PERSPECTIVE - is in short supply with some people.

I know a small hand of people who've been killed on motorbikes... i know a lot more people who've died from other reasons.

I know a lot of bikers... a heck of a lot.

Sure, there's a danger... of course... but it's not instant death that's for sure.

For all those quoting accidents and the like, you've all known folk who've fallen down stairs, so why aren't you all living in bungalows?

If I was El Presidentie,I would make it the law that everyone had to cycle and motorbike long before they get to drive a car.
It would give them a valuable appreciation of two wheeled transport,and (IMO) make them better road users.

There has always been motorbikes in our family,my son is sitting part of his bike test today ,he knows the risks and has cycled on the road since he was a teenager.

Only the OP can know how much of a dick his lad is likely to be on a moped. I think I'd insist on going on more than a few road rides to work on his awareness/lifesaver checks etc before I'd agree to it, though.

had a Honda C50 moped when I was 16 and a Kawasaki AR80 after that, if

I had an AR50 at 16.

Most of my mates had a DT50. Whacked a different exhuast on after this pic and changed the rear cog so it would accelerate faster.

Used it to go to work, college and hook up with mates.It was essential as there was no real good public transport in the village

Thanks all, he’s not pushing for this, just mentioned. When I say he’s Ok on two wheels, that’s bicycle control off-road, he/we try and cycle off road to get away from traffic.

None of his mates have them, it is purely a practical possible solution.

Road sense is going to be the issues, defensive riding and positioning. He’s not a muppet, but maybe it’s not a great idea. He would have to ride through Halifax where there are plenty of idiot drivers.

We might park this idea and get him four wheels as soon as possible.

My lad had one, used it for commuting to his apprenticeship. He fell off a couple of time but luckily no major damage, some may or may not have been his fault vs a cars fault.

His didn't seem very reliable and often wouldn't start. I did have to rescue him and the ped from a car park across town

I would also mention after numerous mistakes on my part on a push bike at a max of 20ish mph in Edinburgh I've given myself a life ban from motor bikes.

Talking to someone with a massive bike he said "it's me that turns the throttle"

I am relatively sure I would be in an accident and it would be my fault due to my speed. Sure enough never to get a bike licence.

I don't know that many motor bikers. They all knew someone who had been killed/ maimed on a motor bike.

I know a small hand of people who’ve been killed on motorbikes… i know a lot more people who’ve died from other reasons.

I know a lot of bikers… a heck of a lot.

Sure, there’s a danger… of course… but it’s not instant death that’s for sure.

It's worth looking at the detail of the motorcycle casualties. Everyone I know who was a biker knew people who'd died but they've also all been much older and on high powered bikes rather than kids on mopeds. A low powered bike, sensibly and defensively ridden, is probably safer that cycling on the road (as you're going to be wearing a much better helmet and probably more protective clothing).

A disproportionate number of motorcycle deaths and injuries (compared to other vehicle types) are 'no other vehicle involved' - 17.5% of all collisions. And there is a huge spike in collisions during the middle of the day at weekends (as well as the natural peaks during weekday work commutes) - high powered bikes, rural roads, people riding like idiots...

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/reported-road-casualties-great-britain-motorcyclist-factsheet-2020/reported-road-casualties-in-great-britain-motorcycle-factsheet-2020

The other option, of course, is a decent electric commuter bike rather than a moped.

Road sense is going to be the issues, defensive riding and positioning. He’s not a muppet, but maybe it’s not a great idea. He would have to ride through Halifax where there are plenty of idiot drivers.

We might park this idea and get him four wheels as soon as possible.

This is the same argument the school run mums use to justify driving them to school. "Car's on the road are dangerous, therefore my solution to the problem is to add one more car."

I had bus passes, mopeds, motorbikes (and a lot of bikes) from ~12 onwards as we lived in the middle of nowhere (it was hours walk to the road). I've had (and by tenuous definition, still have) cars, but still went out of my way to avoid using them where possible.

Car's are great for individuals in the short term, crap for the rest of society short and long term.

Almost convinced the wife, then a local nurse spoke to her (wife) and threw it completely the other way….

Then for balance find someone who knows people that used various transport options to go to college, then university, become Nobel laureates etc. Don't just judge it by one extreme of the bell curve.

If I was El Presidentie,I would make it the law that everyone had to cycle and motorbike long before they get to drive a car.

This always comes up in any driving related or close pass thread. Yet here only one person has mentioned/jokingly suggested it. Slightly different when its your own flesh and blood isn't it.

I quite want a motorbike, never quite got around to the cost and time commitment. (almost certainly would have done if I hadnt discovered MTB).

My mother and grandmother are quite against them. However I looked up the death statistics and found that a motorbike today is statistically safer than a car when my mum passed her driving test. She was happy to assume that risk at the time.

In France we can ride a 50cc at 14. No test, just a 7 hour training Day.
My son and my daughter both have a 50cc Sherco.
6 gears and with an exhaust easy to get to 80kmh.

Padded gloves are compulsory

thee motorcyclists died in 9 years outside my house...

Two u-tuning cars - main road to M3/M25 out of SW London, and one was found dead on a little roundabout at 6am in the morning, no clue what happened...

I love love love motorbikes, but not where I live would I dare to own one.

I was a plonker on my bike and brushed death a few times as a teen, last go I met a drunk-driver and spent 14 weeks in traction, 6m on sticks and a career in the RAF ruined. Probably shortened my mum's life in the process.

I am going the same way with road bikes after 30 years of riding, same road as above I had someone u-turn infront of me the other day

For all those quoting accidents and the like, you’ve all known folk who’ve fallen down stairs, so why aren’t you all living in bungalows?

Sigh 🙄

You get us stats on the percentage of 16 year olds using stairs that are killed doing so; versus the percentage of 16 year old moped drivers killed whilst doing so.

Then I'll explain it to you. ( if you still need it explained)

In France we can ride a 50cc at 14. No test, just a 7 hour training Day.

Almost twice the death rate on the roads vs the UK though...

In addition to whast has already been said, make sure they understand that a powerde bike is much easier to take into a corner too fast and skid on leaves/mud etc - all my son's offs were down to not reading the road correctly (moped and 125).

Also factor in the theft factor - my son's bikes were targetted multiple times (lots of minor damage including to the fairings, ignition, locks etc) and stolen once. I am not sure he'd get another one since moving to a city.

Sigh 🙄

You get us stats on the percentage of 16 year olds using stairs that are killed doing so; versus the percentage of 16 year old moped drivers killed whilst doing so.

Then I’ll explain it to you. ( if you still need it explained)

Consider that the number 1 killer of teenage women, is teenage men driving. Men only avoid that statistic because suicide is #1.

Being logical and callous about it, if someone's enough of an idiot to crash a moped/125, they're enough of an idiot to crash a car. At least on the bike though it's only one person.

My half penny's worth is if you love your son don't let him, for the sake of a year or two, I have just taken it that I will be a taxi if beyond cycling distance.

I come from being an ex biker smidsy doesn't cut it when riding down a straight road late at night and the car pulls across in front of you, I have to live with a paralysed arm in constant pain since the accident. Out of the 20 or thirty of us that used to ride regularly there has been one death but that could have been predicted two broken legs one broken ankle 2 broken arm and broken wrist and me paralysed arm. This was over a 4/5 year period between 16 and early 20's

They are great fun and allow for independence that most kids don't have the opportunity off, but I think the standard of other drivers on the road is not good enough. I'm currently in battle with my 12 year old about getting a motor bike already, on this I'm not backing down.

We need better public transport rather than having to rely on car ownership but that is another problem for another day.

He would have to ride through Halifax where there are plenty of idiot drivers.

This would be the clincher for me. Horrible traffic system, fast roads + aggressive idiots. Moped (to me) would feel quite vulnerable at a few spots around there.

My neighbour got a moped when we were 16, he hit a Jag head on within a couple of months, several months hsopital and he still limps. He was lucky. Another friend got a motorbike but failed to see some poorly lit road works at night, he lived but his girlfiend didn't and he still limps. Another friend got a motorbike, he killed his girlfriend and still limps too (mentally and physically). I got a car instead.

Junior had/has a push bike and if ever he needs transport other than trains I lend him a car.

The deal was that I'd drive him anywhere he needed to go beyond walking range at any time, and pay for driving lessons and a car.

In the interests of balance for the discussion, I, and none of my biking friends/acquiantances have died or been seriously injured, In over 30 years of motorcycling. We are all still hale, hearty and alive.

Have we had minor falls and scrapes, yes. But weve also had minor scrapes etc and the like in cars too.

Does he want a moped or a MOPED!!!? The latter being the culture associated with having wheels, doing wheelies, hanging out, disappearing in the middle of the night. My 16yo nephew went the latter. He hasn't killed himself (yet), but has had a few unfortunate "punctures" to prevent him exerting his full independence. He's lost the ignition key now so is grounded. All I will say is that 16yo boys can earn a lot at Ikea and do not always spend it wisely.

I wouldn't. E-bike instead. Which according to food deliveries is basically an electric moped from what I see.

My lad (now 21) has had a cheap Chinese 50cc (Pulse Scout) since he was 16.
No incidents on it, he’s in Uni in Sheffield and it gets up the hills there ok.

You need to be pretty handy with the spanners though if you get a cheap one.

Out of the 20 or thirty of us that used to ride regularly there has been one death but that could have been predicted two broken legs one broken ankle 2 broken arm and broken wrist and me paralysed arm. This was over a 4/5 year period between 16 and early 20’s

One amputated leg, one leg with lots of metalwork and weeks in hospital, broken wrists galore, broken thumbs galore, broken ribs, broken collarbones, ruptured spleen, separated shoulders, many soft tissue injuries and smaller dislocations, concussions, whiplash... A bunch of grown, mainly middle-aged men riding bikes in the woods. 😀

But, yes, all the motor bikers I knew years ago tended to tell me about deaths and injuries.

When I say he’s Ok on two wheels, that’s bicycle control off-road, he/we try and cycle off road to get away from traffic.

That's your starting point then, isn't it. You can replace the word "moped" with "bicycle" throughout your OP, is he safe to cycle on the roads? Get him to that point, then worry about an engine.

In the interests of balance for the discussion, I, and none of my biking friends/acquiantances have died or been seriously injured, In over 30 years of motorcycling. We are all still hale, hearty and alive.

Have we had minor falls and scrapes, yes. But weve also had minor scrapes etc and the like in cars too.

+1

My only visits to hospital are for the birth of my 3 sons AND into A&E and theatre due to MTBing...

I had a moped (Yamaha DT50) at 16 - I'm now 31.
Has a CG125 at 17 also.
And then had multiple bikes since and commuted year round.

So I don't personally see the issue, unless you (or your son in this case) can't be sensible.
And if he can't then you can't restrict any risk his whole life.
A year later he'll likely be in a 1ton+ car that will likely do 100mph, and a year on a moped first will make him an infinitely better driver with much higher road awareness!

It grates me immensely when people brand motorbikes as dangerous, they require a different driving style to tanking around in a car. But that soon becomes second nature.

I personally think the 30mph limit is absurd, its more dangerous than keeping with the flow of traffic. Remember its 30 Vmax, so that's best case scenario - unlikely to hold it along the flat.

Youd be going faster on a road cycle bike down a lot of hills but you'd have a flimsy yepmet and lycra instead of decent gear.

I can remember my excitement at having my own independence and motor transport, it was great!

Maybe an older, pre 77 moped? Real mopeds with pedals. My Gilera did a good 50, chin on the tank. No 30mph restriction in those days. Or something easy to hop up a touhc? Naughty of course. My S plated (is that 98?) Derbi Senda was good for 50 once I knocked the waher in the end of the silencer out. Fast enough to win classes at Welsh enduros.

It grates me immensely when people brand motorbikes as dangerous,

I think those are US stats but European ones are similar.

And stats also show horse riding and skiing to be more dangerous than motorcycling, either of which are regarded as particularly dangerous past times.

Thats a scary looking chart.

I think what needs considering is the majority of motorcycle riders do not regularly ride and do very low miles a year. (A huge amount but the bikes away over winter).
And also every ride is a 'fun ride', the bikes are peoples toys, this obviously skews the statistics hugely.
People pull the bikes out in summer again and aren't familiar and a huge spike in accidents occur on the next sunny Sunday mornings of people getting carried away and riding beyond how capable they are.

Compare this to the majority of car drivers who see the car as a tool and use then daily, all year round. No thrill associated, no excitement. Just a tool to plod to work and back.

I agree they can be dangerous - but so can cycling, but we don't all post charts putting people off of that and telling them not to do it because they might fall off and hurt themselves?

In many respects, a 50cc is a good introduction to road safety... it'll act as a headstart when it comes to driving lessons for a car, or indeed a full size motorcycle;

Rather than an all out moped, I had a DT50, so basically a fully functioning motorbike with clutch and gears, albeit with a puny engine (at least until it was derestricted)

I'd ride that thing in any weather... granted, I did come off a few times, but aside from a bent gear shifter, a couple of grazes and most important, hurt pride, it was never too horrific.

It was however, fairly essential; at the time I lived in the back of beyond, 15+ miles from most of my mates and the accompanying social life.

Related to my previous post;

Motorcyclists had a casualty rate of 6,043 casualties per billion miles travelled, compared to 238 for the occupants of a car, and 62 for the occupants of a van. Bicycle riders were the next most vulnerable at 5,604 casualties per billion miles travelled, followed by pedestrians at 1,801 casualties per billion miles.

Taken from - https://www.bikelawyer.co.uk/site/case-studies/bike-accident-statistics/

In summary - things in life can be dangerous, and the risk needs managing.

I think those are US stats but European ones are similar.

is that the place where the maniacs largely don’t have to wear helmets and when they do they are often notional…

Yes I could see how that chart would be accurate to the USA

things in life can be dangerous, and the risk needs managing.

Absolutely.

The stats are one thing but then you take into account persoanl factors. In the case of the OP his son is not only about to get into something dangerous but at an age when it's most dangerous.

The distance thing is a good point and comparisons with things like skiing and horse riding valid, I do both. If you do the average lifetime mileage people do in a car on a motor bike there's rough a one in nine chance you get killed. But people don't, they do a fraction of those miles.

Junior did ski cross to a high level (winner of the coupe de France in U16), the risks were abundantly apparent to me, him and everyone around. The risks on a motorbike are comparable but it's an everyday activity, it's a risk reward thing. I'm happy to take a risk doing something I enjoy from time to time but taking the same level of risk every day just to get around the place when there are safer alternatives - I can't justify it.

The risks on a motorbike are comparable but it’s an everyday activity, it’s a risk reward thing. I’m happy to take a risk doing something I enjoy from time to time but taking the same level of risk every day just to get around the place when there are safer alternatives – I can’t justify it.

I, and I expect a lot of bikers, don’t ride just to get around the place I do it because I enjoy it, and getting from place place at the same time is a happy bonus. If I don’t fancy it I don’t ride. Horses for courses innit (I would never go near a horse they’re too dangerous (and skiing sucks and hurts when you crash))

Enjoy your riding, Kilo.

While I was responsible for junior he didn't have a bike. By the time he was 18 he had a car license - if at 24 he now pays for his own lessons and buys a bike I'll say nothing beyond "anticipate, take care", but he hasn't. The sadness that mopeds/bikes brought to my young life meant that while I was the one making the decisions it was no bike. I tried a bike in my mid 20s, you could ride on a car license back then, I didn't feel at ease on it, strange for someone happy to do 100mph on cut slicks along jumpy strips of wet muddy tarmac between stone walls on the Circuit of Ireland rally.

The headline figures don't mean much. Round here I've not heard of many injuries through moped riding. (I've and S6 registration class who happily revel in the misfortune of others). Many more crashes of old fat men in leathers who's speed outdoes their skill and they litter the countryside with Japanese components and their own body parts

The distance thing is a good point and comparisons with things like skiing and horse riding valid, I do both. If you do the average lifetime mileage people do in a car on a motor bike there’s rough a one in nine chance you get killed. But people don’t, they do a fraction of those miles.

One of the reasons the stats are so high is because like skiing & horse riding most riders don't do high mileages and consequentially they're 'under-trained' when stuff goes iffy.

I use to commute every day, all weathers into Central London (+80 miles per day) - it was scary on warm summer days, especially Fridays watching the Rossi-replica's on their one day that week/month wobbling through traffic.

Round these parts (semi-rural, but not quite, Sweden) having a moped is a right of passage. If you live out in the country and need to get to town or to school, then a moped gives you that ability. You can get to football or whatever without your parents' help and that is a big thing.

One of the local kids is trying for his moped license and is doing just about all the odd jobs around the village to pay for that and his new moped. I feel bad getting him to wash the car and dig flower beds, but he's keen and is using it to advance himself, so it works for him.

Anyway, I would say to go for it. We did have a Honda Zoomer (which are awesome!) but perma-loaned it to our neighbours when we both bought larger bikes. Buying decent kit will keep you dry and safe(er) and it might be worth getting someone to help him learn both mopeds and riding them. It's different from a bike.

My parents got me a moped when I turned 16 - living out in the sticks it saved them a lot of time running the parental taxi service. I crashed it a few times on the daily commute to school in town, but nothing worse than a broken wrist (not ideal just before Maths A-level...).

Pretty soon I got a Honda CB125, then passed my tests and had a few more "proper" bikes until I eventually got a Caterham which rendered motorbike riding a bit pointless 🙂

The thing that made the biggest difference to my riding safety was getting hold of a copy of the motorcycle version of Roadcraft. I would recommend this to any teenager setting out to ride motorbikes, and it's an easy sell: "Read this and learn to ride as well as a professional police motorcyclist".

I wish I'd been given a copy with my moped instead of buying a copy a couple of years later.

[edit]
On reflection, a lot of the stuff in Roadcraft also applies to riding bicycles on the road. Defensive riding principles apply regardless of whether or not you have an engine.

Both my lads had 50cc mopeds and geared bike, taught them about riding on the road and riding in traffic, the eldest went on to a 125 and them passed his test, he's just sold his Husquvarna 300.

They both learned to ride off road, where they could be as reckless as they liked, I think that helped with their approach on the road. They weren't racing about taking risks (or at least from what I saw)

Personal opinion is that it made both of them a better car driver, passing their tests first time and also alot more aware of cyclists and motor bikes.

The big question is would you rather him on a moped or a push bike?

I rode bikes from an early age and had a 125 at 17, didn't want a moped or a 50 though. Riden and raced bikes all my life, lost some good friends on and off the track.
Tough decision, only you can make.

I rode motorbikes from16 to 50ish

the only injuries I received were on my moped.  Broken collarbone that unfortunately was down to poor road positioning ( I went off the edge of the road on an A road trying to keep out of the way of the traffic) and a contributing factor was the low speed meaning I was riding on the edge of the road to keep out of the way of cars

The other was a misjudgement on a corner but riding in trainers meant a nasty gash and bony injury to my ankle

What i would take from that is:

Proper protective kit reduces injury.  Halfway decent boots would have prevented the ankle injury.  Training on road positioning would have helped avoid the first one and maybe the second one as well would have been avoided by training

Mopeds are inherently less safe than a small motorcycle / 125 scooter as the slow speed on A roads leads to lots of cars overtaking you.

Proper training not just CBT and decent protective kit which costs but you don't need full alpinstars power ranger leathers but army boots, decent leather gloves and trousers / jacket with body armour.  Boots are the most important ( most likely part of the body to be injures followed by hands)

Never had an injury and only a couple of very minor accidents after that

My sister's best friend at school got killed on a scooter. She was waiting at a junction and truck rolled right over her. I'd have had a scooter/motorbike in a heart beat when I was a teen but my sister pleaded with me not to. I'm bad enough without a motor on two wheels so probably for the best.

On my work experience with Solihull Borough council, a red stripe on a tree at the side of the road (just outside the Land Rover factory). Was caused by a motorbiker's helmet as he fatally struck it.

Also every motorbiker I've ever asked has come off their bikes and often was not due to their speed or dangerous riding.

I'd not let my kids get one.

Few admit but these days most motorcycle accidents are single vehicle crashes on country roads.  The motorcycling equivalent of the MAMIl / allthe gear no idea

Teen passenger fell off the back of a moped 🏍️ in our road years ago and wasn’t wearing a helmet. This was when my two were interested in one. It didn’t end well and they were soon out off. Teens can be silly, and the repercussions can, on occasion, be very severe 😕