Reimported Simson mopeds are now also allowed to travel at 60 km/h

Reimported Simson mopeds are now also allowed to chug through Saxony at speeds of up to 60 km/h. The government in Dresden has implemented a decree to this effect, according to Infrastructure Minister Regina Kraushaar (CDU). The federal government had paved the way for this over the summer.

Accordingly, the special regulation applies to historic vehicles—that is, those produced in the GDR—that were put into service by February 1992 and are being reimported from abroad. The state legislatures in Thuringia and Brandenburg had also already addressed this issue.

It is inexplicable that other vehicles of the same design are limited to a maximum speed of 45 km/h, Kraushaar said. Especially since the technology in these vehicles—such as brakes and lighting—is much more up-to-date. “It’s incomprehensible to our moped enthusiasts that technically comparable mopeds are allowed to travel at different speeds simply because one is a historic vehicle,” said the Minister of State.

Demand: 60 km/h for all mopeds

Saxony also intends to advocate in the Bundesrat for two- and three-wheeled mopeds, as well as light four-wheeled mopeds, to be allowed to travel at speeds of up to 60 km/h in the future. When asked, the minister stated that she is optimistic about the prospects for this proposal’s success in the Bundesrat.

However, the Saxon initiative would have to be brought before and decided upon at the European level. This is because the 45 kilometers per hour speed limit is set for this European vehicle class. “Anyone who wants to change that has to go to Brussels, and we have to go through the federal government, then the Bundesrat, and finally the federal government,” explained Krausshaar. 

What the Simson Means

Tens of thousands of Simson mopeds still chug along the roads, especially in eastern Germany. According to various suppliers, the supply of replacement parts is secured for years to come. Many young people, especially in rural areas, ride these two-stroke mopeds—not only because of their history in the GDR and their design, but because they provide mobility.

The AfD also repeatedly raises the issue of Simson re-imports. The party is accused of exploiting the Simson cult—especially among young people in eastern Germany—for its own purposes.