MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) – After receiving a letter from a Myrtle Beach resident, city officials wanted to share with the public that State lawmakers set moped regulations, not the city. Local government is, however, taking steps to ensure moped-related businesses are complying with state laws.

According to the Myrtle Beach City Government Facebook page, a Myrtle Beach community member recently wrote a letter-to-the-editor asking the “city’s elected officials to consider restricting how and where mopeds may be operated on public streets.” The writer noted that most local jurisdictions have implemented an “umbrellas only” rule on the beach for at least part of the year and drew a parallel with moped regulations.

However, state law, not city or county law, governs mopeds and their use on public roads, as stated on the city’s government page. The Facebook page admin notes that Section 56 of the South Carolina Code of Laws clarifies the moped regulations issue.

Per state law, a moped is defined as having an engine of no more than 50 cc which produces no more than two brake horsepower. The engine should not be capable of propelling the vehicle at a speed in excess of 30 miles per hour on level ground, as noted on the social media platform.

State law sets the top speed limit for a moped at 25 miles per hour. Further, the state allows mopeds to travel on any road, except limited-access highways with a posted minimum speed limit higher than the moped’s 25 m.p.h. maximum.

Violations are misdemeanors, subject to fines of up to $200 and/or 30 days in jail upon conviction.

The City of Myrtle Beach is, however, researching steps it can take to ensure moped-related businesses are in compliance with state law regarding mopeds’ maximum speed and engine size. In other words, if it doesn’t meet the state definition, it can’t be operated, according to the government page.

But to request changes to the state law that governs mopeds — their speed, the roads they can use and how they can be driven — interested residents should contact their House and Senate representatives in the General Assembly, city officials advise.