Moped rentals emerge as new option to get around Detroit

Look out for more mopeds zooming around Detroit, as a rental shop opens in Eastern Market.

What's happening: Motown Mopeds is offering day-long and half-day rentals from its mural-covered location at 1524 Winder St., owner Erin Guillen (no relation to Axios reporter Joe Guillen) tells Axios.

How it works: You can rent one of eight Wolf-brand, single-rider mopeds. They're 49cc, going up to 35 mph. As of this past Saturday, the shop is now open on weekends. It's going to seven days a week starting June 13.

• Important: Because these mopeds are under 50cc, you don’t need a special license to drive them.
• The cost is $60 for four hours, along with a $100 security deposit. Nine hours is $110, plus the same deposit.

The intrigue: Guillen, who has lived in Detroit since 2018, grew up in Manistee driving scooters and dirt bikes to friends’ houses.

• "I love the sense of freedom and exhilaration that came with all of those things," she said.

My thought bubble: I rode a Honda 250cc as my main mode of transit for a time and I completely agree with this sentiment.

Of note: Motown Mopeds is far from the only option for cruising on two wheels. Electric Ave. Bikes on Woodward in Midtown rents out electric-powered bicycles.

• Less expensive: MoGo stations have bicycles and e-bikes, and Wheelhouse Detroit rents out bicycles. Plus, there's the ever-present electric scooters.

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