116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
New Iowa City business offers moped rentals
A new kiosk in the Old Capitol Mall in Iowa City is turning some heads. It's called MopedU, and the goal is to get students out of their cars and onto a moped this spring.
“The parking and gas are the main things,” said Joshua Bass, co-owner of the business. “If you have a car and you forget to pay the meter, you're going to pay a parking ticket.”
Bryan Ilg and Josh Bass started the business, which rents moped scooters to students, after they themselves grew sick of paying for metered parking in Iowa City.
“I graduated, and he is about to,” said Bass.
“Paying the meters and paying the parking tickets really adds up,” said Ilg. “You may end up paying over $100 a month in those fees, when you can get this (moped) for 89 bucks a month.”
The young business owners say that price is also what makes the business appealing. MopedU will rent out a moped for under $300 per semester. They also cater to short term needs, offering weekly or daily rentals for under $40.
More information about the business is available on their website at
Joshua Bass (left), 'The Dean,' and Bryan Ilg (right), 'The Head Coach,' of MopedU stand with a moped at their kiosk in the Old Capitol Town Center, 201 South Clinton Street, Iowa City, on Tuesday afternoon, January 25, 2011. The two have started a business that rents mopeds on a monthly basis to college students or others who want a moped to cruise around Iowa City on, but don't want to buy one. (Matt Nelson/The Gazette)
Daily Newsletters