I am going to disagree with you about California laws on motor-bicycles. I have been so curious about this for a long time. We have a lot of riders in California nervous about the weird police state breeding fear around motorized bicycles. Another forum member brought this to my attention and please let me clarify. There are gray areas around motorized bicycle code in California, but if you carry a copy of VC406 with you, you should be OK w/out license, insurance, or registration up to 30mph!

VC24016:
(1) No person shall operate a motorized bicycle unless the person is wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet that meets the standards described in Section 21212.

(2) A person operating a motorized bicycle is subject to Sections 21200 and 21200.5{bicycling under the influence} .

(3) A person operating a motorized bicycle is not subject to the provisions of this code relating to financial responsibility, driver's licenses, registration, and license plate requirements, and a motorized bicycle is not a motor vehicle.

(4) A motorized bicycle shall only be operated by a person 16 years of age or older.

Here are links of importance for yall's reading enjoyment.
V.C. Section 406 - Motorized Bicycle
and...
V.C. Section 4020 - Motorized Bicycles
and the best one...
V.C. Section 24016 - Motorized Bicycle Electric Motor: Safety and Equipment Requirements