Motorized Bicycle Engine Kit Forum - Laws and Legislation http://motorbicycling.com Share you knowledge of the laws pertaining to your state on motorized bicycling in this forum en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:09:14 GMT vBulletin 60 http://motorbicycling.com/images/styles/silverblue/misc/rss.jpg Motorized Bicycle Engine Kit Forum - Laws and Legislation http://motorbicycling.com Maine Motorized Bicycle Laws... sorta... http://motorbicycling.com/f17/maine-motorized-bicycle-laws-sorta-12886.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:57:22 GMT The laws in Maine regarding motorized bicycles are somewhat vague at best: Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles They used to actually have a specific entry for motorized bicycles - the usual parameters regarding such things, but it disappeared last month or so. I've heard some rumors (good ones) but they're just rumors ofc.

Currently the way the site is written you may at first mistake the scooter entry for what yer lookin' for - but obv that doesn't work with the "Each wheel (not tire) is less than 10" in diameter" let alone the engine size restriction. The only remaining entry referencing motorized bikes is this byline in scooters: "Can be used on a public way like a motorized bicycle or tricycle"

I have chosen to interpret that (with the info that used to be there) as MB's are legal if they stay under 20mph (pfft sure lol), have 3 wheels or less, and while you don't need registration or insurance you do need a operator's license (any sort) to have 'em on the road.

Please note this is an interpretation on my part and also that it includes information no longer available on that site. While I did get pulled over and the officer "checked it out" and had no further problems with me - I'd still make a few calls to see if you can't get some better info. Remember to make a coupla calls tho as you'll very likely get vastly different answers every time.

The regulations that used to be there and most likely still apply;

Quote:
A motorized bicycle/tricycle is a vehicle that has a motor attached to a wheel and is no more than 1.5 brake horsepower and has a cylinder capacity* capable of propelling the vehicle unassisted at a speed of 25 m.p.h. or less on a level road surface. A motorized bicycle/tricycle may have foot pedals**.

* An operator's license or a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle or moped endorsement or restriction is required.
* Registration is not required.
* The operator of a motorized bicycle/tricycle must ride to the right, except when making a left turn.
* The vehicle may not be operated in excess of 20 m.p.h***.
* An operator may not ride other than astride a regular and permanently attached seat.
* May not be used to carry more persons than the number for which it is designed.
* A person may not attach the vehicle to a moving vehicle on a public way.
* Operator may travel on a paved shoulder.
* A municipality may make other provisions for the location of motorized bicycle/tricycle traffic.
* Operator of a motorized bicycle/tricycle must obey all other traffic laws.
The "*" is me btw and this is why;
*note that here no maximum displacement is mandated beyond "capability"...
**note that a motorized bicycle may have pedals... so this means "may not" as well?
***may not be operated in excess of 20mph, which ofc is different than the "capable of 25mph or less" stated earlier. ]]> Laws and Legislation BarelyAWake http://motorbicycling.com/f17/maine-motorized-bicycle-laws-sorta-12886.html Florida Department Of Transportation http://motorbicycling.com/f17/florida-department-transportation-12700.html Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:51:36 GMT Originally Posted by turtle tedd It would be nice if the name of this thread could be changed....or another thread started..something like motorbike laws in Florida....I am getting tired of seeing the words...Florida Stinks Bike Laws (1) (http://www.dot.state.fl.us/Safety/ped_bike/laws/ped_bike_bikeLaws1.shtm) I am a Florida native of Pensacola for more then 20yrs and miss it dearly, sugar white sand, tan long legs and drinks with funny names, what else could a guy ask for? Originally Posted by turtle tedd
It would be nice if the name of this thread could be changed....or another thread started..something like motorbike laws in Florida....I am getting tired of seeing the words...Florida Stinks


Bike Laws (1)

I am a Florida native of Pensacola for more then 20yrs and miss it dearly, sugar white sand, tan long legs and drinks with funny names, what else could a guy ask for? ]]> Laws and Legislation Pappy http://motorbicycling.com/f17/florida-department-transportation-12700.html Texas Laws?? Apparently None LOL http://motorbicycling.com/f17/texas-laws-apparently-none-lol-12691.html Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:18:46 GMT So I was just wondering if anyone knows the laws for MB in Texas?? I've already passed 2 cops in their mustangs clockin people on not so busy roads going about 37 and they jus do nothing. xct2 I GUESS its a good thing that i haven't been hasseled. but jus wonderin LOL ]]> Laws and Legislation longhorn6 http://motorbicycling.com/f17/texas-laws-apparently-none-lol-12691.html Contact Illinois Senator To Comment On SB0236 http://motorbicycling.com/f17/contact-illinois-senator-comment-sb0236-12674.html Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:33:28 GMT PLease write an e-mail to illinoisdistrict7@gmail.com to comment on the new law SB0236 covering motorized bicycles in Illinois. State that 1 hp is too low for gas engines and does not cover 49cc 4 stroke engine kits. The law should be revised to about 2 hp. One hp only covers about 23-25cc. PLease write an e-mail to illinoisdistrict7@gmail.com to comment on the new law SB0236 covering motorized bicycles in Illinois. State that 1 hp is too low for gas engines and does not cover 49cc 4 stroke engine kits. The law should be revised to about 2 hp. One hp only covers about 23-25cc. ]]> Laws and Legislation Mike S http://motorbicycling.com/f17/contact-illinois-senator-comment-sb0236-12674.html CA Laws http://motorbicycling.com/f17/ca-laws-12640.html Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:39:55 GMT I know that this same question is probably out there some where, but maybe we can make this new thread more understandable for us all about the CA Laws for having a Gas Powered Bike.


I have a 66cc(80cc) Gas Powered Motor mounted on a Mountain Bike, here is my story. If there are any questions, please ask.


I've been stopped by Police Officers 4 times in this small town(Quincy, CA) that I live in(2 CHP, 2 Sheriffs).

The first stop(9/15/2009) was a CHP that notified me that I needed a rear light on the back, he also let me know of some other rules that I should follow for having a motor on the Bike, everything turned out good and he clearly stated that I was legal for Highway use.

The second stop(9/15/2009) was 20 minutes later by a Sheriff Officer doing his normal check abouts, he also clearly stated I was legal for on road use.

The third stop(10/21/2009) was by a different Sheriff Officer who just wanted to check out what the Mountain Bike had, he said I was good for on road use.

The forth stop was today(11/1/2009) by a CHP Officer, who probably woke up on the wrong side of the bed while him wife was in the next room with his friend. For a small town that I live in I could tell that he was new here(city cops) and didn't understand the ways of how things are here(they get bored and nick pick things). This Officer claimed that he "Thinks" that the Mountain Bike is classified as a Dirt Bike, and that it is not tended for Highway or on road use.

I'm just wondering why 3 Officers of California say that the Bike is fine and that I should have no worries, but then have this 4th Officer come along and start pulling crap out of his... well you know.

I guess for those of you reading this, the town I live in is small, up in the Northern California area, I mean, we are in the Mountains. The 2 closest cities are 80 miles to the East & West of us off of Highway 70. What I'm trying to get at is, what is legal and what is not legal. What to do when 1 Officer says something vs something that another Officer says.


.wee. ]]> Laws and Legislation Rockwells http://motorbicycling.com/f17/ca-laws-12640.html South Dakota seems pretty lenient http://motorbicycling.com/f17/south-dakota-seems-pretty-lenient-12637.html Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:37:25 GMT I've been riding my bike around town for about two months now and as far as I can tell I'm the only one around with one. That will probably change soon enough because at least once a day somebody stops me and asks me all about it and I gladly tell them where to get one and what the first cop that stopped me said, which was that was as long as it's under 49cc (it's not) and couldn't go more than 35 mph (don't know no speedometer) it was a moped and didn't need to be licensed but the driver needed a plain old regular drivers license (don't have but bs'd my way out of that), he then asked me all about it and I thought he was going to ask me if he could take it for a spin but he didn't and we went our separate ways. Last week however there was a cop posted down at a four way stop waiting to catch people running the sign when I come zippin by. I stopped at the sign and made it look like it was a chore for me to get goin again with the pedals but he stopped me anyway and told me that I had to put lights and mirrors on it for it to be legal. Threatened to write me a handful of tickets blah blah blah, I stopped listening after he said I needed lights. I told him that I had lights on it but they kept vibrating off he said that was my problem handful of tickets, blah blah blah. So long story long in South Dakota you can pretty much do whatever as long as people can see you doin it. Most cops around now know who I am and just wave. :)

usflg ]]> Laws and Legislation passivepsycho http://motorbicycling.com/f17/south-dakota-seems-pretty-lenient-12637.html 2-Tickets on my China Girl http://motorbicycling.com/f17/2-tickets-my-china-girl-12528.html Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:41:24 GMT I got pulled over today. As I was thinking about what to say to
the officer, he said," do not say anything and listen to what I am going
to say". The first thing he pointed out was the motor. Then he said I was
the driver. Then he pointed out that I was on a cycle. I said," it is a bicycle".
That is what I said , " a cycle". First ticket and charged with violation of
classification motor driver cycle. Second ticket and charged with imprper
operation of off road motorcycle on roadway. Ended up posting $75.00
cash bond. They sure no how to take the fun out of the bicycle. ]]> Laws and Legislation Charged-Reacter http://motorbicycling.com/f17/2-tickets-my-china-girl-12528.html Moving to TX, trade gas motor for elec? http://motorbicycling.com/f17/moving-tx-trade-gas-motor-elec-12524.html Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:21:48 GMT Moving to Houston area and my gas powered bike will not be street legal there.
I could try to register it as a moped, but then I couldn't use the bike lane?
It looks like I may trade my gas motor for electric before moving.
I want to commute to work in downtown Houston and do not want any hassles
with the law. Any advice is appreciated. ]]> Laws and Legislation wheelbender6 http://motorbicycling.com/f17/moving-tx-trade-gas-motor-elec-12524.html a cool cop story http://motorbicycling.com/f17/cool-cop-story-12358.html Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:55:25 GMT i was riding home yesterday, and a street by my house has a bike lane, a 25mph speed limit, and a 4-way stop every 2 or three blocks, for 3 miles or so. normally, i hate this street, because now that i have a motor, i always stop. then i gotta get going again.

anyway, i stop at the intersection, but still balancing on the pedals, then go across, and there's a motorcycle cop hiding out, and he sees me and pulls out.

i'm thinking, "great, i'm busted." and going through all the things in my head, like "yeah, it's a 49cc(it's not), it only goes 29mph (more like 39), i tried getting a license at the DMV (no i didn't)..."

you know, all those excuses you figure might work to get you out of a ticket.

he catches me at the next stop, and gives me the thumbs up.

we rode the next 2 miles pretty much side by side, and neither of us put our foot down at the stops.

before my left turn onto my street, i waved at him, raced ahead, hand signalled, turned, and took off.

he just waved back.

i can't believe how much LESS i get hassled on my bike, than when i'm in a car... ]]> Laws and Legislation bairdco http://motorbicycling.com/f17/cool-cop-story-12358.html