The Real Deal on California Law.

yeah, i aced that. i only had to do half of it, like 20 questions.

now that i'm all set up, i'm gonna go cruise around Newport Beach.

ain't gonna let the Man get me down...

i was going down Newport Blvd in Costa Mesa yesterday, with a tailwind, in the middle lane because i was passing someone who was turning right, i was probably doing 45, and there was a cop in a cruiser at the side radar-ing people.

he just stared at me, and i didn't even slow down. figured if i was gonna get busted, i was gonna make it worthwhile, but he never came after me.

i got my ticket in Newport beach doing 28, just cruising. as i've stated, the cops around here on on the look-out for us, not to stop us from riding, but to get us legal.

i still don't have a headlight, horn, or mirror, but i've got the license, plate and helmet. all the other crap is just fix-it tickets anyway, so i ain't worried anymore.

it's really easy to get legal, so why put it off? just takes a little time at the DMV, a few bucks, and you're ready to go.

i can't wait to get pulled over again, and bust out all my paperwork.

Have a nice day, officer...

i got pulled over again today, by the same cop.

i was at Newport and 17th, in the left turn lane, and he was across the street. it's actually the cut-off of Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, and i was on the Costa Mesa side when he got me (he's a NB cop.)

I was riding my new bike, and i'm waiting on the plate for it. it only has a mirror, and no lights.

luckily, i had my M1 permit and a copy of the registration form (and my check) that i sent in, and a DOT helmet, so we just chatted awhile, and he let me go.

told me if i didn't have the registration form on me, he woulda impounded the bike.

he says i should look into insuring it, but so far, i haven't found anyone who will. what do people with whizzers do?

i found a guy in Tustin that will insure our bikes. my quote was $300 a year for liability.

i'm also going to see my current insurance guy later today, he said he might be able to do it, so i'll let you know.

basically, it's the same deal as a whizzer

sounds a little pricey, but it's better than getting your bike impounded, or y'know, if you ever run into a bus load of children and your bike explodes and they all die, at least yer covered...

there is no 50cc restriction. i dunno where that came from, and neither did the cop that busted me. urban legend, i guess.

it's gotta be under 149cc's. anything over that is considered a motorcycle.

2 strokes are allowed, it's just importing them that's the problem. it has to do with CARB, the California Air Resource Board. that's why no one will ship here.

my quote includes a couple of, uh, indescretions, so if you have a good record, it might be cheaper, but basically the insurance is the same as if it was a motorcycle.

didja ever look up the definition of "register?"

reg·is·ter (rj-str)
n.
1.
a. A formal or official recording of items, names, or actions.

or, when you type in "motorize vehicle registration" into the DMV search to find the registration form, it says:

"This form is used to apply for original registration, transfer, duplicates, and substitutes for motorized bicycles (mopeds).

and if you look on my paperwork, it names me as "the registered owner."

you don't have to pay an "annual fee," but you still need to register it.

on the same page you found section 4020, here's this:

4001. All vehicles exempt from the payment of registration fees shall be registered as otherwise required by this code by the person having custody thereof, and he shall display upon the vehicle a license plate bearing distinguishing marks or symbols, which shall be furnished by the department free of charge.

anyways...

i called progressive,esurance, and a few other major players in the insurance racket, and they all asked if the bicycle manufacturer also manufactured the engine (no,) and did i buy the bicycle with the motor already installed (no,) and a few other things that i had to answer "no" to.

all of them denied me, saying that my bike didn't meet their definition of "moped."

i coulda lied, but if i was getting sued or filing a claim, it'd be pretty easy for them to find out that Colson didn't make a chinese bicycle motor in the 1930's.

the guy i went to was recommended to me by HB Scooters in Huntington Beach as their guy who registers the Whizzers they sell.

(edit) also, the cop gave me a "cheat sheet" they use so we can't weasel out of tickets, and on it it states: "16028(a) Financial responsibility required."

which is the basic "furnishing proof upon request" law when you get pulled over.

just got my ticket info in the mail.

$394 for not having a DOT helmet.

yikes.

the cop knew it was a 2 stroke and while we were talking, i asked him about engine size. that's when he told me the "under 50cc" myth didn't matter. section 406a is for 2 or 4 stroke, up to 110cc's. after that it's considered a motorcycle.

a DOT helmet is a motorcycle with a DOT sticker or tag on it.

i was wearing a pro-tec skateboard helmet when i got pulled over. bicycle helmets are allowed if your bike's electric, but if it's motorized, you need a real motorcycle helmet. you can get small half-shell ones. the helmet i have is actually more comfortable than my pro-tec, and it's about the same as far as being bulky.

i just spent a while all over the DMV website looking up insurance, and the only thing i could find was the disclosure that dealers are supposed to include with each sale :

"YOUR INSURANCE POLICIES MAY NOT PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR ACCIDENTS INVOLVING THE USE OF THIS BICYCLE. TO DETERMINE IF COVERAGE IS PROVIDED YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY OR AGENT."

it doesn't say anywhere that we need insurance, nor does it say we don't. the cop that stopped me (twice) said that was all he found on it too, but he still thinks we need insurance.

my advice? do what ever you want. take your own chances. i'm not telling anyone what to do, just what i've been told, and what i've learned.

wanna be all anarchy about it with no helmet or registration? knock yourself out. i don't care anymore.

i'm sick of arguing about what we need and what we don't. sooner or later (probably sooner) the "Man" will have it all figured out, and come to collect. when that day comes, i'll be legally riding passed the cop with your bike in his trunk...

here's a copy of the "cheat sheet" the cop gave me (notice how it's wrong anyway. it says "w/o pedals"):

bluesjr, you got 406a and 406b confused. 406a is gas motor, 406b is electric. from the same page:

Motorcycles, Motor-Driven Cycles, Motorized Bicycles/Mopeds (Section 406(a) VC ) - A helmet meeting Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218, self-certified by the manufacturer and displaying a 'DOT' emblem must be worn by all riders of motocycles, motor-driven cycles, and motorized bicycles/mopends.