The 2012 California law thread

MitchP said:

Hey I thought it would be a good idea to compile the most current knowledge about moped/motorized bike/ scooter laws into one thread.

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CARB regulations; do I really need a 4-stroke?

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No, you really don't need a 4 stroke.

The DMV; can I register a non-CARB approved mothor?

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DMV has nothing to do with enforcing CARB regs.
Download the form reg 230 and you will see what the DMV
asks on it.

Is an M1 or M2 license required/recommended?

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M2 is required and an M1 covers all 2 wheeled vehicles
Need to wear a DOT helmet too.

Are such bike able to ridden in the bike lane?

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You are supposed to ride in bike lanes by the side of the road.

Gray area? will one officer treat the bike differently?

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There is no grey area. CA motorized bicycle law has been the same
since the late 70's. However many cops, DMV drones, etc do not
know the laws.

Lights and signals? Are they required?

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Lights, horn, left side mirror. Maybe signals but you can use hand signals.

If you had of searched you would have found the answers to all your questions and more.

http://motorbicycling.com/showthread.php?t=15268

The topic of CA motorized bicycle laws has been beaten to death.
Nothing has changed, & there's really no need to keep making this more confusing for people than it already is.

Get the DMV license plate for the bike for $19.
Install good bicycle lights. (If you're riding at night).
Wear a DOT helmet.
Get a M1 or M2 drivers license.
There are Nazi CA cities that also want you to have a brake light, turn signals, a mirror & a horn... these are easily purchased on eBay for bicycles.

If you do these things, you are good to ride your bike anywhere in CA.

MitchP said:

Hey I thought it would be a good idea to compile the most current knowledge about moped/motorized bike/ scooter laws into one thread.

Some topics to cover are:

CARB regulations; do I really need a 4-stroke?

The DMV; can I register a non-CARB approved motor?

Is an M1 or M2 license required/recommended?

Are such bike able to ridden in the bike lane?

Gray area? will one officer treat the bike differently?

Lights and signals? Are they required?

Click to expand...

I want to know why the California VC Section 24015 says a Motorized Bicycle must comply with "15 U.S.C., Sec. 1381, et seq."? That law was repealed and recodified in 1994 as "Title 49 U.S. Code, Chapter 301 Motor Vehicle Safety". That code makes no reference to Motorized Bikes or Motorcycles. It only applies to cars.

http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/standards/chapt301.html

V C Section 24015 Motorized Bicycle Safety and Equipment Requirements
Motorized Bicycle: Safety and Equipment Requirements

24015. (a) Motorized bicycles shall comply with those federal motor vehicle safety standards established under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 (15 U.S.C., Sec. 1381, et seq.) which are applicable to a motor-driven cycle, as that term is defined in such federal standards. Such standards include, but are not limited to, provisions requiring a headlamp, taillamp, stoplamp, side and rear reflex reflectors, and adequate brakes.