Here are the differences I see in motorized bikes, bicycles and the law:
1. MB's (gas) make noise. There is not much you can do about noise other than turn it off. Some think they should be outlawed simply because of this. I have a robin-subaru 4 stroke that's very quiet and I still get complaints from people on bike lanes. I just point out the noisy cars that they share the road with. (P.S. don't cruse on sidewalks! It’s not safe for pedestrians or you when cars pull out in front of you.)
2. MB's have a higher average speed. I think this is more important to application of law and where people associate with moped/motorcycle. "Most" pedal only bikes don't average over 20mph and is why there is not a speed law for pedal only bikes. You can't sustain the speeds on "most" pedal only bicycles that you can on "most" MB's. The driver needs more experience/training at these higher average speeds and this is where some think a driver’s license should be required. The MB also needs to be of a higher quality to handle the higher average speeds. High end road bikes are expensive because they can handle these speeds. So should MB's. There are not many equipment requirements for pedal only bikes because "most" people are not going MB fast. "Most" MB's ARE going fast and is where some think registration, title, license and insurance should be required. You can’t get insurance on a MB that's not built safe.
I'm torn on this issue. I don't want to be regulated (I pride myself on safety) but I do want regulation if there a bunch of bozos that disregard safety. I'm lucky that MB's are not that popular where I live in Arizona and I’m free to be as safe and un-bothered bothered by cops. If I get a bunch of stupid people in town on MB's (and pedal only bikes too for that matter) then I would want to have the restrictions imposed. It would likely ruin my hobby. I would not register my bike and wouldn't ride to obey the law. It's a weird situation, MB's become popular because it's unregulated but the popularity causes law and makes it unpopular. I want it to be popular to share my experiences but don't want the regulation to destroy the fun of it.
1. MB's (gas) make noise. There is not much you can do about noise other than turn it off. Some think they should be outlawed simply because of this. I have a robin-subaru 4 stroke that's very quiet and I still get complaints from people on bike lanes. I just point out the noisy cars that they share the road with. (P.S. don't cruse on sidewalks! It’s not safe for pedestrians or you when cars pull out in front of you.)
2. MB's have a higher average speed. I think this is more important to application of law and where people associate with moped/motorcycle. "Most" pedal only bikes don't average over 20mph and is why there is not a speed law for pedal only bikes. You can't sustain the speeds on "most" pedal only bicycles that you can on "most" MB's. The driver needs more experience/training at these higher average speeds and this is where some think a driver’s license should be required. The MB also needs to be of a higher quality to handle the higher average speeds. High end road bikes are expensive because they can handle these speeds. So should MB's. There are not many equipment requirements for pedal only bikes because "most" people are not going MB fast. "Most" MB's ARE going fast and is where some think registration, title, license and insurance should be required. You can’t get insurance on a MB that's not built safe.
I'm torn on this issue. I don't want to be regulated (I pride myself on safety) but I do want regulation if there a bunch of bozos that disregard safety. I'm lucky that MB's are not that popular where I live in Arizona and I’m free to be as safe and un-bothered bothered by cops. If I get a bunch of stupid people in town on MB's (and pedal only bikes too for that matter) then I would want to have the restrictions imposed. It would likely ruin my hobby. I would not register my bike and wouldn't ride to obey the law. It's a weird situation, MB's become popular because it's unregulated but the popularity causes law and makes it unpopular. I want it to be popular to share my experiences but don't want the regulation to destroy the fun of it.
officer could easily deal with any errant MAB operator with a citation under that heading.