If you live in CA--here is the relevant section of the California Vehicle Code (sec 24016). Look at (3) below, it clearly says "not a motor vehicle". However, there are limits on motor sizes and speed (30mph max).I don't get how you don' t think that that 2stroke or 4 stroke engine between your legs or slightly in front or behind you does not count as a motorized vehicle.
If we are running on engine power , yes we are a motorized vehicle, peddling and sweating your balls off , then no.
If you have to run engine power why not take the roads ?
I just think it wont take much of some guy bombing along on a bike or pleasure path to rack up a pile of complaints or cause a injury to force the government to look at us as real motorized vehicles(ie insurance). I personally see little difference in it being a 4 stroke or a 2 , regardless its a motor.
Oh I see, I reread your post, so basically in your state your 4stoke bike falls under the same laws as the low powered scooter things that really overweight people use to move around wall mart?
Regardless I think its in really poor taste to run a motor in a non motorized path. But I guess I don't live where you live so carry on, hope ya don't hurt someone .
24016. (a) A motorized bicycle described in subdivision (b) of
Section 406 shall meet the following criteria:
(1) Comply with the equipment and manufacturing requirements for
bicycles adopted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (16 C.F.R.
1512.1, et seq.) or the requirements adopted by the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (49 C.F.R. 571.1, et seq.) in
accordance with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of
1966 (15 U.S.C. Sec. 1381, et seq.) for motor driven cycles.
(2) Operate in a manner so that the electric motor is disengaged
or ceases to function when the brakes are applied, or operate in a
manner such that the motor is engaged through a switch or mechanism
that, when released, will cause the electric motor to disengage or
cease to function.
(b) All of the following apply to a motorized bicycle described in
subdivision (b) of Section 406:
(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.
(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.
(5) Every manufacturer of a motorized bicycle shall certify that
it complies with the equipment and manufacturing requirements for
bicycles adopted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (16 C.F.R.
1512.1, et seq.).
No person shall tamper with or modify a motorized bicycle
described in subdivision (b) of Section 406 so as to increase the
speed capability of the bicycle.
Note: local city ordinances may differ