New York laws

Humm... So.. Bicycles are illegal there? Wow !!! I mean.. If you hit your kill switch and then pedal, these are bicycles...

I'm so glad I moved out of NY a while ago. It has gotten so strict, the "Can do" list is very limited.

Well.. We can only hope that with the fuel prices and the requirement to conserve resources will prevail and they will make a quick change and allow state law to mirror federal law. We can only hope. I have heard that Canada passed a 3 year law trial run to allow motor assisted bicycles. Maybe NY will follow Canada.. Who knows? As for now, sounds like NYers are screwed. Sounds like NY is in the hip pocket of the oil Companies. That is just not cool at all.. I hope they come to their senses and make it the right thing to do, so you all in NY can Enjoy the ride....

I found this in NYS DMV - Frequently Asked Questions

Motor-assisted Bicycle - a bicycle to which a small motor is attached. A motor-assisted bicycle does not qualify for a registration as a motorcycle, moped or ATV and does not have the same equipment.

These devices are not allowed on any street, highway, parking lot, sidewalk or other area that allows public motor vehicle traffic. You are subject to arrest if you operate one of these motorized vehicles and do not have a registration, driver license, inspection, insurance or correct equipment. The DMV can not provide any information about operation of these devices on private property. Contact the local authorities and property owners.

Nice huh? we, the little guy, tries to find a way to get by and the Government closes us down. . . Typical

Please let me know of any success stories of getting the bike registered. I am conducting research that partially covers electric and gas powered bicycles. I believe that this is something that everyone should have the right to do.

Jason

NYS DMV - Vehicle Registration - Homemade or Unique Vehicles

Jump thru all the right hoops, put the right equipment on it, and get it registered as a homemade moped. Or get somebody from out of state to register it and "buy" it from them, then transfer the registration to NY.

Thanks for the information. So much for the quick and simple alternative to my car for daily transportation. I live and work on Long Island and can get most everywhere I need without the use of the highway. I thought I would try and do my part and cut my gas use down from the 18c/21hwy I get now. I could afford to modify my bicycle, but can not afford to get another car. I guess I will need to continue to be part of the problem instead of part of the solution.

I am in Lynbrook. Let me know if you get anywhere. I would love to be able to leave my car in the driveway more often, but it would take me two buses to get to work when it only takes me 15 minutes to drive it.

the path im using in kansas........have not done but made all the calls and seems to work...is you have to first get a state vin# issued......that does not make it legal and you may have to call several highway patrol offices to find one that will do it.....in kansas they all said no...then i found one that said "it wont make it legal but bring it down and we can issue a vin# and that will get you started on the process"

after vin# (i called progressive insurance and had to speak with a supervisor) but they said they can cover it liability only.....40 bucks per yr (that is were they nail you ..jail time no insurance"
after vin# and insurance...... you should be able to get it tagged.......if not driving with out a tag is not as bad as no insurance.......
i could be all wrong cause i just made phone calls yesterday but that seems to be the path.........gotta find a hi po office willing to assign a state vin number

Stuck in a quagmire of a war, back breaking national debt, the whole world hates our guts for the being the energy pigs that we are, and this is how our own government deals with the issues, by sticking it to a guy riding a bicycle? Is this a great country, or what?

Nitro
Wish you lived arround me. I'm in NY also but the Western end. Buffalo's suburbs are the worst in law enforcment. They make up there own laws here! I will appologize to anybody who's eye's I make bleed here but I am fully committed to giving DVM **** over this issue. I don't like being lied to as a tax payer.

I'm in the same possition, tryin to register my ht. That old smart guy isn't as smart as you think at technical service (DMV). He told me no motors on bikes period by NYS LAW. Please find me the citation of law that says this in NY. He might be right but I hav'nt found it yet. Although they like to think they can, our NYSDMV don't have thier own Assembly or Senate to pass laws! Our Legislators pass laws. Anybody having time, please call technical services NYSDMV(518-474-5282) and ask what Title and Section of NY Law prohibits motors on Bicycles. Please post the exact responce you get!!!

A previous post mentioned to have somebody else register it in another state and bring it back. GREAT IDEA but I thought of that and latter found NYS DMV keeps a list of certified class C manufacturer's.

These are the kind of loopholes we need to probe.

Nitro you'r not alone and I'm glad to find I'm not anymore! It will take all of us together to beat this, but it could be done. Please apply yourself.

I will be posting some posts from another board and hopefuly we can get together and beat this. My posts will contain the most factual info I have access to. New reader and entrys please take time to read previous posts on this subject

Here in NY it is legal to build a 6,000 lb car from nothing and get it registered at our DMV. It is legal to fabricate a "homemade" motorcycle and get it registered. It is also legal to build a bike trailer to haul your newborn behind your bicycle (uninspected). You'd be supprised at the number of idiots sticking thier kids in these things and going for rides in rushour traffic!

Today I called to register my homemade class c moped (under 20mph) and was dennied. Man on phone stated, Law says no motors on bicycles, period. I than asked what sort of material I should use for the frame? Man said Law does not allow for homemade class c mopeds. I replied "well they gotta be comming from somewhere"??? Man said I must be considered a licensed manufacturer of class c mopeds. I wasn't about to let him go that easy and asked "how might this elavated level of status be achieved by just an ordinary gent such as myself". He replied I'd have to contact the Federal D.O.T. TRANSLATION IN NY TERMS: Here ya go boy get the stick. The wild goose phone chase starts. (Not my job)(not in today)(busy)(leave a message we'll call you back)

I don't know if I should pose the following argument. I guess it depends how I feel the next couple days when I wake up. Given knowledge of the forementioned legal homade vehicles how does it make sense that our President of the USA is calling for us to conserve and NY is not allowing me to be legal although my moped fits thier specs? How is it we live in a day and age where every nickle we put in our gas tank supports the killing of our Countrys kids and I can't legally and safely get 100mpg!

Any help angles or suggestions in dealing with this nonsense is greatly appreciated. How do I become a licensed manufacturer, ect.

In conversation with NHTSA today, it has come to my opinion that pedal assist bikes are not motor vehicles by Federal Law. Anybody with first hand knowledge of this, please enlighten me!

If it's not a motor vehicle and the Fed's Laws trump State and local law, how is it possible to still get a DUI on a bike golfcart ect?

USDOT-NHTSA Washington D.C. 1-202-366-5302, giv em a blast and see what you find out!?!? They were very nice to me on the phone, Post the responce and don't forget Citation of Laws